Classy England Men's U17s see off Turkey in Chesterfield

England U17s got off to a winning start in the first of three games this week, with a 3-1 victory over Turkey U17s at the Proact Stadium at Chesterfield.

The Young Lions created a number of early chances as both Ryan Sessegnon and Mason Mount went close in the opening period. But it was Reiss Nelson who opened the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, as Jonathon Leko neatly threaded him through and the Arsenal forward coolly slotted home. 

England doubled their lead early in the second half as Leko went from provider to goalscorer, getting in behind the Turkish defence before outmuscling the Turkish defence and rounding the keeper to make it 2-0. 

It was then 3-0 soon after when Sessegnon was tripped in the box by the advancing goalkeeper, and Nelson took full advantage as he dispatched a cool penalty and all but confirmed England’s first three points in the Euro qualifiers.  

England continued to create a number of chances in the second period, with a number of neatly worked opportunities as both Leko and Mount went close, before Turkey pulled a goal back late on.

Steve Cooper’s side face Finland in Leek on Saturday (3pm kick-off) at Harrison Park, as they bid to qualify for this summer’s European Championships.

England (4-2-3-1): 1 Adam Parkes (Southampton), 2 Dujon Sterling (Chelsea), 5 Trevor Chalobah (captain, Chelsea), 6 Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham Hotspur), 
3 Jaden Brown (Tottenham Hotspur); 4 Marcus McGuane (Arsenal), 8 Andre Dozzell (Ipswich Town); 16 Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham), 9 Jonathon Leko (West Bromwich Albion) 10 Mason Mount (Chelsea), 11 Reiss Nelson (Arsenal).

Substitutes: 7 Dennis Adeniran (Fulham) for Mount 75, 15 Ben Morris (Ipswich Town) for Leko 70, 18 Samuel Shashoua (Tottenham Hotspur) for Sterling 75.

Not used: 12 Tolaji Bola (Arsenal), 13 James Cumming (Chelsea), 14 Edward Francis (Man City), 17 Martell Taylor-Crossdale (Chelsea).

Goals:  Nelson 37, 47pen, Leko 41

Head coach: Steve Cooper

Attendance: 2,749