Nathan Trott, the West Ham United first choice Under 23 stopper, was on the bench with Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks as England Under 20s recorded a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Italy’s equivalent youth side.
Another West Ham United defender Reece Oxford currently on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, completed 80 minutes for the young Lions in Gorgonzola as they ran out comfortable winners in the international friendly.
The defender started while England took the lead after just five minutes when Benfica forward Chris Willock – who joined the Portuguese outfit after leaving Arsenal this summer – broke the deadlock.
Italy were back on level terms ten minutes later though, Cesena man Guiseppe Panico equalised.
Tottenham Hotspur man Marcus Edwards ensured England regained the lead on 22 minutes however, and the visitors added a third ten minutes before the break through FC Twente’s Isaac Buckley-Ricketts.
Then, two goals in four minutes courtesy of captain Easah Sulliman – a defender – and Barnsley’s Ike Ugbo ensured the young Lions would see out the win.
Oxford was replaced – after being booked – by Charlton Athletic defender Ezri Konsa with ten minutes remaining, but the win marked his fourth appearance for the Under 20’s in total.
|