England Futsal claim two victories over Andorra

England Futsal enjoyed two victories away in Andorra as they build up for next month’s UEFA European Qualifiers. 

Pete Sturgess’s men headed to the principality for their final outings of the year after two convincing wins against Latvia in November. 

And goals from Ian Parkes and Russell Goldstein each sealed 3-2 victories over their hosts, who they’ll meet again in January in the Euro Qualifying group. 

The Three Lions last played Andorra at Loughborough in 2010, cruising to 3-1 and 5-0 victories, and they were able to maintain their record with two more confidence-boosting wins. 

A patriotic crowd greeted the teams for the first match, staged in the shadow of the Pyrenees, and it was the visitors who took the lead in the tenth minute through Agon Rexha. 

Andorra soon levelled, though, netting a fortunate equaliser to send the teams in all-square at the break. 

The Andorrans went in front with the half-hour mark approaching, but England were able to respond quickly to restore parity - George Nash with the goal. 

Then, in the final two minutes, Parkes fired home after some excellent work from Rexha, and it looked like England had snatched the win. 

But after conceding their sixth foul in the closing stages, the hosts were awarded a long penalty. It was left to James Dalton to come to the rescue with a fine save turning the ball wide of his post. 

The following night gave Andorra a chance for quick revenge and they took the lead with just four minutes played. 

England boss Peter Sturgess

England didn’t panic and a period of controlled possession was rewarded three minutes later as Dave Jennings tucked away a deserved equaliser following some good work by Luke Ballinger. 

Similar to the previous game, England accumulated a series of quick fouls and within a minute were behind again as Andorra netted a free-kick to make it 2-1. 

When an incisive pass from Ben Mortlock split the heart of the Andorran defence to find Ballinger, the Bristol City man slotted home to get England back on terms. 

They were now playing with confidence and in the closing minutes of the first half, after a couple of chances from Rexha were saved, England finally took the lead. 

Goldstein, who was only playing his second International, tapped home unmarked from a Stuart Cook corner with his first touch of the game. 

While England kept the home keeper on his toes in the second period, neither side could find the back of the net, and Sturgess’s team sealed their second win. 

England will now carry their current run of form in to the all-important UEFA Euro Qualifiers in the New Year.

England Squad 
1 James Dalton (Baku United), 2 Ben Mortlock (captain, Sheffield), 3 Agon Rexha (Baku United), 4 Richard Ward (Sheffield), 5 George Nash (Bristol City), 6 Ian Parkes (Bristol City), 7 Dave Jennings (West London), 8 Luke Ballinger (Bristol City), 9 Will Rooke (Loughborough Students), 10 James Webb (Loughborough Students), 11 Touluwa Sotonye (Reading), 12 Stuart Cook (Manchester), 13 Jordan Parker (Manchester), 14 Russell Goldstein (Loughborough Students)

Goals
Match 1: Andorra 2-3 England, Rexha (10), Nash (29), Parkes (38)
Match 2: Andorra 2-3 England, Jennings (7), Ballinger (13), Goldstein (19)