England 6-1 Northern Ireland

U17 International Tournament 2007
7.45pm, Wednesday 29 August 2007
Griffin Park, Brentford FC

England’s U17s put in a convincing performance as they brushed aside Northern Ireland 6-1 in the first match of this season’s International Tournament at Brentford FC’s Griffin Park.

While last season's U17s are preparing for their World Cup second round match against Syria in Korea on Thursday, the new crop at that age range, under the guidance of Noel Blake, were in action a little closer to home. 

Andros Townsend took a huge step in following in the footsteps of the likes of England’s Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott, along with Manchester United’s Carlos Tevez, who have all starred in the tournament in the past.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Townsend put the Young Lions in front in the 30th minute when he slotted past Northern Ireland goalkeeper Conor Delvin after good work from Cameron Stewart.

Stewart beat two defenders before threading the ball through to Townsend, who applied the finish.

Townsend then added a second four minutes later when he headed in Stewart’s cross before Leicester City’s Luke O’Neil made it 3-0 with a half-volley from inside the box.

Manchester United midfielder Stewart got his reward for a fine performance when he scored with a neat shot on the turn in the 65th minute.

Second-half substitute Dean Parrett put the result beyond doubt with a low shot from the edge of the box in the 69th minute.

But the Northern Irish salvaged some pride when Chris Curran scored a consolation goal with a low shot that deflected off Chris Stokes.

However, Chelsea’s Jacob Mellis restored England’s five goal advantage with a lob over Delvin in stoppage time.

England
1 Declan Rudd (Norwich City); 18 Luke O'Neil (Leicester City), 5 Matty James (Manchester United), 6 Chris Stokes (Bolton Wanderers), 14 Matthew Briggs (Fulham); 7 Cameron Stewart (Manchester United), 4 Oli Norwood (Manchester United), 17 Mitchell McPike (Birmingham City) (16 Jacob Mellis (Chelsea), 70), 11 John Bostock (Crystal Palace) (8 Dean Parrett (Tottenham Hotspur), 61); 10 Adam Phillip, 12 Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur) (15 Nicky Ajose (Manchester United), 62)
Subs not used: 2 Chris Solly (Charlton), 3 Ben Gordon (Chelsea), 9 Ryan Donaldson (Newcastle United), 13 Dean Lyness (Birmingham City);

Goals: Andros Townsend 30, 33, Luke O'Neil 34, Cameron Stewart 64, Dean Parrett 68, Jacob Mellis 80

Coach Noel Blake

Bookings None

Northern Ireland
Conor Delvin; Andrew King, (Scott Davidson, 45), Graeme Taylor, Chris McAdam, Peter Bardley; Andrew Mitchell, Chris Curran, Patrick McLaughlin, Michael McGrudden; Daniel Kearns, (Aaron Boyd, 50), Gavin McParland, (Michael Doran, 57);
Subs not used: Connor Roberts, Lee McCaughern, Craig Hill, Neil Dougan

Goals: Chris Stokes (og) 78

Coach Kenny Shiels 

Bookings None