13/6/09

“Unbelievable”, “unexplainable” and “amazing” were just three of the words that Lewes Under 18 players David Wheeler and Matt Whitehead used to describe their afternoon today.

Both players have been selected to play for the England Schools team and this afternoon saw the Invitation International against France at Wembley, with Wheeler and Whitehead making the starting lineup.

England lost the match 2-4 but their French opponents were all young professionals from clubs such as Lyon and Arsenal rather than a selection of Gallic schools, and the difference in standards became more evident as the game wore on.

Wheeler played on the right wing with Whitehead in left midfield instead of his usual left back berth, but after the French took the lead, a mistake by their keeper saw England draw level before half time.

Wheeler had one decent chance on goal but had lengthy treatment following a last ditch tackle to deny France the lead, and suffered a rib injury just before the interval which saw him replaced by Eastbourne Town’s James Norwood for the second half, with Norwood scoring soon after to put England ahead.

France had forged their lead by the time an exhausted Whitehead was replaced with 20 minutes left but by then the game was over as a contest and both teams climbed the Wembley steps to collect their well-earned medals.

After the match, Wheeler said, “It was an unbelievable experience. Yesterday I had 2 A2 Biology exams yesterday so I got here a bit later than everyone else and unfortunately had a little less time to prepare.”

“It was nerve racking this morning just thinking about the game but I got over it and once we got here, it was amazing. When we got into the ground it was unbelievable.”

Rooks team mate Whitehead was similarly impressed with his experience. “It’s been unexplainable. Words cannot explain just how it feels. It just takes your breath away. To sing the National Anthem for your country at Wembley...unbelievable is the only word I can say”.

“As a kid I used to watch games on TV and go outside and practice but I've actually done it now and it's better than I could have ever thought.”

Following his season with Lewes in the Blue Square Premier and the games he’s had representing England, Wheeler was quick to seek inspiration from his efforts.

“Playing these great stadiums this season has given me the confidence to play at this level”, he said after the match.

“Some of the French players today will be in the World Youth Cup and we've also played Villareal’s youth team.  This gives you a kind of perspective as to what you've got to aspire to and it doesn't seem to be a million miles away, which is quite promising”.