Northern Ireland 0-3 England

The Sky Sports Victory Shield
7.45pm, Thursday 9 November 2006
Ballymena FC
Live on Sky Sports

England's U16s scored an impressive victory in their second game of the Victory Shield, with a three goal triumph over Northern Ireland exactly the outcome and performance that the Young Lions were looking for from their visit to Ballymena.

Kenny Swain's young side dominated the match with a combination of persistent pressing and clinical passing when in possession - it was a fine performance throughout the team that their hosts had no answer to.

Three first half goals from England made the second half a tremendously difficult proposition for Ireland, and now the tournament will be decided at York on 9 December in the final match of the Victory Shield.

England opened the scoring after just 15 minutes as a result of an excellent build up play through the central area which culminated on the left flank with Sanchez Watt and Matthew Briggs combining well to force their opponents into conceding an own goal.

Watt released Briggs, who in turn drove a low cross into the area which deflected off the unfortunate Conor McLaughlin into the Irish net. It was no more than the visitors deserved after dominating the opening exchanges.

Kenny Swain's side then doubled their advantage five minutes later, this time with Nathan Delfouneso on the end of the cross as Des Curry's side struggled to cope with the pace and accurate passing from the Young Lions.

The Aston Villa forward was denied the goal against Wales as the last touch came from a defender, however this was definitely Delfouneso's goal. Jacob Melis and Dean Parrett combined well through a flowing counter attack from England and the overlapping run and dangerous delivery from Adam Smith made the second goal inevitable.

England put further distance between themselves and their opponents with eight minutes remaining in the first period, with Sanchez Watt the goalscorer on this occasion. Delfouneso was scorer turned provider as he turned in the box and pulled the ball back to Watt whose task was simple, and his goal meant that Northern Ireland's task was almost impossible.

Five minutes into the second half Dean Parrett almost created another goal for the Young Lions, showing excellent close control and brilliant vision Parrett surged past three defenders before slotting Delfouneso in on goal.

Unfortunately for England Conor Devlin was equal to the shot but with the visitors by this stage reaching double figures for attempts on goal it was becoming one-way traffic at Ballymena.

The resolve of Northern Ireland strengthened as the game wore on, and Des Curry can be proud of the way they performed despite being three goals down at the break.

Steven Wallace and Graeme Taylor in particular were impressive as the home side thwarted any further opportunities, while Chris Curran looked lively throughout with his neat dribbling and bravery on the ball.

Matthew Briggs continued to be a threat down the left flank and in the 69th minute he delivered a brilliant cross on to the head of Jacob Melis, but Devlin comfortably gathered the cross.

There were chances to increase the lead, but what will please Kenny Swain most about the match was the consistent desire and concentration of his side as they set up a decider against Scotland at York on 9 December.

Teams:

Northern Ireland: 1 Conor Devlin (Greenisland Boys), 2 Steven Wallace (Newbuildings) (16 Andrew Mitchell 48), 3 Graeme Taylor (Maiden City), 4 Conor McLaughlin (Lisburn), 5 Kris McAdam (Loughall), 6 Patrick McLaughlin (Larne), 7 Chris Curran (Ballinamallard), 8 Andrew King (Lisburn), 9 Deaglan Bunting (Lisburn), 10 Aeron McElwee (Maiden City) (14 Lee McCaughern (Ballymena) 71), 11 Robert Crawford (Greenisland) (15 Daniel Kearns (St Oliver Plunkett) 58)

England: 1 Adam Street (West Ham United), 2 Adam Smith (Tottenham Hotspur) (17 Rhema Obed (Arsenal) 57), 3 Matthew Briggs (Fulham), 4 Sean Highdale (Liverpool) (16 Matthew James (Manchester United) 40), 5 Kyle Bartley (Bolton Wanderers), 6 Jack Rodwell (Everton) (c), 7 Jacob Mellis (Sheffield United), 8 Dean Parrett (QPR) (15 Mitchell McPike (Birmingham City) 67), 9 Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), 10 Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), 11 Sanchez Watt (Arsenal) (14 Jose Baxter (Everton) 40)

Goals: C. McLaughlin og 15, Delfouneso 21, Watt 32