Elding puts England ahead

Anthony Elding, the Stevenage striker, put England ahead in their Four Nations game against Ireland this evening. He scored in the 69th minute.

Three Hereford players started and Stanley came on late in the game.

The match finished 1-0 to England.

The goal came after 68 minutes following a corner from the right by Nicky Bailey. It seemed as if he had over-hit the cross but Elding succeeded in hooking the ball back towards goal from outside the far upright.

Ireland's goalkeeper Mark McNulty tried to reach backwards as the ball looped over his head but he found he was restricted by the close proximity of an English player and he could not prevent it dropping under the bar.

It was a rather fortunate winner and ironically immediately followed one of the high-points of a game that was too tight and competitive to allow the football to flow.

The corner resulted from an heroic dash by Ireland full-back Brian Gannon to overtake England's D. J. Campbell as he raced on goal and he slid the ball outside for a corner just as the English striker was about to shoot.

Bull was outstanding for England and his quick advance and brave dive denied Ireland substitute Barry McGrory as he ran clear and was about to hit Long's headed pass in the 81st minute.

A word of praise for Welsh referee, Mr. Neil Morgan. He was quick and decisive and his decisions were well transmitted to players and spectators alike.

England: Bull (Aldershot Town); Travis (Hereford Utd), Yakubu (Barnet), Charnock (Northwich Victoria), Robinson (Hereford Utd); Bailey (Barnet), Sinclair (Barnet), Kerr (Scarborough), Elding (Stevenage Borough); Stansfield (Hereford Utd), Campbell (Yeading).

Subs: Haslam (Halifax Town) for Travis 77; Taylor (Exeter City), for Stansfield 79; Stanley (Hereford Utd) for Bailey 88.


UPDATE:

Simon Travis was stretchered off last night with a possible Rib/Pelvic injury.

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