Post by Taxigirl on Nov 15, 2003 11:29:00 GMT
England Under-20s warmed up for the World Youth Championships with a comfortable 2-0 victory over their Wales counterparts.
Manchester United forward Eddie Johnson bagged both goals for the young Lions while his strike partner Michael Chopra should have helped himself to a double at The Britannia Stadium.
Wales started in lively fashion with Adam Birchall, who is on the books of Arsenal, firing wide of the target.
But England gradually upped the tempo with Darren Carter having a low shot saved by Gareth Williams, although the Welsh defence was in stubborn mood.
Newcastle United starlet Chopra should have broken the deadlock just past the half hour after being played in by David Fox but he slid his shot wide.
England grabbed the lead just before the break after an almighty error in the visitors' defence.
James Collins barely headed the ball back to Williams, but the Welsh keeper then hesitated before slicing his clearance to Johnson, who confidently stroked the ball home from 25 yards.
Chopra could have doubled the lead before the interval but this time he was denied by a smart save from Williams.
On 52 minutes, England poached the decisive second when Chopra was the creator for Johnson to sidefoot into the net from 12 yards out.
Johnson then turned provider for Chopra but the young striker mistimed his header and failed to trouble Williams.
England now head off to the Middle East for the tournament where they will face Colombia, Egypt and Japan in the group stage.