Aston Villa star shines for England

Nov 19 2008

England Under-21 2 Czech Republic Under-21 0

GRAIG Gardner and Frazier Campbell both impressed as Stuart Pearce's preparations for the 2009 UEFA Under-21 European Championships began with a comfortable friendly international win against Czech Republic.

Tottenham striker Campbell, on loan at White Hart Lane from Manchester United, opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a smart finish from a narrow angle.

Gardner, who put in an assured performance in the centre of midfield, doubled the lead from a free-kick in the 55th minute and the margin of victory could have been greater had Jamie O'Hara not seen his second-half penalty saved.

Pearce has already stated his desire to include the likes of Theo Walcott, Micah Richards and Joe Hart, who have all been part of the senior squad, in his plans for the tournament in Sweden next summer.

And on the evidence of this performance England have shown that even if they are to be deprived of their stars that in Gardner, Campbell and Wolves winger Michael Kightly they have talent in reserve.

Pearce handed a debut to Wolves defender Richard Stearman while Manchester City's Nedum Onouha was given the captain's armband. Czech Republic coach Jakub Dovalil gave Southampton striker Tomas Pekhart a place in his attack.

It was England who took the lead in the 11th minute through Campbell with the first real opportunity of the match.

Goalkeeper Joe Lewis's long goal-kick went over the head of James Vaughan and Campbell was not picked up with an intelligent run round the back of the Czech defence.

The visitors failed to deal with the bouncing ball inside the box and Campbell took a touch before he cleverly guided his shot past Czech goalkeeper Jakub Divis and into the net.

Campbell continued to pose the most dangerous attacking threat and his jinking run in the 19th minute set up Vaughan, but the Everton striker snatched at his shot and blazed over the crossbar from close range.

The Czechs started to exert some pressure in search of an equaliser and midfielder Borek Dockal forced Lewis to tip the ball past the post in the 25th minute with a long-range attempt.

Pearce was then forced into a change in the 30th minute when Lewis was injured and subsequently taken from the pitch on stretcher clutching his leg.

The Peterborough goalkeeper was replaced by Frank Fielding, on loan at Northampton from Blackburn, who won his first cap for the Under-21 side.