Barnesy beats Belgians

A GREAT strike from Hatters star Matthew Barnes-Homer propelled England C into the final of the International Challenge Trophy at Kenilworth Road tonight, writes Mark Wood.

All three fit Town players, Amari Morgan-Smith, Jake Howells, and Barnes-Homer were included in England’s starting XI and were to the fore throughout in an entertaining clash.

Steven Gregory and Josh Simpson stood out early on, but a misplaced pass by the AFC Wimbledon man fell nicely for Guillame Francois on four minutes and his ferocious strike was batted away by Seb Brown.

England did take the lead three minutes later when a defensive mistake was seized on by Barnes-Homer, pictured above, and one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois the striker kept his cool to lift it over the keeper with real aplomb.

Ziguy Badibanga saw a header well held on 13 minutes and Arnor Angeli had a good hit saved moments later as the Belgians continued to look dangerous.

Morgan-Smith threatened midway through the half but his effort went behind for a corner which Robert Atkinson headed just wide.

Angeli had a shot deflected wide as the visitors looked for a way back into the game and at the other end Simpson burst through but could only drive straight at Courtois. Gregory saw a well-struck volley sneak wide six minutes before the break while Lukas Van Eenoo whistled over at the other end.

Angeli had yet another fine effort well saved in the opening moments of the second half while Barnes-Homer replied in kind.

Standard De Liege midfielder Angelis had another pop that brought a good save out of Brown before curling a free-kick inches wide before the hour.

Laurens De Bock fired in a low effort as the visitors continued to search for an equaliser in an evenly poised game.

Morgan-Smith was withdrawn in place of Andy Mangan with 16 minutes to go before Thibaut Van Acker’s stunning strike flew just over.

Belgium were creating most of the chances with Badibanga again testing Brown before they made a treble substitution in a desperate bid to find an equaliser.

Barnes-Homer and substitute Mangan both had late efforts well blocked and England easily saw the game out to progress to the final where they will face either Portugal or Italy.

England: Seb Brown, Sam Hatton (Paul Bignot 70), Jamie Day, Robert Atkinson, Steven Gregory, Michael Wylde, Amari Morgan-Smith (Andy Mangan 74), Josh Simpson (Jack Byrne 85), Matthew Barnes-Homer, Max Porter (C), Jake Howells. Substitutes not used: Joe Day, Josh Coulson.

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois, Samuel Fabris (Thomas Meunier 79), Drie Wuytens, Joachim Van Dammel, Laurens De Bock (Jens Cools 79), Arnor Angeli, Guillaum Francois, Nill De Pauw (C, Thibaut Van Acker 46), Christian Kabasele, Lukas Van Eenoo (Koen Weuts 79), Ziguy Badibanga. Substitutes not used: Jo Coppens, Timothy Durwael, Leroy Labylle.

Bookings: Angeli 40; Wuytens 42, Howells 58; Fabris 75; Mangan 90+3.

Referee: Donatas Rumsas (Lithuania).

Assistant referees: Vytenis Kazlauskas and Dovydas Suziedelis (Lithuania).

Fourth official: Gavin Ward (Surrey FA).

Attendance: 2,315.

Man of the match: Jake Howells.