Zak Ansah couldn’t provide a Bonfire night firework as England edged out Northern Ireland on match day two of the SkySports Victory Shield. That said, they did claim another three points thanks to second half strikes from Blair Turgott and Matthias Fanimo at Chester City’s Diva Stadium.
Ansah improved on his substitute appearance last time out by partnering West Ham’s Matthias Fanimo up front against an Ireland side which boasted young Gunner Joe Jones at centre back. The banter had ebbed and flowed during the week and the battle between the pair would be fierce.
Northern Ireland settled quicker to task than England. After forcing a handful of early set pieces they had numerous chances to break the deadlock with Jones heading wide one of the better ones. A George free-kick caused havoc but back came the Three Lions with the leggy Blair Turgott doing well to keep the ball in before playing a lovely ball into the box which Ansah was just short of reaching.
The hosts failed to provide service for Fanimo and Ansah as the half came to a close and subsequently the attacking prowess of Kenny Swains side suffered. Half time brought mass changes with Nicky Barmby’s son Jack coming on in midfield.
Ireland were solid in the second period and could have taken the lead themselves if it wasn’t for England’s 14-year-old stopper making two superb saves. But as England pressured the visitors some more, they finally buckled. Turgott played a lovely one-two with Fanimo before clipping the ball over the advancing ‘keeper. A stylish finish from the West Ham man.
Northern Ireland continued to scrap for everything but Swains side were holding strong. Ansah was pulled off with 10 minutes left after having a poor game. The in form frontman badly lacked the service he needs to be able to do anything. His strike partner Fanimo was having a better evening however and he wrapped up the win late on from 12 yards.
England are now in full control of their own destiny and it seems like a formality that they will retain the Victory Shield. Ansah’s club mates Luke Chambers (Wales) and the aforementioned Jones (Northern Ireland) will be out to stop him.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Luke chambers plays for wales now? LOL i thought he was a hot prospect for England? Joe jones? isnt he English? His he a good centre back? cause we do need some good centre halves boateng and obed are terrible
I believe both Luke and Joe play for Ireland and Wales despite being born in England yep.
Joe is quite an old fashioned defender. Not very quick but tall and good in the air. He played decent tonight, not his best, but then again the game was quite poor.
anygame involving englands youth is poor im yet to see a good one.
anyone use the football talents site before? I was looking up Wellington on it. O know that sad. I’ll do anything not to study!
That 14 year old kid Raheem Stirling looks good.
Yes Kentpaul, he breathed some much-needed life into a very, very dull affair. In fact, it was he who was involved in both goals (Turgott didn’t play a one-two with Fanimo for his goal).
Zak was the main forward but the poor midfield of England’s couldn’t provide him with the necessary ammunition. That said, Fanimo did alright and took his goal well but the star of the show was the 14 year-old Sterling.
Apparantly all the top clubs are after him, and i would like to think that Arsenal would also throw there hat in the ring for this kid, because Raheem Stirling looks like he could be a bit special, and same goes for that Alex Henshall kid from Swindon Town. Because those two particular players and possibly Matthias Famino of West Ham United abilty wise aswell, have stood out like a saw thumb from the rest of them, P.S i feel a bit sorry for Zak Ansah because if he had last years U16’s central midfielders like Chucks Aneke, Josh McEachran, Ross Barkley and George Thorne supplying him with balls from the midfield, he would have been able to show alot more of what he can do, because apart from the three players i mentiond at the top of my post i personally dont think that squad wise this years crop of England U16’s football players from what i have seen, can hold a candle talent wise, to last years bunch of England U16’s football players IMO.
Arsenal would definitely know about him. Man City had Brian Kidd and Brian Marwood there watching him apparently. What i’d like to know is how the hell the commentators know that. I doubt he’ll go there at this stage of his career though, look what happened with Neita when he went Man Utd – Londoners don’t seem to settle too well up north. This kid might get snapped up by any of the London clubs though – or might not, for that matter.
I like ansah… anyone have any thoughts about him vs afobe? how close are they in style and potential? Also any further news on the Barcelona thing?
Ansah has shown that he is just a finisher. Without any decent support he looks very average I must say. Doesn’t hold the ball up well at all. You don’t really notice it for Arsenal because he gets loads of support. Prefer Afobe, Jimmy.
TJ – Neita and Nicholas are examples of this. They were both coming home on weekends to see their family and it doesn’t really work. I liked the look of Stirling and at 14 he could be asset for the future.
As for the Zak Ansah vs Benik Afobe debate from what i have seen of them Benik Afobe looks more well rounded as a football player, but like i said before he had much better central midfielders supplying with balls last year, but Zak Ansah so far has not had that same sought of luxury.
Yh to be honest i havent been impressed with ansah. josh rees though has impressed me surely he should be playing for our under 18s side.Also what the hell has happened to conor henderson he was looking really really good. Everytime i saw him for the under 18s he was superb him, freeman, frimpong
Kentpaul, when we discussed Alex Henshall at some other point in time, you said you thought he wasn’t anything special??? You changed your mind now then????
sideliner1
I think you have me confused with somebody else because i really like Alex Henshall as a football player mate.
Apologies kentpaul…..sure i’d had a convo with you about that lad. Again my apologies mate
Foodaycah
afof
Anyone noted how Alex Henshall has fared lately…..the boy is doing good :). Moved to Man City from Swindon and another call-up for the England Squad u 17’s for the Nordics Tour 29th July….fair play