Harper skippers England to Scotland draw
Written by Allen Cooper on Wednesday 5th August 2009

England 2-2 Scotland

Barnsley Supporters FC captain Jon Harper twice led an England fight back against rivals Scotland to ensure that the Three Lions retained the IFA International honours following last year's victory.

The Reds skipper was selected in Joe Roebuck's squad last month but was further rewarded for his fine form this season when he was named as captain just moments prior to the big game.

A number of key drop outs meant there were a number of changes to Roebuck's initial squad, and this was not helped by the M1 traffic which put paid to the chances of two of West Ham's participants making kick off.

Harper began the game in the centre of midfield alongside Bury enforcer Gaz Reynolds which meant he played more of a forward role than accustomed to in the Barnsley side.

England started the game well and Burnley forward Richard Davies had a decent early effort saved by his club colleague Will O'Neil in the Scottish goal.

It was Harper who was next to test O'Neil, hitting a 25 yard shot well but the keeper made good ground to his left to palm the ball away to safety.

Scotland were looking dangerous on the break and it took an excellent challenge from Halifax defender David Thompson, at the ripe old age of 42 to deny the visitors' their first opportunity.

The first big moment of the game came when another Scottish break resulted in a free kick being awarded around 25 yards from goal. As Peterborough goalkeeper James Mortlock was arranging his wall, Dundee United's midfielder turned striker HOMER stepped up and slotted the ball into the unguarded corner of the net. England's protests at the quick taking of the kick were waved away by the referee and the goal stood.

The frustration began to tell as defender Thompson then received a yellow card for a late tackle to slightly tarnish his impressive start to the game.

England were stung into this action by these setbacks though and almost equalised immediately but the lively Davies was once against thwarted at the last by the Scottish defence.

It was only a temporary reprieve though, as DAVIES picked the ball up 40 yards from goal on the right wing and left three defenders in his wake as he moved in on goal, before coolly lifting the ball over O'Neil to draw the teams level.

Scotland weren't going to lie down though, and before the home side could gather their thoughts and go again, they fell behind for the second time. England failed to clear their lines and Hearts' Steve JACKS swept home a wonderful shot from 20 yards.

Harper celebrates England's first equaliser with scorer Richard Davies.

HALF TIME: England 1-2 Scotland

England made a couple of half time changes, with Burnley midfielder Brad Mansell replacing Reynolds in midfield and Fulham's Michael Phillips replacing Sheffield United's Tom McCaig on the wing.

The Three Lions started the second half really well and began to dominate proceedings with Harper and Mansell asserting themselves in midfield and Phillips adding an extra spark out wide. A number of corners came to nothing before they were handed a real break. Davies broke into the penalty area once more before being tackled illegally from behind. The man in the middle had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

It was Mansell who shouldered the responsibility, but the yellow booted Clarets star saw his penalty well saved by his club stopper O'Neil.

This setback did not take the wind out of England's sails though, and Kidderminster's David Greaves tried the spectacular from a right wing cross but his overhead kick fizzed wide of O'Neil's right hand post.

England continued to cause problems, not least from centre back Ollie Sewell's superb long range distribution, with Davies and Greaves sniffing for any opportunities. Harper almost got a through ball to the former but it just skipped off the surface and through to O'Neil.

The incessant pressure from the hosts finally paid off when midfield maestro MANSELL made up for his earlier faux pas from the spot by hitting a wonderful shot past O'Neil from 25 yards with just minutes remaining.

Both sides could have won it and Scotland were by no means out of it, with one particularly blinding save from Mortlock catching the eye to ensure that the honours remained even and that England retained the trophy.

Reds' skipper Jon Harper was quick to pay tribute to the people that made his international debut possible: "I'm really grateful to Allen (Cooper, Barnsley manager) for putting me forward for selection and to the England management for believing in me. It was obviously an extra honour to captain the side.

"All the Barnsley lads have been fantastic in their support for me, when it could easily have been any one of them who got the call.

"My family were really proud of me and I'm sure my Grandma, who passed away recently, would have been too."

Handshakes all round as England and Scotland share the honours.

Teams:

England: James Mortlock (Peterborough), Jamie Parkins (Watford), Ollie Sewell (Kidderminster), David Thompson (Halifax), Mark Hothersall, Gaz Reynolds (both Bury), Jon Harper (captain, Barnsley), Sam Miles (West Ham), Tom McCaig (Sheffield United), Richard Davies (Burnley), David Greaves (Kidderminster).
Subs: Ben Fishwick (Bury), Brad Mansell (Burnley, for Reynolds at half time), Michael Phillips (Fulham, for McCaig at half time)

Scotland: Will O'Neil (Burnley), Michael Rodgers (St Johnstone), Grant Taylor, Raymond Guidice (both Dunfermline), Steve Jacks, Alan Smith (both Hearts), Nick Elder (St Johnstone), Craig Browning, Jamie Borthwick (both Hearts), Homer (Dundee United), Dale Walker (St Johnstone).
Subs: Neil Henderson (Dunfermline), Brian Copeland (QPR)

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