Chaplow returns as captain
Last updated : 09 October 2005 By Tony Scholes
 | Richard Chaplow - back at the Turf as England captain |
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Richard scored the only goal of the game that day but a lot has changed in that year, he is no longer a Burnley player but has retained his place in the international squad and was today given the chance to lead them out against the same Dutch opponents.
It wasn’t the best of returns for him, and he didn’t have the best of games in an England midfield that often gave the ball away too cheaply, but for another former Burnley player Gary Cahill it was a very impressive return. He was up against Fulham’s Collins John and to be honest gave the Premiership striker little opportunity all afternoon. Gary was beaten once in the second half when a Dutch midfielder went past him but it stood out, so good was he throughout the game.
Overall it was not the most exciting of games in the first half but certainly improved after half time after Holland took the lead with a long range shot that took a deflection.
But England came back via two free kicks to go in front. The first was fired in from around twenty yards by Sunderland's Grant Leadbitter and the second, after a foul on Chappy, was a superb header from Dexter Blackstock the Southampton striker from the free kick taken by Ryan Smith.
Smith was probably the best, and certainly the most exciting, player on view today. The Arsenal youngster looks to have a bright future ahead of him and he received an excellent ovation when he was substituted late in the game. It was just after Holland grabbed their equaliser after a dreadful mistake by substitute goalkeeper David Martin. A draw was probably a fair result.
It will be interested to see how many of those who played today go on to play at full international level in the future. Those teams were,
England: Scott Flinders (David Martin 45), Phil Ifil (David Raven 75), Gary Borrowdale, Gary Cahill, Martin Cranie, James Morrison (Will Hoskins 62), Richard Chaplow, Grant Leadbitter, Ryan Smith (Lee Croft 82), Neil Kilkenny (Ian Henderson 45), Daniel Graham (Dexter Blackstock 45).
Holland: Job Butlers, Dustley Mulder (Milano Koenders 86), Mark Otten (Kemy Agustien 75), Tom Zoontjes, Ferne Snoyl, Robbert Schilder, Tim Vincken (Otman Bakkel 70), Rick Kruys, Harris Medunjanin (Prince Rajcomar 86), Wesley Verhoek, Collins John.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (Leeds).
Attendance: 6,851.