Geordie Boy Glory With England
By Nu Mad
Updated Wednesday, 6th June 2007
Born in Greenwich, but raised in Newcastle, "Geordie Boy" Steven Taylor was on the scoresheet in Norwich as England Under-21s hammered Slovakia 5-0.
Carrow Road, the place where Michael Owen made his one and only England Under-21 appearance some years ago, was the venue as Stuart Pearce's boys cruised to a 5-0 victory in their friendly over Slovakia in their final preparations for the European Championships.
England produced a superb victory with goals from Kieran Richardson, Nigel Reo-Coker, Steven Taylor, Tom Huddlestone and Leroy Lita.
The Under-21s are now unbeaten since 2005 as they head to Holland, although they have not had the same coach for five consecutive matches now.
England were ahead in the 35th minute. Ashley Young was tripped by Peter Pekarik in the penalty area and Richardson tucked away the penalty confidently.
The second goal came when Huddlestone swept the ball to the left flank to find Young. Leighton Baines eventually crossed and Reo-Coker volleyed home via a deflection courtesy of Michal Jonas.
The third goal came from Taylor, who stabbed home from close range from Routledge's cross from the left, while Huddlestone curled into the top corner to add a fourth and Lita kept his cool to add a fifth.
