It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t very pretty.

Watching England labour through a hard and stressful 90 minutes against DR Congo was enough to put anybody off their Wednesday dinner.

But all that matters is that Thomas Tuchel’s England are through to the last 16 of the World Cup, to face Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning in the white heat of the Azteca Stadium – where the co-hosts have lost just twice in 89 competitive matches, winning 70 of them.

Their journey goes on, and here Daily Mail Sport examines all the big issues from a crazy afternoon in Atlanta.

The performance we needed? 

If England couldn’t have the dominant and comfortable performance we hoped they could against a team ranked just above Scotland, then maybe this represents a useful second-best.

A come-from-behind win can do all kinds for a team. Just think about how Brazil will be feeling after they turned it round against Japan at the weekend. Just think how Erling Haaland and his Norway team-mates will be feeling after a late winner in a tight game against Ivory Coast.

A come-from-behind win can do all kinds for a team. This is a little bit of what England will have now, the feeling that whatever goes wrong in a game, it can be overcome

This is a little bit of what England will have now, the feeling that whatever goes wrong in a game, it can be overcome. That can be very valuable fuel. England conceded a bad goal, almost shipped another, had a clear penalty ignored and then saw the DR Congo goalkeeper have the game of his life.

England were not at their best and could have folded. They were ragged at times. But England kept their heads and their belief and ensured that their quality and their experience got them through in the end. The coaches of Germany and the Netherlands would give an awful lot for some of that feeling as they settle back at home and await, in all likelihood, the sack.

Tuchel was right when he said after this one: ‘We have to have that mindset that if it is getting hard, it is getting hard, but don’t lose patience and don’t lose belief.’

Can Kane’s legs last? 

Harry Kane has been on the pitch for all but six minutes of England’s tournament so far and they were only six that didn’t matter, as Tuchel’s side closed out their 2-0 win over Panama in their final group game.

When England need presence and when England need a goal, he stays on, and usually is the man to deliver. At the moment his form is the best it’s ever been in a big tournament. He has five goals – only one less than Kylian Mbappe – and the winner he scored here was straight out of the great France forward’s playbook.

Wayne Rooney called him England’s ‘superstar’ and he isn’t the only former team-mate singing that tune.

‘When his back is to the wall, Kane is stepping up for his country,’ said Joe Hart on the BBC. ‘I love the aggression and fire in his face. He knows that wasn’t a good performance but when it needed to happen he produced a header in front of goal and then that last finish.’

What Tuchel must hope now is that Kane’s legs stand the pace. England will need him in the rarified atmosphere of Mexico City in the next round and that will represent a completely different test to the one England faced here.

When England need presence and when England need a goal, Kane (left) stays on, and usually is the man to deliver

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Defence still out of tune 

The broken record is still turning in the middle of England’s back four.

The defensive structure and understanding that has been a feature of England’s football under Tuchel has not travelled with them to America and the manager and his coaching staff are no closer to solving the problem. Tuchel – publicly at least – has been in denial about it but he can’t be any longer. The early Congo goal was a mess.

Why had the England defence allowed itself to be dragged over to one side of the field? Why didn’t Jordan Pickford save a routine shot low to a near post that should have been covered?

Pickford’s uncertain tournament goes on but his place in the team remains secure. The other two goalkeepers in the party – James Trafford and Dean Henderson – do not have enough international experience to be dropped in to this team.

There were other instances of vague panic, too. Centre-back pairing Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa were left shouting at each other after Yoane Wissa got between the two of them to prod Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross against a post moments before Kane had his big penalty appeal at the other end. Had that one gone in from the Newcastle striker, England’s World Cup would have been over.

Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi were all over the place at times against Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa

One-dimensional attack

England created enough chances here in Atlanta but the worry is that they all look the same. Until making a bit of a mess of Kane’s equaliser, the Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had a worldy. On another day, England would have been level before half-time. 

Equally, there has been a predictability about England’s attacking play at this tournament and it involves a series of overlaps and combinations between England’s full backs and wingers. It is as though England only have one idea – they put in 35 crosses from open play in this match, their most for 60 years in a World Cup match since a whopping 37 against Mexico in the 1966 group stage.

Where is the creativity further infield? Where are the neat passing moves needed to open up defences happy to sit in against the established nations in this World Cup? We haven’t seen Brazil and France rely only on balls from wide positions, so why should England?

Tuchel’s team – jeered at times by their own fans here – dominated possession but the truth is that when Congo did advance forward, they had a greater depth of ideas than their famous opponents.

Twice against Panama and here, finally, against Congo, England scored from a cross. That’s fine. It’s a strength. But they must have other ideas too.

Anthony Gordon puts in one of England’s 35 open-play crosses in Atlanta – their most in a World Cup match for 60 years

Tuchel’s dilemmas 

Does the England manager know what his best team is? With everybody fit, he probably does. But currently, with first, second and third-choice right backs injured, I am not at all sure.

After playing John Stones slightly out of position in the first game – he played him on the left side of a central pairing – he has completely ignored him. Despite the option of shifting Ezri Konsa across to right back and putting Stones back in, he went with Djed Spence again here and it backfired.

The Tottenham full back has pace to burn getting forward but it’s not enough. Spence doesn’t defend well enough to be an international full back and should not start a game in this tournament again. He just has too much to learn.

Here, after Tuchel made some timely and intelligent substitutions, we ended up with Declan Rice at right back and he then ended the game sitting on the bench applying ice to his left hamstring. There is a thought that Reece James may be fit enough for the Mexico game. My goodness, we hope so.

Djed Spence doesn’t defend well enough to be an international full back and should not start a game in this tournament again

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Jude Bellingham’s lunge on Nathanael Mbuku in the first half was late and reckless and fully deserving of the yellow card that followed

Best and worst of Jude

Jude Bellingham remains England best and most dangerous player here in America. He, along with Kane, is the one who looks as though his sheer will and force of personality can shape a game or a big moment.

Here also, however, were flashes of the Bellingham we hoped had been left behind. His lunge on Nathanael Mbuku in the first half was late and reckless and fully deserving of the yellow card that followed. Not long after, as frustration grew, he played a ball straight out of play and then started waving his arms at the team-mate it had been intended for. Maybe he was asking him to grow a foot?

We have said before that Bellingham is at his best when he plays on the edge. The problem with that is that over the other side of that edge lies trouble. With a minute of added time left, he gave away a completely unnecessary free-kick.

Lessons to be learned for everyone, no matter who you are.

This week has been the turn of Tadcaster Grammar School which staged its end-of-year prom for Year 11 at Hazlewood Castle.

Press reader Kimberley Jakeman, of Tadcaster, sent us photos of her son and his friends attending their Year 11 leaving prom at Hazlewood Castle on June 29.

Taylor, Amber, Darcy & Kaleb (left to right)

The photos show her son Taylor Goddard, aged 16, with Amber Rowsell, Darcy Rowsell, and Kaleb Mcsorley.

More proms photos:

As proms continue, we’d love Press readers to keep sending in their photos for us to share online and in The Press.

Taylor Goddard and Kaleb Mcsorley (left to right) year 11 leavers prom at Hazlewood Castle

Please send them – along with your prom story – by email to maxine.gordon@thepress.co.uk

You can also send your photos and all the information for the story straight to our newsdesk via an easy-to-use online form – just hit the ‘send now’ button below…

The annual procession of vintage commercial trucks, tractors, buses and more will be on the road and heading through the region over the weekend of Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12.

Fans of vintage transport and vehicles from a bygone era are in for a real treat this month when the Ayrshire Roadrun returns.

The annual procession of vintage commercial trucks, tractors, buses and more will be on the road and heading through the region over the weekend of Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12.

And you can get up close to these amazing vehicles as they’ll be on display at the Barony Campus, in Cumnock, before the convoy sets off.

There will be a static display at the school car park from 9am until 12noon.

The convoy will then set off and head through the region, making a pit-stop at Castle Douglas Cattle Market and then on to Portpatrick.

Spectators can see the convoy on the road at the following (approximate) times and destinations; Skares Road 12.05pm, Benson Smiddy 12.10pm, Dalleagles 12.15pm, Dalmellington 12.30pm, Carsphairn 12.45pm, St John’s Dalry 1pm, Ken Bridge 1.10pm, Corsock 1.20pm, Crocketford 1.30pm, Milton 1.40pm, Haugh of Urr 1.50pm.

The convoy is expected to arrive at Castle Douglas Cattle Market at 2pm when they will again line up for a static display, before leaving at 3.30pm.

The Roadrun participants are expected to be in Portpatrick at around 5pm on Saturday and they will be based at Galloway Point Caravan Park and at the Main Harbour.

On Sunday, July 12, they are due to leave Portpatrick at 11am and will follow the A77 to Stranraer, then head north to Maidens/Turnberry. They will then follow the coastal route to Ayr where they should be seen in the afternoon on the Promenade.

The annual event is organised by the Ayrshire Commercial Vintage Vehicle Club.

To find out more, or to join the Ayrshire Roadrun this year, get in touch with the event organisers on 07980 315932 or e-mail jsm@kerrandsmith.co.uk

By BEN WILLCOCKS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 18:25 BST, 1 July 2026 | Updated: 19:55 BST, 1 July 2026

Many fans were left frustrated after the BBC‘s coverage of England‘s round of 32 clash against DR Congo cut out unexpectedly for several seconds.

In the 53rd minute of the match, with England behind and fighting for a way back into the game after DR Congo’s early opener in the first half, BBC screens suddenly froze as Jude Bellingham collected the ball inside the penalty area.

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Over 15 seconds later, the screens returned to the sound of fans inside the stadium reacting loudly to an important incident, but BBC viewers were left guessing over what had happened.

Replays soon showed that Bellingham had shimmied inside the penalty area and forced an important save out of Lionel Mpasi.

Most fans, though, used it as an opportunity to criticise England’s dismal performance. 

One fan posted on X: ‘Disappointed the BBC feed just went off, even more disappointed its come back on…. #worldcup #england.’

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Many fans were left frustrated after the BBC’s coverage of England cut out at a crucial moment

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Fans took to social media to hit out at the BBC glitch after missing out on Bellingham’s shot

Many supporters joked that the blackout was better than watching England against DR Congo

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Another added: ‘The game is so bad the BBC can’t broadcast it any longer hehe #England #DRCongo���� #ENGDRC #FIFAWordCup.’

‘The BBC should left on that black screen. Better viewing than England playing,’ a third posted on X.

A fourth stunned fan said: ‘Did BBC glitch?!’ 

Other fans hit out at TV licences in the process.

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‘BBC want me to pay tv licence for it to glitch lol,’ an X user added.

Another said: ‘Did we just get a glitch from the BBC? Thank god for replays! We did pay for our TV licence!’ 

“Lucas was an affectionate and caring son who brought joy to so many people’s lives. As a family, we want to ensure his memory lives on.”

A grieving family have spoken of their heartbreak after their son was killed when he was hit by a car in Co Down last July and their desire to ensure his legacy is a positive one.

12-year-old Lucas Trainor was riding a scooter in the Strand area of Portaferry on July 8 when he was involved in a collision with a red Skoda Fabia. He died later from his injuries.

Lucas’s mother, Nichola Kelly, has opened up about losing her son and how they want his legacy to be about helping to prevent future tragedies. The family are hosting a special charity event this weekend to raise funds for a defibrillator in the Strand area of the town.

Nichola said: “No family should ever have to go through the unbearable pain of losing a child, but we want Lucas’s legacy to be a positive one, and a defibrillator in this part of Portaferry could save another person’s life.

“Those who were first on the scene with Lucas had to go into the Square in the town to access a defibrillator, and this took precious time due to the one-way system. With the number of people using the Strand area, we feel another device here is really needed.

“Lucas was an affectionate and caring son who brought joy to so many people’s lives. As a family, we want to ensure his memory lives on. If he were still with us, he would be right in the middle of the fun on Saturday.

Nichola urged the community to come out and support the event in memory of her precious son this Saturday. The aim is to raise £1000 for the medical device, with surplus funds going to the RNLI.

Lucas’s Legacy Run will see participants come together for a run/walk in memory of the popular schoolboy. The event gets underway at 1 pm on Saturday (July 4) from the Strand in Portaferry. A fundraising raffle will also take place on the day.

Nichola praised the RNLI for their efforts to save her son and the support the family have received from the community.

“Portaferry is a wonderful community, and the outpouring of love and support my family has received during the past year has been truly incredible. I would love to see as many people as possible come together on Saturday as we remember and celebrate Lucas while at the same time raising money for this vital equipment.

“Members of the RNLI were first on the scene to help Lucas therefore it is fitting that the surplus funds from Lucas’s Legacy Run goes to support the incredible work these volunteers do. I can’t speak highly enough of these people – they did absolutely everything they could to help Lucas, and we will never forget this.

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“Therefore, we don’t care if you run or walk on Saturday; we just want to see as many people as possible showing their support and making this a really positive community event.”

Entry fee on Saturday is £10 per person, while donations can also be made via a Just Giving page.

Peter Andrew Milligan, 51, of Ashmount Park in Portaferry, is currently on remand charged with 11 offences following the death of Lucas.

He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving, failing to stop and failing to remain at the scene of an accident and failing to report it. Milligan also faced charges over driving without insurance and without a licence, and of failing to provide a breath sample to police.

He was further charged with failing to stop, failing to remain at the scene and failure to report relating to a second crash which occurred shortly after the collision in which Lucas died.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter.

England fans were put through an emotional rollercoaster as the Three Lions fought back to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo for a place in the last 16 of the World Cup. 

An early goal for DR Congo left England fans fearing the worst, but two goals from Harry Kane in the second half saw Thomas Tuchel‘s men progress into the next round.

The action took place in Atlanta, Georgia, but the 5pm kick-off saw fans slip away from work to fill up pubs and fan parks across the country for the round of 32 clash.

Millions watched in agony at home along with tens of thousands in the Atlanta Stadium, as the central African side took the lead after just seven minutes.

An anxious wait to the 75th minute followed before skipper Harry Kane pulled level.

England then took the lead in the 86th minute as Kane smashed his effort into the roof of the net, to the relief and delight of screaming fans back home.

The 2-1 victory sets up a round-of-16 crunch showdown against Mexico – in Mexico City, at their home stadium the Azteca, scene of Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal.

It will be a seismic event unlike anything England has seen so far in this World Cup. More than a million Mexico fans took to the streets when their team beat Ecuador earlier this week with four people dying during the wild celebrations.

Fans in Manchester celebrate as England book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup

All smiles for these England fans as Harry Kane scored twice to see England beat DR Congo 2-1

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England fans celebrate Harry Kane’s second goal during a screening of the between England and DR Congo on Brighton Beach

England took the lead in the 86th minute as Kane smashed his effort into the roof of the net, to the relief and delight of screaming fans back home. Pictured: Fans in London celebrate England’s 2-1 win

The 2-1 win sets up a last-16 tie on Sunday against co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, one of world football’s most famous venues. Pictured: Fans in London celebrate England’s 2-1 win

England fans celebrate at the 4TheFans Fan Park in Brighton as England take on DR Congo in the World Cup 

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England supporters in Brighton react as they watch the England take on the DR Congo

Fans go from agony to ecstasy as Harry Kane scores twice for England

Fans in Brighton were seen celebrating as Thomas Tuchel’s men went 2-1 up in the game

England fans celebrate at BOXPARK Wembley in London as Harry Kane’s double secured a 2-1 win

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Supporters stand on tables with beers in hand as the Three Lions beat DR Congo

England fans celebrate at BOXPARK Wembley in London as Harry Kane’s double secured a 2-1 win

Celebrations at BOXPARK Wembley in London as Harry Kane’s double secured a 2-1 win

England fans in Atlanta enjoy the atmosphere during the World Cup round of 32 match between England and DR Congo

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Fans leaving the Atlanta Stadium following England’s victory against DR Congo

On the final whistle in Atlanta, nerve-shredded fans went wild with excitement, belting out Wonderwall and ‘Football’s Coming Home’ in the vast air-conditioned stadium.

Retired Civil servant David Delves, 60, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: ‘Kane is able! What a second goal that was. Unstoppable.’ 

Company director Michael Nobes, 64, from Portsmouth, added: ‘Crikey, they do put you through a lot of stress, I didn’t think my heart would hold out. Harry Kane, wow, just amazing – onto Mexico now.’

Supporter Mark Perkins, 45, from Liverpool, said: ‘Harry came up with the goods again, he is Mr Dependable, Mexico in Mexico City will be a very different game, a lot harder.’

Glen Harris, 66, from Lincoln, said: ‘We are here now – and going all the way to the final. I have booked six weeks and want to see us win the World Cup.’

Dominic Webb, 34, a software designer of Swindon, Wiltshire, said: ‘I’ll be dancing on the ceiling tonight, just buzzing. 

‘My whole trip – and it’s cost absolutely thousands – has been, for me, about getting to Mexico. Playing against Mexico in Mexico is going to be a complete dream.’

John Clift, 60, who is originally from Wigan but now lives in Australia, said: ‘I’m absolutely exhausted. That was 80 minutes of torture for me.

‘I thought we were slow, lethargic a lot of the time.

‘We had chances and missed them and you just thought it was going to be one of those days.

‘Thankfully we did it in the end but we made hard work of that.’

Another fan outside the stadium in Atlanta said he believed were going all the way in the tournament.

Spencer Dalby, 21, from Huddersfield, SAI: ‘What annoys me about is it takes so much time to tap into the belief.

‘Once we tap into the belief and the passion and the positive attitude – look at us, we’re unstoppable.

‘But you’ve seen it in the first and second game – we’re stale, we sit back.

‘Then, all of a sudden, we turn our engine on and look at us now, we’re going all the way honestly – and I’m going all the way as well.’

The victory means England fans face a wallet-busting scramble for flights and tickets to the Mexican capital for Sunday night’s game, which will kick off at 1am on Monday UK time.

Hundreds of pubs are applying for ultra-late licences to show to allow punters to pull all-nighters, with the potential for a 4am finish if the game goes to extra time and penalties.

Employers are bracing for a ‘mass sickie event’ next Monday morning as bleary-eyed workers sleep off the match.

Boxpark venues in Croydon, Wembley, Liverpool, Camden and Shoreditch are among hundreds of venues to obtain temporary licence extensions to give drinkers lots of extra time.

Tonight’s match marks the first time UK fans will benefit from a 1am nationwide late licensing extension, which will see pub doors kept open from 11pm to 1am.

The extra two-hour drinking window will see 14 million pints pulled in pubs and another 14 million drunk at home during the match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Some experts predict some staff will go further and pull a sickie on ‘Bunk Off Wednesday’ and dedicate their whole day to alcohol-fuelled pre-match partying.

The sound of celebration also swept through the grounds of Wimbledon as many of the grand slam attendees followed the moment on their phones while play continued on Centre Court. 

Murray Mound was filled with spectators whose eyes are on their mobile phones rather than the big screens showing the second round of ladies’ singles being played on Centre Court.

While those in the front rows remained focused on the tennis, further back, fans relaxed on picnic blankets with tablets, laptops and phones showing the game.

The first two-thirds of tonight’s match were desperate for England. Fans had their heads in their hands after just six minutes when 28-year-old DR Congo winger Brian Cipenga sliced the ball past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

DR Congo fans – vastly outnumbered by England supporters – went wild, filling the stadium with noise and dancing and singing in the stands.

In a nightmare first half, Jude Bellingham got a yellow card for a poor tackle and captain Harry Kane was denied a penalty after being flattened while on his way to goal.

Things started slowly for England and the central African side went into an early lead when The Leopard’s Brian Cipenga scored after seven minutes 

Head in hands: England fans watch on at Brighton beach as the Three Lions take on DR Congo

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Fans watch a screening of the World Cup match between England and DR Congo at 4theFans fan park at Central Park Brighton Beach

The DR Congo then almost got a second goal but hit the post, while shots on target by Bellingham and Kane were both saved by the Congo goalie.

The belated win was a relief for England’s sweating army of travelling supporters. 

They had followed the team on a 5,000-mile odyssey, from their sensational first game in Dallas, beating Croatia 4-2, then the draw with Ghana in Boston and New York for the 2-0 defeat of Panama.

In Atlanta, fans enjoyed the sweltering southern city to the full, turning the Hudson Grille bar into a corner of England belting out anthems Sweet Caroline and Football’s Coming Home.

At the Skol Brewing Company, England supporters even limbered up for the game by indulging in a spot of axe throwing, costing $26 a person. 

Project manager Dan Kraus, 49, from Middlesborough, said: ‘We thought we would give it a go. It’s completely mad. Can you imagine it at home? Axe throwing in a pub? Health and Safety would have a fit.’

In a refreshing change, beers in Atlanta are the cheapest so far in the World Cup. The cost is £6.55, a relief from the last stop, New Jersey, where it was £15.47. A slice of pizza is just $3, compared with three times more at other stadiums.

At the Hudson Grille England fans Adam Rathmill, 52, from Langley near Staines, Berkshire and Phil Barker, 45, from Peterborough, were downing Bloody Marys and pints of Guinness for breakfast with dozens of other supporters.

Diamond polisher Mr Rathmill told the Daily Mail: ‘I’d love to go to the next round or even the final but short of selling a kidney I just can’t justify it, my wife would go mad.

Company director Mr Barker, said: ‘Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are on form at the moment…Mexico in Mexico City, that will be really tough and I can’t see them doing it.

‘To be fair though, if they did win that one then I think they could go all the way but it will be hard because of the quality of the teams left in it. Argentina and France look really good.’

Electrician Ian Potter, 49, Nottingham, said: ‘Even if they get through to the final, I won’t go, the cost is ridiculous. I looked this morning and they had tickets on sale for £11,000, how on earth can I justify that, it’s madness, I will watch it on the TV at home.’

Fitness equipment salesman Adam Small, 48, Nottingham, said: ‘Everyone’s given the team a bit of a hard time but they’ve done what they needed to do. I’m very tempted to go to Mexico. 

‘I’m supposed to be going to the Dominican Republic on holiday next week so I might cancel that and go to Mexico City instead, I’m in two minds.’

Financial trader David Whitehouse, 48, originally from Birmingham but now living in Chicago, was with his son Charlie, seven, and said: ‘I grew up with football and really got into it with the 1986 World Cup and I’m throwing it at Charlie and he’s really getting into it as well. 

‘I will give Mexico a miss but I’m keeping half an eye on Miami if we get through.’

Jordan Pickford 4 – Should not have been at the near post. A poor World Cup overall.

Djed Spence 4 – He struggled in a struggling team all season… and has struggled here. No surprise.

Ezri Konsa 5 – Went unwittingly close to equalising with a deflected effort. Exposed defensively.

Marc Guehi 5 = He and Konsa just did not look on the same wavelength. England’s defence looked vulnerable.

Nico O’Reilly 5 – Just did not overlap, get forward or play anywhere near his level for Man City.

Declan Rice 7 – Got so much better when he switched to right back. Yes, really. Did such a big job.

Elliot Anderson 6 – For an hour, he really struggled and then got better when Rice went to right back and got more space.

Noni Madueke 4 – Got hooked after an hour when he offered little in way of cover or end product. Poor.

Jude Bellingham 7 – Twice denied from headers and another effort produced a stunning save. Tried so hard.

Marcus Rashford 5 – Was substituted for Gordon as he did not offer enough. Again, failed from the start.

Harry Kane 7 – Stepped up when England needed him most. Captain Marvel rescued England with two goals.

The development marks an historic milestone for the group and the wider Troon community.

Leaders at the 28th Ayrshire (Troon) Scout Group have spoken of their pride at taking ownership of their hall.

The group has announced that they have successfully purchased Troon Scout Centre and surrounding grounds from South Ayrshire Council.

And the development marks an historic milestone for the group and the wider Troon community.

Group Chair Craig Smith said: “Securing ownership of the hall and grounds is a transformational moment for Scouting in Troon.

“It gives us the stability we need to plan for the future, invest in essential improvements, and continue offering a welcoming, inclusive space for the whole community.”

The achievement follows an extensive fundraising campaign launched to secure the future of the buildings, which have served generations of young people and community groups.

The campaign, supported by local residents, businesses, former Scouts, and friends of the Group, raised more than £45,000 through community donations, sponsored activities, additional support and in kind contributions to enable the purchase, with a community valuation price agreed with South Ayrshire Council.

Founded in 1909, the 28th Ayrshire (Troon) Scout Group provides adventurous activities and personal development opportunities for more than 170 young people.

Scouting has operated from the current hall in the rear of the property since 1952, when Scouts, parents, and local tradespeople came together to build the original hall.

The hall was expanded in 1968, and in 2014 the Group also took on the former Youth Centre on a full repair and maintenance basis, leased from the Council.

Over the decades, the buildings have become a vital community hub, hosting a wide range of groups and activities including fitness classes, Irish dancing, Karate, Tai Chi, art classes, Skills Development Scotland sessions, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers, and Explorers.

The centre has hosted international Scout visits, birthday celebrations, first aid training, sports sessions, community events, and was the site of Troon’s first 24-hour public access defibrillator installed in 2019.

However, as leaseholders, the Group faced increasing challenges in financing ongoing maintenance and modernisation of the buildings.

Ownership is an essential requirement to secure grant funding and investment in long term improvements which will benefit many of the facility’s users, including installing accessible toilets and showers, and providing better sleeping accommodation for overnight activities.

Group Chair Craig Smith continued: ”We are deeply grateful to everyone who donated, shared our campaign, or supported us in any way, and of course to South Ayrshire Council and its estates team for their support and assistance in progressing the sale.

“With ownership now secured, the Group will begin undertaking priority works needed for repair and maintenance of the property. We will also commence the next phase of a longer term plan for future improvements (in consultation with the centre’s user groups, local residents and our young people), aiming to provide a high quality, flexible, adaptable place for Scouting, Guiding, and a wide range of community activities to serve Troon for decades to come.”

The Group continues to welcome support as it moves into this next capital improvement stage.

Anyone wishing to contribute or learn more can visit the campaign page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/28thAyrshireScoutCentreCampaign

Macauley Hughes, 29, was seen on footage headbutting a cage inside a police van before screaming at officers.

A drug dealer found in possession of cannabis and 2,000 tablets of bromazolam was seen on footage headbutting a cage inside a police van before threatening to murder officers. He later told police the pills he was found in possession of were “presents”.

Macauley Hughes, 29, was stopped by plain clothes officers from British Transport Police at Cardiff Central railway station on January 3, 2024. He was unsteady on his feet and there was a strong smell of cannabis coming from his jacket.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, June 18, heard Hughes was detained and searched by police. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.

He immediately became abusive and was handcuffed as officers carried out the search.

The defendant was found in possession of cannabis and 2,000 tablets of bromazolam.

Hughes was arrested and placed in the back of a police van but he violently headbutted the cage inside the van.

When an officer told him to stop, the defendant responded: “I swear on my daughter’s grave, I will murder you mate”, before continuing to headbutt the cage.

He later told police the pills were “presents” and when his home was searched he was found in possession of four bottles of illegal THC vape juice in his fridge.

Hughes, of Wellingtonia Close, Merthyr Tydfil, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs.

The defendant was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment.

Following the hearing, British Transport Police detective constable Liam Perry said: “Drugs are a blight on society, yet for Hughes this was business as usual. He used the railway to travel from town to town selling drugs.

“The fact that he was outraged that officers challenged him demonstrates the normalcy with which he regarded his criminal enterprise. I hope he takes his time behind bars to rethink his illegal activities.

“If you’re planning to use the railway to transport and supply drugs, we will catch up with you, and you will be put before the courts.”

Sergeant Shaun Thomas, of South Wales Police, said: “These illegal drugs have devastating consequences on the people further down the chain who end up using them, not to mention their family, friends and wider communities.”

“We will continue to investigate any information you have which could relate to the sale or use of these drugs.”

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