England 5-1 Iceland

UEFA Qualifying Tournament
7.45pm, Friday 12 October 2007
Doncaster Rovers FC, Keepmoat Stadium

England began their European Qualification campaign in fine style when they produced a second half goal blitz to destroy Iceland.

After a goalless first half, the Young Lions hit the afterburners once Febian Brandy put Brian Eastick's side ahead a minute after the restart.

Iceland promptly equalised but their hopes of glory were dashed as England fired in a further four goals in a terrific 18 minute period.

Andy Carroll, James Henry, Krystian Pearce and Scott Sinclair all hit the mark to send the 5,752 crowd home happy. The tannoy summed up Eastick's mood by blasting out 'Glad All Over' as the jubilant players left the field.

Under the Yorkshire night sky at Doncaster Rovers' splendid Keepmoat Stadium, England started well with wingers Sinclair and Henry making an immediate effect.

It was Sinclair, a scorer for Chelsea this season, who instigated the first chance on goal after eight minutes.

Bursting down the left, Sinclair centred to Carroll who set the ball up invitingly for Jamie Chandler who was lurking on the edge of the box but he dragged his shot wide.

Roy Keane, Chandler's manager at Sunderland, would have been impressed with the young midfielder's support play if not the execution of the shot as he gazed from the press box.

Livewire Manchester United forward Brandy then spurned a decent opening a minute later, lashing wide from 18 yards when he might have played in the overlapping Henry.

England were dominating and fashioned another chance on 11 minutes but Henry sliced horribly wide.

The Reading winger adjusted his radar within a minute however. After a good move through the middle where Carroll showed an exquisite touch, the ball fell to Henry who planted a powerful left foot shot which Iceland keeper Oskar Petursson did well to save.

Carroll then saw his header deflect wide just after the midway point in the half although the Three Lions were almost guilty of shooting themselves in the foot ten minutes before the break.

Ciaran Clark squandered possession to Viktor Unnar Illugason who was presented with a clear run on goal. With just Jason Steele to beat, the Iceland forward lacked the necessary composure, stabbing wide when he should have hit the target.

Such was England's intent on attacking that Henry, normally stationed on the right flank, joined Brandy and Carroll in a three-pronged front line. Two of them were involved as the Young Lions came within inches of taking the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Sinclair bewildered the Iceland defence with some mesmerising footwork before picking out Henry at the back post. His header back across goal seemed perfect for Brandy but he mistimed his jump and lifted the ball over with his head.

Brandy atoned for that miss less than a minute after the restart. After good work from Henry, Brandy kept his composure to slot past the exposed Petursson before embarking on his trademark backflip celebration. It was his third goal in consecutive games for the diminutive forward.

But England's lead lasted only seven minutes. Josef Kristinn Josefsson's floated free-kick somehow reached Aron Einar Gunnarsson six yards out and his soft header beat Steele.

The Three Lions hit back within minutes through Carroll, the Newcastle forward on loan at Preston. Sam Hutchinson charged down the line before crossing low to Carroll whose goalbound shot was deflected past the hapless Petursson.

Carroll has now scored in both his two England appearances.

Henry got in on the act on 69 minutes with the goal of the game. Picking up the loose ball, the Royal unleashed a fierce shot which thundered into the back of the net - quite a way to open your England goalscoring account.

The goals kept on coming - indeed the stadium PA announcer was busier than the England defence - and he was called into action four minutes later when an unmarked Pearce headed in for a 4-1 lead.

Sinclair hit the headlines last year with a spectacular goal against Barnet in The FA Cup. He produced something equally special as England made it five, snaking his way through the crowded Iceland defence before planting home.

England: 1 Jason Steele, 2 Sam Hutchinson, 3 Ryan Bertrand, 4 Jack Cork, 5 Krystian Pearce, 6 Ciaran Clark, 7 James Henry, 8 Jamie Chandler (14 Josh Wright, 80 mins), 9 Andy Carroll (12 Tope Obadeyi, 68 mins), 10 Febian Brandy (18 Kieran Gibbs, 82 mins), 11 Scott Sinclair.
Subs not used: 13 Ross Atkins,  15 Ed Upson, 16 Joe Mattock, 17 Jordan Spence

Goals: Brandy 46, Carroll 60, Henry 69, Pearce 73, Sinclair 78

Head Coach: Brian Eastick

Iceland: 1 Oskar Petursson, 2 Egger Rafn Einarsson (16 Bjorn Orri Hermannsson, 88 mins), 3 Josef Kristinn Josefsson, 4 Fannar Thor Arnarsson, 5 Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, 6 Aron Einar Gunnarsson, 7 Rafn Andri Haraldsson, 9 Viktor Unnar Illugason 18 Kristinn Jonsson (18 Kristinn Jonsson, 68 mins), 10 Gylfi Thor Sigurdsson, 14 Guomundur Kristjansson, 15 Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson (8 Kristinn Steindorsson, 78 mins).
Subs not used: 11 Guomundur Reynar Gunnarsson, 12 Trausti Sigurbjornsson, 13 Frans Elvorsson, 17 Johann Laxdal.

Goals: Gunnarsson 53

Head Coach: Kristin Runar Jonsson.

Kit Colours
England Red shirts, white shorts, red socks.
GK All yellow

Iceland All blue
GK All black

Match Officials
Referee Firat Aydinus (TUR)
Assistant Referees Serkan Ork (TUR) & Jose Manuel Fernandez Miranda (ESP)
Fourth Official Cesar Muniz Fernandez (ESP)

Attendance 5,752