ENGLAND U20 head coach Andy Edwards praised the Colchester crowd after seeing his side claim a convincing win over Germany.

Nearly 8,500 were at the JobServe Community Stadium to see the Young Lions sweep aside their opponents, at the home of Colchester United FC.

Edwards said: "The crowd were brilliant.

"It makes such a difference when we have a crowd.

"We played up at Chesterfield earlier in the season and there were 6,000, so Colchester topped Chesterfield in that regard!

"It was a really good atmosphere and the players want to play in front of crowds; they thrive on it.

"It was a good experience for them."

Goals from Sam Greenwood, James McAtee and substitute Tyrhys Dolan sealed England's under-20 victory.

Lazar Samardzic pulled a goal back for Germany with a deflected free-kick late on but it was the hosts' night.

"I thought we were excellent," said former Southend United and Leyton Orient defender Edwards.

"I thought it was probably the best we've played, this season.

"I thought we started with a real intent and got about the opposition and made it very hard for them to play.

"Our ability to press in the early part of the game was a pivotal aspect of our victory.

"The players showcased their abilities.

Gazette:

"We sustained that intensity; they had a couple of little spells but never really threatened our goal.

"We made a lot of changes towards the end, which can unsettle you and you lose a little bit of rhythm with it.

"But I thought bar the deflected goal, it was almost the perfect performance from us.

"Germany are top opposition and we knew that it would be a tough test.

"But the players have been excellent, over the last ten days.

"We played Poland last week and we actually played well but lost the game.

"It can be a little bit cruel sometimes and we got punished in that game but today, I thought we got our rewards."

Some of England's young players on show at Colchester have already played Premier League football.

The likes of Tyler Morton, Leighton Clarkson and Aji Alese have all played in the top flight, while other members of the under-20 squad are plying their trade on loan at EFL clubs.

Edwards added: "They're are mixed stages, really.

"Some are playing 23s, some are playing first team, some out on their first loans.

"It's a real transitional time for them, in many ways.

"I remember coming here three years ago and we had the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Aaron Ramsdale and Rhys James playing, on a similar evening to tonight.

"We won that game 2-0 when the performance wasn't good.

"I'm sure all of these lads will kick on with their careers and hopefully we'll see some of them in a full England shirt."