Afobe on target as England retain Victory Shield

Arsenal striker Benik Afobe continued his superb scoring record for England under-16s by scoring the opener in a 2-0 victory over Scotland last night, ensuring that the Three Lions secured the SkySports Victory Shield for the eighth successive season.

Victories over Northern Ireland and Wales meant that Kenny Swain’s side only needed a draw against the Scots to claim the trophy. Afobe started up front again having scored three goals in his previous two games and safe in the knowledge that a brace would see him equal Michael Owen’s record for the most goals scored by one player in the competition.

Foggy conditions greeted the two sides at Lincoln’s Sincil Bank and it took just eleven minutes for Afobe and England to get off the mark. The Three Lions won a corner on the right, and Benik positioned himself directly in front of the opposition ‘keeper. Aziz Deen-Coteh delivered the set-piece and Afobe, unmarked, rose to head home his fourth goal of the tournament.

Shortly after the break, Ipswich Town striker Connor Wickham doubled England’s advantage and put the game-and the trophy- beyond the reach of the Scots.

But the tournament belonged to Afobe. There have been some impressive performance from the England boys this year, including the likes of Louis Laing and Luke Garbutt, but for me Afobe has definitely been the most impressive.

Fellow Arsenal youngsters Chuks Aneke and Josh Rees both featured in the tournament as well and there will be more chances for them to impress with the regular Montaigu Tournament scheduled for 2009.