England 2-0 Armenia

European U17 Championship
2nd Qualifying Round
Hillsborough
24 March 2004

England cruised to a winning start in the second qualifying round of the European Under-17 Championship, scoring two goals to Armenia's nil at Hillsborough.

The hosts' goals came from Mark Noble's first-half penalty and Shane Paul's 69th minute strike to complete a comprehensive performance from John Peacock's side.

With both sides looking nervous in the early stages, it was England who appeared to settle more quickly when Shane Paul's delicate chip hit the bar after good work in midfield from Gary Roberts.

Armenia were struggling to deal with the home side's formation and particularly the width offered by Paul on the right and Kyle Reid on the left, Reid especially causing the visitors problems with his pace and movement.

It was the home side who struck first when Roberts' through ball found Mark Noble in the area. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Noble was tugged down. He promptly stood up and converted the penalty, confidently placing the ball over the dive of Shahen Manvelyn.

As the first half wore on, it was the visitors who began to grow in confidence with striker Edgar Manucharyan making a number of intelligent runs into the England box, although he was unable to force Ben Alnwick into making a save.

Following the break, it was a more focused England side who came and attacked with increasing confidence as both sides began to tire. The impressive midfield duo of Roberts and Noble took over the game and kept the Armenians on the back foot with their tenacious tackling and creative passing.

As the game became stretched, it was once again England who capitalised when in the 69th minute Shane Paul combined with substitute Fraizer Campbell to open up the visitors' defence and Paul's left-footed strike slotted the ball through the legs of Manvelyn.

Moments later, clever work from Wolves' Mark Davies freed Campbell in the box but he was denied by a fantastic save from Manvelyn at a tight angle.

As the clock ticked down, England played possession football and treated the crowd of almost 7,000 to a few tricks as well.

It was a tricky fixture on paper, but Peacock's side sailed through with flying colours, looking solid at the back with centre-backs Michael Mancienne and Richard Stearman in control of everything ahead of them for the full 80 minutes.

England now have two days to prepare to take on Iceland at Doncaster Rovers' Belle Vue ground on Friday night.

Goals: Noble, Paul