The future's bright, the future's entertaining….#ENG U21s 4 Austria U21s 1. Kenilworth Road’s Oak Stand carries a large sign saying “History is made in Luton” and the future was also being shaped tonight. Morgan Rogers struck twice for #younglions, building on his superb #AVFC form and showing why he's being tipped for a senior call-up. He was the shining light of a fluid, inventive England Under-21 side.
The pathway to the seniors from the Under-21s is embodied and encouraged by Lee Carsley. This was only a friendly, but Austria were decent enough, especially the spindly, livewire Thierno Ballo. Rogers' pace down the left, cutting inside, was a constant thorn in Austria’s right flank. He’s powerful, too, shrugging off markers. Villa have signed well from Boro, and Rogers will only develop further under Unai Emery.
If Rogers was man of the match, England’s wealth of emerging talent was seen in a range of positions.
James Beadle, the tall #BHAFC keeper on loan to #SWFC, has already trained with the seniors, and made one magnificent save, dropping quickly to his left to repel Lang’s free-kick. Good distribution, too.
Jarell Quansah #LFC was an assured presence at centre-back, effortlessly easing Grgic off the ball one minute, the next dribbling past attackers, stepping into midfield to launch another attack. England even had a left-footed left-back on show, Lewis Hall #NUFC, who brought balance and assists.
James McAtee #MCFC impressed in his 71 minutes with his running and passing and it was his darting run that spooked Micheler into a rash challenge. Rogers, having stuttered in his run-up, drove the penalty high into net. With Douglas Luiz having left Villa, Rogers picked the right moment to show his ability from the spot (23).
England were briefly sloppy. Ballo exploited Alex Scott’s #afcb struggles to control an overhit pass and curled the ball around Beadle. The rows of scouts in attendance at Kenilworth Road were also present to assess Ballo, who started on the left, finished on the right, and moved inside to good effect. He’s well-known to England age-group sides having scored twice against U-17s – aged 14. Recruited by #CFC, nurtured by Jody Morris, prolific in U18s, but eventually released. Ballo looks like a strong breeze could knock him over but he delivered a gutsy performance and ended with a respectful embrace from Hall.
Rogers restored England’s lead (48). Sam Iling-Junior, Bologna on loan from Villa, traversed from right to left, angled the ball into the area and Rogers finished right-footed. McAtee then swept in Hall’s cut-back after more good work from Rogers (58). England’s entertainers hadn’t finished. Hall created a close-range fourth for sub Tom Fellows #WBAFC (80). The future’s bright.