Football: Platts ties up record

England Under-15. . .2

Bunn 46, Platts 80

France Under-15. . . 1

Massac 21

Attendance: 22,882

TOO many tyros have fallen by the wayside to read that much significance into notable schoolboy results such as this one at Wembley yesterday. But the contribution of certain individuals to England's record-breaking victory suggests that preparations for the 2002 World Cup are progressing well.

Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday will draw most pleasure from this Walkers Crisps International Shield success over the stylish French. Paul Ince, passed over by England at this level, watched admiringly as three junior members of Old Trafford's playing staff - Elliott Dickman, Mark Wilson and the exceptional John Curtis - shone along with Hillsborough's Mark Platts to give England their eighth win of the eight-match season, an unprecedented achievement.

England needed them to take responsibility as France, fluid and forceful in a sweeper-driven formation against England's predictable 4-4-2, threatened to humiliate Curtis and Co.

The visitors' 6ft libero, Philippe Christanval, stood literally head and shoulders above everyone, giving his team the platform and confidence to stroll gracefully forward. Technically more adept and intelligently patient, the budding Cantonas soon secured a deserved lead, a skilful build-up producing a 21st-minute opener.

Arnaud Ribas rolled the ball towards Lyon's Laurent Courtois, who rushed down the inside-left channel. Mark Gower, like Steve Davis a former Romford snooker champion, was left floundering by Courtois's sudden turn and sprint into the box. His low drive was spotted late by John O'Toole and Cedric Massac tapped in the rebound.

England, surprised but not dispirited, sought inspiration and it came from the defence. Neil Clement saw his volley cleared off the line by Jean-Joel Perrier. But Perrier quickly turned to champagne for England as Dickman, England's other full-back, surged forward down the right. This time the French defender missed Dickman's rising cross and Tottenham's James Bunn stroked in a 45th-minute equaliser.

England then escaped a certain penalty when the referee failed to notice that Mark Perry's foul on Sebastien Bertrand had occurred inside the area. Reprieved, Curtis marshalled his troops and drove England upfield. That commitment paid off in the last minute when Platts brilliantly curled a left-footed free-kick past the French keeper from 25 yards.

Afterwards the national anthem bellowed from the victors' dressing-room with all the might and belief of those who hope to represent England for years to come. Time and temperament will tell.

ENGLAND UNDER-15 (4-4-2): O'Toole (Sefton and FA National School); Dickman (Derwentside and FANS), Curtis (Nuneaton and FANS), Perry (Ealing), Clement (Solihull and FANS); Marshall (Bournemouth and FANS), Gower (Havering and FANS), Morris (Surrey and FANS), Platts (Sheffield); Bunn (Enfield), Branch (Liverpool and FANS). Substitute: Wilson (Scunthorpe and FANS) for Marshall, 55.

FRANCE-UNDER 15 (4-1-4-1): Landreau (Nantes); Christanval (Sarcelles), Perrier (Auxerre), Rodriguez (Montpellier Herault), Astier (St Etienne); Bresson (Nimes); Massac (Aixoise), Maurel (Toulouse), Courtois (Lyon), Ribas (Metz); Fidani (Nimes). Substitutes: Bertrand (Montpellier Herault) for Ribas, 55; Tosselli (Bordeaux) for Massac, 63; Jarrousie (Nantes) for Fidani, 73; Holler (Auxerre) for Astier, 78.

Referee: G Edgeley (Cheshire FA).