Watch out, James Beadle – and Jack Hinshelwood – are about for England Under 21s. The Brighton duo both made their Young Lions debut in a 4-1 win over Austria at Kenilworth Road.
Only once before have two Albion players appeared for England Under 21s in the same game. Solly March and Jake Forster-Caskey both came off the bench as 61st minute introductions in a 1-0 win over USA Under 23s in September 2015 at Deepdale. March replaced Nathan Redmond and Forster-Caskey took over from Dele Alli.
There have been occasions with multiple Brighton players called up together but it is rare to see two playing at the same time.
March and Christian Walton were in the same Under 21s squad against Denmark in 2017. Whilst March scored a stunner, Walton was an unused sub behind Angus Gunn and Jordan Pickford in the pecking order.
Dan Harding and Jack’s father Adam Hinshelwood were also named in the same squad back in 2004 but did not share a pitch.
Four years later and Adam would go onto score the greatest own goal in Brighton history, beating John Sullivan with a 30 yard back pass when Colchester United visited Withdean on Boxing Day.
Hinshelwood and Harding receiving call ups was a huge achievement given the Albion were battling relegation from the Championship, playing home matches at Withdean and using Sussex University as a training ground.
Millions of pounds is now invested in youth development. The players have some of the finest facilities in the country and Brighton are a big enough draw to hoover up top young talent from around the country. Beadle was signed for a six-figure fee from Charlton Athletic aged 17, for example.
Beadle is so highly thought of in England circles that he trained with the senior squad last week. Hinshelwood meanwhile has been delivering consistently in the Premier League since breaking into Roberto De Zerbi’s starting XI last December.
Hinshelwood and Beadle were two of several changes made by England Under 21 interim head coach Ben Futcher from Friday night’s 0-0 draw in Northern Ireland.
Beadle made one very good early save low down from a Christoph Lang free kick, setting the tone for an assured evening. He stood no chance with the Austria goal, scored by Thierno Ballo.
Morgan Rogers opened the scoring on 25 minutes with a confidently struck penalty. Ballo equalised from distance after dispossessing Alex Scott (Bournemouth midfielder rather than fit ex-Arsenal defence turned pundit).
England came out all guns blazing in the second half, retaking the lead after just four minutes. Aston Villa forward Rogers added his second from a clever Samuel Iling-Junior through ball.
Manchester City winger James McAtee made it 3-1 when volleying home a Lewis Hall cross and substitute Tom Fellows completed the rout from close range after another fine Hall delivery.
Hinshelwood played the entire 90 minutes at right back, further showcasing his versatility. He has started all three Premier League games for Brighton so far at left back.
De Zerbi said last season that he felt Hinshelwood’s best position – and where he would eventually end up – to be as a midfielder. Time will tell if that is the case.
This was at least a much more enjoyable experience for Hinshelwood than his previous visit to Kenilworth Road. He replaced the injured James Milner with Brighton having gone 2-0 down to Luton Town inside of three minutes. The Hatters wound up 4-0 winners.
Dad Adam had equally disastrous memories of the place. He was part of the Brighton side eliminated on penalties by Luton in the Paint Pot Southern Area Final in 2009.
The Albion blew a chance to make Wembley against the team bottom of the entire Football League. Micky Adams was sacked four days later.
England Under 21s are next in action when facing Ukraine and Azerbaijan in October. Beadle and Hinshelwood will both expect to be involved.
