Tough start for England

England’s Partially Sighted Football team lost their first two opening games at the European Championships in Nantes, France but will be hoping to make amends when they face Turkey next. 

Graham Keeley's team's first match in extreme heat was against their hosts France in front of a very vocal home crowd. After starting much the brighter team whilst dominating possession and creating some solid attacking moves, England’s good start was short lived with France counter attacking to take the lead.

Following the goal, England re-grouped and again enjoyed most of the possession as well as testing the French defence. With five minutes to go in the first half, a well worked England free kick saw the French goalkeeper beaten, only to have the wood-work come to his rescue.

The second half saw much the same as the first, with England dominating possession and forcing some excellent saves from the French ‘keeper before the hosts got a second goal against the run of play following a swift move from their own half.

England had a great chance to get themselves back into the game after the re-start when they were awarded a penalty only to see it missed.

The next five minutes saw England continue to press the French and create chance after chance. With four minutes remaining, England got the breakthrough they deserved with John McDougall beating a defender and finishing low and hard at the near post but unfortunately they couldn’t find a second goal to level things up.

England then faced the current world championships Ukraine in the early morning kick off and they again started the much brighter of the two teams, controlling most of the possession.

However, luck was not on their side when a blocked shot looped over the top of a stranded Dix in goal to put Ukraine ahead. With half time approaching though, England got themselves level after a corner routine led to Grant at the back post putting the ball away to even the scores.

Despite an even start to the second half, it was Ukraine who took advantage with 10 minutes remaining when a well worked move down the left hand side saw them manage to find the back of the net. England then pressed across the pitch and put their opponents under massive pressure, only for Ukraine to sit deep and hit England on the break again to score the third and final goal of the game.

Squad: Brendan Dix, Kyle Valentine, Dionne Grant, Ryan Kelly, Michael Kelly, Andy Lang, Steve Daley, John McDougall, Kevin Price, Nick Thomas.