BARNSLEY COLLEGE SPORTS ACADEMY STUDENT SCORES HIS FIRST GOAL FOR ENGLAND

Barnsley College student Rikki Popplewell scored his first goal for England Colleges FA in only the team’s second match.  

England took the lead just 15 minutes into the game against Wales School Boys at New Saints FC Wales through a fantastic individual effort by Rikki from 20 yards. Just minutes later Barnsley College Sports Academy student Luke Danville also had a great opportunity to increase the lead with a powerful header from a corner, which went just over the crossbar.

Straight from the corner, Wales went up the field to equalise from the penalty spot.  England was the stronger of the two home nations and against the run of play Wales scored their second.  Shortly after, England were patient in their build up and switched play with a great a ball to the England left side player who delivered a great ball for England to equalise. In the second half, as England pushed forward for a winner, Wales were able to break and caught England on the counter attack to make the final score 3-2 to Wales.

Barnsley College’s Sports Academy Manager, Mark Ryan said “Rikki and Luke started the game brightly and played really well.  Luke looked comfortable at centre back, playing out from the back as instructed by the coaching team.  Rikki caused some real problems dropping short and linking play up with the midfield and forwards, plus getting the team into an early lead by scoring his first goal for England is a real achievement. It was really good to see both Luke and Rikki starting for England and playing really well. They definitely gave the England coaching staff some food for thought for when they tour Italy in three weeks time.