Clean Sheet For Woodman

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Freddie Woodman kept a clean sheet as he played for England under-19s on Saturday.

The Newcastle goalkeeper started the European Under-19 Championships qualifier against Azerbaijan in Bayeux, northern France, and helped to the Young Lions to a 1-0 win.

But the trip to France has been particularly poignant for the 18-year-old, whose grandfather, Leslie Bates, was a sailor on a Normandy-bound minesweeper immediately before D-Day.

"When I found out where our matches were taking place I said to our team administrator that I had to go to Normandy," he told TheFA.com. "It is such a big thing for my family and I knew it would have meant a lot to me to go there, which it did.

"To stand on the beach where my grandad had fought during the war is something I'll take with me for the rest of my life. I sent him a photo of me on the beach and he sent me a message back saying he was proud of me. Just him saying that to me meant a lot.

"It's really weird to think that I'm here playing football for my country and my grandad was here fighting for his country not so long ago.

"But there's no comparison - he's the hero of my family. A lot of my family have gone on to have good careers in different areas but he's the person we all look up to."

Elsewhere in the same qualifying group, Olivier Kemen played the full game as France beat Denmark 2-0. Les Bleus and England meet in the final group game on Tuesday.

Adam Armstrong captained England under-18s as they beat Switzerland 6-1 in a friendly at Walsall's Banks's Stadium. The striker scored twice, including a wonderful free-kick.

Tim Krul and Daryl Janmaat were both unused substitutes as Holland's senior team drew 1-1 with Turkey while Moussa Sissoko watched France's 2-0 friendly win over Denmark on Sunday from the bench.

Academy defender Michael Newberry played the whole game as Northern Ireland lost 6-0 in a friendly against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar's youngsters.