Darren McQueen’s double gives England C victory against Panjab FA

Pic: David Loveday

PANJAB FA 1
(Virk 55)

ENGLAND C 2
(McQueen 34, 62)

DARREN MCQUEEN scored twice as an inexperienced England C team beat Panjab FA in a landmark friendly.

The showpiece event, the first to pit a south Asian ‘national’ team against an England side, was played in good spirits at Solihull Moors’ Damson Park.

For England it was all about getting minutes under their belt ahead of the International Challenge Trophy final in Slovakia later this year – and promote diversity and The FA’s ‘For All’ campaign.

Right from the off, tackles were flying in with Panjab making it clear they wouldn’t be giving Paul Fairclough’s men an easy ride.

Maidstone’s Bobby Joe-Taylor had the first shot of the game early on but flashed his left-footed strike well wide of Ash Malhotra’s post before Rushall Olympic striker Gurjit Singh fired over for Panjab.

Goalkeeper James Montgomery, the only England C player to have previously been called up, got his first touch of the ball in the 17th minute, holding Amarnir Sandhu’s tricky deflected effort.

Two minutes later, Raspal Virk did well to get his head to the ball twice and set Gurjit Singh down the left-hand side. He cut in and after having a shot blocked, his second strike from the edge of the penalty area fizzed over.

But England responded instantly. Panjab keeper Malhotra, who plays for Evo-Stik NPL Premier side Stourbridge, got caught in possession, the ball fell to Fejiri Okenabirhie but, after steadying himself, the Dagenham winger curled his shot well over the bar.

James Alabi then thought he had won a penalty in the 23rd minute. The striker was played through by Taylor, he rounded Malhotra and went to ground but the only thing he got was a booking for simulation.

Darlington full-back David Ferguson was showing his worth and made a fantastic run down the England left, crossed deep for Alabi whose header was met by Darren McQueen but his headed effort was straight at Malhotra.

The diminutive forward didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity, however, and he put Non-League’s Three Lions ahead in the 34th minute.

Alabi again was on hand to put him in on goal with a neat through ball, McQueen used his pace to race clear and he lifted his effort over the advancing Malhotra.

England were the better side heading into the interval but Panjab got back on level terms ten minutes after the restart.

Rajpal Virk was brought down by Ryan Croasdale 25 yards out, Gurjit Singh’s free-kick was parried by Montgomery and Virk did well to fire in the loose ball.

The Three Lions should have equalised five minutes later but Alabi couldn’t control McQueen’s brilliant cross when just ten-yards out.

McQueen, a livewire all day, then reclaimed the lead for Fairclough’s side. Ferguson put in a brilliant low cross after some last ditch Panjab defending and the forward hooked his effort into the far corner via a deflection.

He should have had his hat-trick too. Panjab sub Glenvir Hayer’s header back to Malhotra was way too short but McQueen dragged his effort straight at the keeper.

Panjab pushed forward in a bid to get back into the game and Keaton Wood did brilliantly to head Gurjit Singh’s looping cross off the line with attackers waiting.

Kidderminster striker Joe Ironside, a second-half substitute, curled just over the bar and fired into the side netting in stoppage time as England saw out the remaining few minutes.

Non-League’s Three Lions now head to Jersey for another friendly on Tuesday night.

MATCH STATS

Panjab / England C

Shots on: 2 / 3
Shots off: 3 / 7
Corners: 2 / 3
Offsides: 2 / 3
Fouls: 5 / 17
Yellows: 0 / 1
Reds: 0 / 0

PANJAB FA (4-2-3-1): Malhotra (Gill 79), T Singh (Athwal 73), Arjun Purewal, Basi (Hayer 62), Dhillon; Minhas, Virk; Sandhu (Bhandal 31), Riaz, G Singh, Amar Purewal

ENGLAND C (4-2-3-1): Montgomery; Wood, Howe (Tunnicliffe 88), Lokko, Ferguson; Mafuta (Powell 65), Croasdale; Okenabirhie, McQueen (Ironside 82), Taylor (Carline 85); Alabi (Ferrier 73)
Subs not used: Fitzsimons, Vince

Star Man: Darren McQueen (England C)
Match Rating: 4/5