England 6-0 Malta

UEFA U17 Championship Qualifiers,
Sunday 21 October 2007
Estonia

Nathan Delfouneso fired a spectacular treble as England made a dream start to their European qualifying campaign.

The Aston Villa forward netted twice before the break before completing his first international hat-trick on 56 minutes to ensure England's trip to Estonia began in style.

Delfouneso's strike partner Ryan Donaldson was also on form. The Newcastle hitman scored England's first and fifth goals to continue his glorious run since being introduced to international football.

Matthew James, of Manchester United, scored moments before the final whistle to conclude a satisfactory afternoon for Head Coach John Peacock.

"We went about it in a professional way," said Peacock. "We are expected to win these games but you have to approach it correctly and we did that.

"It was important we scored early and we went 3-0 up before half-time. I told them that goals might come into it later in the tournament and we scored three more before the end."

Despite being content with how England passed the ball, Peacock told his young charges they will have improve in front of goal.

"The only criticism I have is that we need to be more clinical," he said. "But you have to be happy with 6-0 against any opposition."

England's next challenge is on Tuesday when they face hosts Estonia, who lost their opening game against Portugal.

"I saw their game with Portugal," added Peacock. "They will want to perform in front of their home crowd so we need an early goal to settle us down.

"If we perform like we can then we should be fine."

England: Wesley Foderingham, Chris Solly, Thomas Cruise, Jack Rodwell, Ben Gordon, Jack Wilshere, Matthew James, John Bostock, Harry Forrester (Oliver Norwood, 61 mins), Nathan Delfouneso (Dean Parrett, 55 mins), Ryan Donaldson (Andros Townsend 70 mins).
Subs not used: Dean Lyness, Luke O'Neill, Matthew Briggs, Cameron Stewart.

Goals: Donaldson 18, 68, Delfouneso 22, 24, 56, James 80