West Ham United’s Reece Oxford scored the opening goal in England U17’s 3-1 win over Slovenia on Monday 23 March.
The talented centre-back, who also captained the Three Lions, headed Nathan Holland’s corner powerfully past Slovenian goalkeeper Rok Vodisek in the 20th minute.
In an entertaining encounter, both sides had opportunities to score and it was Everton’s Holland who turned from provider to scorer as he drilled a shot past Vodisek after a neat one-two with Chris Willock.
England wrapped up the victory before the half-time whistle as Slovenian defender Matija Rom inadvertently sliced Holland’s cut-back into his own goal.
With England in control, the visitors continued to plug away and their efforts were rewarded when captain Jan Mlakar’s looping header beat Paul Woolston with 15 minutes remaining.
The win is the U17s fifth in as many games and with qualification for the European Championships held in Bulgaria assured, their final game is against Romania on Thursday 26 March.
England U17: Paul Woolston; James Yates, Reece Oxford (C), Easah Suliman, Jay DaSilva: Tom Davies, Daniel Wright; Nathan Holland (Lukas Nmecha 64), Chris Willock (Will Patching 48), Layton Ndukwu (Marcus Edwards 54); Kazaiah Sterling
Scorers: Oxford 20, Holland 36, Rom (O.G) 38
Slovenia U17: Rok Vodisek; Matija Rom (Rok Buzinel 40), Luka Gucek, Oscar Cvjeticanin, Sven Karic Sostaric; Vitja Malencic, Sandi Ogrinec (Dejan Petrovic 40), Kristjan Sredojevic (Gaber Petric 67); Jacob Novak, Timi Max Elsnik; Jan Mlakar (C)
Scorer: Mlakar 65
The talented centre-back, who also captained the Three Lions, headed Nathan Holland’s corner powerfully past Slovenian goalkeeper Rok Vodisek in the 20th minute.
In an entertaining encounter, both sides had opportunities to score and it was Everton’s Holland who turned from provider to scorer as he drilled a shot past Vodisek after a neat one-two with Chris Willock.
England wrapped up the victory before the half-time whistle as Slovenian defender Matija Rom inadvertently sliced Holland’s cut-back into his own goal.
With England in control, the visitors continued to plug away and their efforts were rewarded when captain Jan Mlakar’s looping header beat Paul Woolston with 15 minutes remaining.
The win is the U17s fifth in as many games and with qualification for the European Championships held in Bulgaria assured, their final game is against Romania on Thursday 26 March.
England U17: Paul Woolston; James Yates, Reece Oxford (C), Easah Suliman, Jay DaSilva: Tom Davies, Daniel Wright; Nathan Holland (Lukas Nmecha 64), Chris Willock (Will Patching 48), Layton Ndukwu (Marcus Edwards 54); Kazaiah Sterling
Scorers: Oxford 20, Holland 36, Rom (O.G) 38
Slovenia U17: Rok Vodisek; Matija Rom (Rok Buzinel 40), Luka Gucek, Oscar Cvjeticanin, Sven Karic Sostaric; Vitja Malencic, Sandi Ogrinec (Dejan Petrovic 40), Kristjan Sredojevic (Gaber Petric 67); Jacob Novak, Timi Max Elsnik; Jan Mlakar (C)
Scorer: Mlakar 65