Northern Ireland 0 - England 2
Victory Shield
18th October 02
Ballymena Showgrounds

England's Under 16s got their Victory Shield campaign off to the best of starts against Northern Ireland on Friday night with a well earned 2-0 win.

Lee Holmes was the player who stunned the home fans at the Showgrounds in Ballymena after just 38 seconds. The Derby County player twisted and turned his way across the Northern Ireland penalty area and, despite having his shirt pulled, wriggled free to unleash a shot into the top corner of the net.

The early goal gave the young England side a huge lift and they continued to press forward against the home side who appeared rattled and reeling by the early goal. Anthony Grant almost put England further ahead after 6 minutes but after a swift counter attack the West Ham winger's shot lacked power and was easily saved by Johnny Tuffey. England continued to control the early proceedings and again created an excellent opening but Shane Paul's shot was again saved.

England had to survive a rare scare when from an acute angle Andrew Rosbotham left foot shot was cleared by Sean Wright. Despite being in charge for most of the game England had to withstand some pressure, the home side having two good goal scoring opportunities within the space of a minute. Paul McCrink sliced open the England defence with a ball threaded into the path of David Armstrong but England keeper Joseph Lewis raced off his goal line to make a timely block. Next McCrink was put through but wasted his chance by shooting wide.

Having dominated the early proceedings England were forced back as the game became more evenly balanced. But just as they started, England finished the first period the stronger. Marc Walton rose unmarked from a corner but his glancing header flashed wide and then in injury time there was a mad scramble in the home defence before Duncan Nash cleared the danger.

After the interval both teams had several half chances to score but good goalkeeping and poor finishing kept the score the same. England coach John McDermott introduced four substitutes early in the second half and England lost a little momentum. But gradually the young England players reorganised and increased their lead with 17 minutes left from a well worked set piece. A corner from the right was met by the head of substitute Chris Gilligan and Tuffey could only parry the ball out into the path of Thomas Moncur and the England captain made no mistake with his header from close range.

Having almost drawn level the second goal deflated the home team and England almost added a third when, six minutes from the end, Holmes cut in from the left but his curling right foot shot flashed inches past the far post and Walton almost burst through only to be denied by Tulley racing off his line to clear the danger.

After the match, McDermott was delighted with his team's performance particularly considering that they have only been together for a few days:

"I was really pleased. We didn't know what to expect as it's the first time they've played together.We knew in training we had some really good players, and I thought at times we played some good football.

But England were made to work for their victory: "Northern Ireland's workrate was excellent and they had some good players, but I thought we weathered the storm."

"They pressed us and worked hard, but we kept our discipline and played really well." He added.

However, McDermott is keen to bring the players down to earth and not let them get carried away with their taste of international football, adding: "We need to do a reality check tomorrow. They been on television, but they're now going back to their clubs, back to their schools and they have to crack on with their GCSEs, so they've got to come down from this."

The Young Lions now lead the table before they travel to Barry Town in a fortnight to take on Wales, who lost their first match to Scotland 4-3 at Tynecastle.

England team: Joseph Lewis, Anthony Grant (Jemel Henry, 46 mins) Sean Wright, Danny Guthrie (Ryan Gilligan, 54 mins) Thomas Moncur (c), Christopher Gilligan, Shane Paul (Mitchell Murphy, 56 mins), Stuart Lewis, Marc Walton, Ashley Parillon (Chris James, 40 mins), Lee Holmes.

Lawrie Madden in Ballymena

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