Stuart Pearce’s England Under-21’s laboured to a 3-0 win over Republic of Ireland Under-21’s at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton last night - a result that virtually assures them of a play-off place for next year's European Championships.
On a cold, wet night on the south coast, England took to the field confident of victory, and were able to field stars such as Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott, who were not included in the main national team. But Walcott, on his return to Southampton, struggled to make an impression as Ireland kept out the England attack in the first half.
Newcastle’s James Milner had a shot saved by Ireland keeper Darren Randolph as England found it hard going on slippery pitch. Premiership stars Tom Huddlestone and Mark Noble were unable to provide the killer pass and the sides went in at the break at 0-0.
Ireland came out strong after the break and Wolves striker Andy Keogh missed three wonderful chances to give his side the lead but each time he found England keeper Joe Hart in good form. On the hour mark, it all changed and in England’s favour. James Milner fired in an innocuous looking cross which cannoned off Southampton defender Stephen O’Halloran and dribbled into the net.
If it was a lucky breakthrough, England certainly took advantage. Eight minutes later and Milner found himself with time on the outside of the area before he drilled in a right footed shot which went in off the inside of the post.
England were flying and with ten minutes to go, Theo Walcott got the ball just inside the box and curled a beauty past Randolph for England’s third. The Southampton crowd warmly received Walcott’s goal before welcoming another local hero, Andrew Surman, onto the pitch.
It was not a convincing performance but it was a professional one and the watching Trevor Brooking and Fabio Capello’s coaching staff will have been reasonably happy with what they saw. With only a home game against Portugal to come, England will be confident of achieving the point they need to claim top spot in the group and guarantee themselves a play off place.
(RE:SUS Magazine, 2008)
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