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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Alex Scott lifts Euros U19 trophy as Bristol City ace claims silverware in England's final win

Alex Scott got his hands on his first piece of silverware as the Bristol City starlet featured for 72 minutes in England's extra-time Euro Under-19 Championship victory over Israel.

The Bristol City wonderkid convinced manager Ian Foster to hand him the start following his brilliant 35-minute cameo against the Italians in the previous leg. With England staring down the barrel of a semi-final exit, Scott scored with his first touch when he headed home a corner before Jarell Quansah sealed victory eight minutes from time.

The 18-year-old couldn't quite have the same impact this time around, but that is also credit to the underdogs Israel who outnumbered the Three Lions in midfield leaving both Scott and his partner Carney Chukwuemeka with barely any space or time to make an influence on proceedings.

Scott was just one of three players representing his country from clubs outside of the Premier League, which is a testament in itself, including Ronnie Edwards of Peterborough and Daniel Jebbison of Sheffield United with the latter starting the game on the bench.

Scott was handed a brutal introduction to the game in the 9th minute when he felt the full force of a powerful strike straight to the side of the head as he crumpled to a heap on the turf before groggily making his way to the touchline before coming back onto the field.

Three minutes later, he risked the wrath of his opponents when he tenaciously launched himself into a 50/50 tackle. Israel weren't best pleased but it resulted in just a quiet word in the ear of Scott from the referee.

It was then Scott who was on the receiving end of a cruncher and Nigel Pearson would have breathed a small sigh of relief when the youngster returned to his feet after rolling on the turf clutching his shin.

Scott's most important contribution in the first half arrived just after the half-hour mark after Israel, who were proving they were no pushovers, worked the ball brilliantly inside the box. The strike came in from around 12-yards and looked destined to hit the net but Scott positioned himself brilliantly to head the strike out for a corner.

He was tasked with playing the deeper of the two midfielders with Chukwuemeka seemingly having more freedom to get himself forward. However, that often left Scott exposed and Israel were being afforded too much space to control the play with manager Foster seemingly reluctant to make the switch.

England were soon punished. Israel's confidence grew as the half went on and they were rewarded with a deserved opener when Glouch sensationally finished off a brilliant counterattack, fooling England's defenders with a deft turn of the body before firing past the helpless Matt Cox. It was actually Scott who was the victim of a lack of movement in England's attack, when he was crowded out by Israel's players and the referee, before losing possession as he waited for an option, allowing Israel to take the ball up the pitch.

Alex Scott battles to win the ball against Israel (Christian Hofer - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Israel's lead lasted 12 minutes when they were punished by some slack defending from a corner in the 52nd minute. A header back across goal was poked home by Manchester City's Callum Doyle from close range to spark the young Lions into life.

Scott was not at his brilliant best as City fans have witnessed throughout the course of the campaign but he still proved moments of quality including a brilliant pin-point long pass across the field to his team-mate looked to carve open the defence.

He was then asked to walk a tight rope for the final 35 minutes when he went into the book by hacking down the goalscorer after his team-mate Bynoe-Gittens needlessly gave away possession in the middle of the park.

In other moments of the game, Scott appeared to be growing increasingly frustrated with his team-mates perhaps guilty of not returning him the ball, often making wrong decisions that usually come with age and a lack of experience.

There was no real surprise to see his number go up in the 72nd minute, especially on a yellow card as he was replaced by Aston Villa's Tim Iroegbunam, ironically who was linked with a loan move to the Robins earlier in the afternoon alongside a host of Championship clubs.

While Scott's showing in the final may not have been the finest of his relatively short career, there is no doubt his stock has continued to rise throughout the tournament having started three matches earning rave reviews from those who have followed the competition closely.

Chukwuemeka came closest to winning the contest in normal time when his strike on the angle crashed off the post. Although it was the Villa starlet to bag the winner in extra-time when Harvey Vale's brilliant cross was bundled in by the midfielder from close range to spark wild scenes on the touchline.

Any hopes of a comeback were dashed moments later when Jacob Ramsey scored from close range to ensure England were U19 champions for a second time.

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