Scott Kirkwood has already helped England to a Euro final.

With Sven Goran Eriksson revving up the seniors in Portugal, Kirkland was in the English Colleges under-19s side pipped on penalties by hosts Italy in the UEFA Amateur Youth tournament in Naples.

But the midfielder claimed he and his team-mates were spat at and the victims of "biased" officiating.

Kirkwood, 19, from Brighton, said: "It was a steep learning curve. Opponents really tried to wind us up by spitting at us. Some dived all over the place as well.

"What didn't help, and I know it sounds a bit weak, was the officiating which I felt was a little biased against us.

"It was hard to keep your cool and a couple of our players lost theirs and got sent off.

"It was exactly what our opponents were looking for. They wanted us in their pocket."

The Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College student, who takes his final A level next week, believes he passed the football exam.

He said: "I managed to keep my composure. I thought I played quite well, at least that is what manager Simon East told me.

"I played in the middle of midfield and out wide and almost scored twice in the final.

"I was substituted late on and missed out on the penalty shoot-out. It was frustrating because I always fancy my chances from the spot."

England lost 3-1 in the shoot out after the match ended 1-1.

They reached the final by finishing top of their group thanks to draws against Slovenia (1-1) and Romania (0-0) and a 3-0 win over Greece.

Kirkwood said: "The manager told us he thought we could win the tournament.

"We were looking for a win over Slovenia to set us up but, although we only drew, it was enough to get us going. That was the fairest match of the whole tournament."

Kirkwood begins pre-season training with Crawley in three weeks.

He has decided against a possible soccer scholarship in America to stay with the Reds, who were promoted from the Dr Martens League into the Conference. Kirkwood said: "I want to experience Conference football."