England 3-1 Republic of Ireland

UEFA European U17 Championship
Second Qualifying Round, Group 2
30 March 2005

England booked their place in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Finals with a comprehensive victory over the Republic of Ireland.

Goals from West Ham United's Hogan Ephraim and Theo Walcott seven minutes after the restart were enough to seal England's passage at a rain-lashed Bescot Stadium.

England substitute James Vaughan made certain of the victory in stoppage time after Ireland's James Ryan scored a late consolation goal for the visitors with stunning long-range effort that cannoned in off the cross bar.

But the victory came at a price as England were forced to play out virtually the entire second half with ten men after Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Mark Davies was sent off for a second caution.

The dismissal, just two days after he captained the side at Molineux, took the shine off an efficient performance by England.

Davies, who miss England's opening game in Italy as result, was harshly booked by Austrian referee inn the 29th minute for a strong, but fair, tackle on Ireland centre back Michael Spillane.

But worse was to follow six minutes after the restart when he was shown a second yellow card for encroaching on a free kick.

It proved a busy night for the official as he showed four more yellow cards, two to each side, while the sides were evened three minutes from time when Spillane was given a straight red card for a professional foul on Walcott.

Fortunately, prior to Davies sending off, England had taken the lead just two minutes earlier.

A quickly taken free kick released Walcott and the Southampton winger drilled in a low right wing cross which was tucked home at the far post by Ephraim.

England, semi-finalists in the past four years, made sure of the points and 100 per cent record in the group when, they responded to Davies sending off with a second goal on the break.

Tricky Charlton flanker Myles Weston provided the inspiration with a left wing cross that was steered home by the impressive Walcott.

The early goals eased the pressure on England, who had struggled to make their chances count in the first half due to heroics by Ireland keeper Stephen Henderson who denied Walcott, Ephraim and Fabrice Muamba.

England U17 v Republic of Ireland, Walsall, 30 March 2005

England: David Button - Tottenham Hotspur, Sebastian Hines - Middlesbrough, Leigh Mills - Tottenham Hotspur, Michael Mancienne - Chelsea (capt.), Scott Golbourne - Bristol City, Myles Weston - Charlton Athletic (Scott Phelan - Everton, 53), Mark Davies - Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fabrice Muamba - Arsenal, Theo Walcott - Southampton (Andrew Gooding - Coventry City, 80), Hogan Ephraim - West Ham United, Joe Garner - Blackburn Rovers (James Vaughan - Everton, 66)

Rep of Ireland: Henderson, S Davies, Spillane, Nolan (c), Judge, Gleeson (O'Shea, 79), Ryan, Hickie (Kiely, 71), Trealy, Stokes.
Subs not used: Boyle, Power, Fitzgerald.

Booked: Mills, Garner; Nolan, Stokes
Sent off: M Davies; Spillane

Referee: Thomas Einwaller

Attendance: 3,572