England C overcome Estonia U23s at The Shay

England C ended their International Challenge Trophy campaign on a high by seeing off Estonia U23 at The Shay Stadium.

Boss Paul Fairclough said before the game that he was determined his side would not finish bottom of their ICT group following their elimination last month.

Non-League’s Three Lions had lost their first two group games to Slovakia and Turkey, but made amends in front of a healthy crowd of 2,388 in Yorkshire.

Solihull Moors’ Omar Bogle has been in good form in this season’s Conference North, and the striker took less than five minutes to score on his C debut.

Andy Yiadom crossed from the right and Bogle nipped in front of his man to turn the ball into the net.

England’s good start continued when Harry Beautyman forced Matvei Igonen into a good low save and Chey Dunkley headed wide moments later.

The home side were getting joy on both flanks. 

Forest Green Rovers winger Elliott Frear broke clear before delivering an inviting cross, but a full-stretch Bogle was unable to direct the ball towards goal.

Omar Bogle of Solihull Moors celebrates

Estonia, who were also out of the competition before the game, equalised against the run of play just after the half-hour.

Brent Lepistu picked the ball up on the right and curled a gorgeous shot over Ebbsfleet goalkeeper Brandon Hall.

Beautyman could not get on the end of Kinglsey James’ low cross as England went in search of an instant response.

But the Welling playmaker was celebrating soon after. 

The Three Lions broke at pace, Frear whipped in a cross, Bogle cushioned the ball into Beautyman’s path and he fired England back in front.

2,388 England fans watch England C at The Shay

Yiadom was a continuous threat, and he extended England’s lead on 66 minutes. 

James won the ball in midfield and released the pacey Barnet man. 

He drove into the box and rifled the ball high beyond Igonen.

Chester midfielder James then got a piece of the action himself when he headed into the top corner for 4-1.

There was time for Estonia substitute Martin Kase to cut the deficit with a penalty, but it could not dampen England’s impressive night in Halifax.

England C: Hall, Halls, Dunkley, Parkes, Brown, Yiadom, James (Pearson 85), Nolan (Gallagher 80), Frear, Beautyman (Jennings 80), Bogle (Burrow 67)

Substitutes: Ollerenshaw for Hall 90; Pearson for James 85; Gallagher for Nolan 80; Jennings for Beautyman 80; Burrow for Bogle 67.

Goals: Bogle 5, Beautyman 42, Yiadom 66, James 79

Head coach: Paul Fairclough

Estonia U23: Igonen, Aloe, Vihmann, Kaldoja, Reintam, Lepistu, Kauber (Sobstenko 73), Elhi (Gussev 64), Tjapkin(Kase 64), Prosa (Junolainen 83), Sinilaid.

Substitutes: Sobstenko for Kauber 73; Gussev for Elhi 64; Kase for Tiapkin 64; Junolainen for Prosa 83.

Subs not used: Aland, Avilov, Kaljumae

Goals: Lepistu 32, Kase 84