England 2-0 Wales

UEFA U21 European Championship Qualifier
Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers FC
08 October 2004

England's super-sub Darren Bent struck again to beat Wales at Ewood Park - and take his incredible record to seven goals in only nine games for the Under-21s.

Bent ensured England stay top of their UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying group with nine points from three games after he added to James Milner's 46th minute opener by heading home a Stewart Downing free-kick.

It means the Ipswich youngster has now scored five goals for the Under-21s in four games this season - and all as a substitute!

But he wasn't the only star of what turned out to be a hard-fought victory over a dogged Wales side.

Newcastle's James Milner was given a new central midfield role by manager Peter Taylor, and responded with a performance of real maturity and creativity.

He broke the deadlock after a difficult first half, latching onto a superb Jermaine Pennant pass to fire England ahead. And he was unlucky not to score another as he wriggled free later in the game, only to see his effort smothered by impressive keeper Lewis Price.

England made a lively start to the match, forcing two corners within the first two minutes, and It didn't take long for Cole and Pennant to cause havoc in the Welsh defence.

Cole almost put the Three Lions 1-0 up when he controlled the ball neatly inside the penalty area,swivelled and sent a left-foot shot fizzing only inches wide of the far post.

But it proved to be the striker's last contribution to the game. He had passed a late fitness test on an ankle injury to play in the match but felt a twinge early on and was taken off after 19 minutes.

That was bad news for England - but the good news was the arrival of super-sub Bent, who immediately thundered towards goal and hit a 20-yard effort that was deflected narrowly wide.

Home hero Jonathan Stead and Newcastle man Milner both had efforts comfortably saved after that, but there was a scare for the Three Lions when Wales broke away - and David Vaughan's fine left-foot shot cracked against the post from 20 yards after 37 minutes.

England really should have taken notice of that, but they were caught napping again on 45 minutes when Arsenal youngster fired in a left-foot effort that Carson did well to hold onto.

It was a different story after the break, though, and within a minute England were ahead.

Pennant chipped through a stunning pass for Milner - and the Newcastle man drove home an angled right-foot drive to open England's account.

It could so easily have been 2-0 a few minutes later when another piece of Milner magic set up Bent for a volley from ten yards - but somehow keeper Price tipped his effort over the crossbar.

The Ipswich keeper was certainly on form, because he also denied Stead by somehow clawing his stunning 20-yard effort onto the crossbar and away for a corner.

But he could do nothing to stop England finally cementing victory in the 73rd minute when Middlesbrough's Downing whipped over a superb left-foot free-kick from the right wing - and Bent forced home a header from close range.

The result now puts England in a commanding position at the top of Group 6.

Team Details

England: Carson; Johnson (Taylor, 85), Hunt, Davenport, Harding; Pennant (Whittingham, 75), Milner, O'Neil, Downing; Cole (Bent, 19), Stead.
Subs not used: Kilgallon, Lonergan, Baines, Hinshelwood.

Goals: Milner 46, Bent 73

Wales: Price; Anthony, Duffy, Parslow, Gilbert; Birchall (Carpenter, 75), Fowler (Crowell, 70), Pipe, Tolley; Vaughan, Calliste.
Subs not used: Davies, Morgan, Spender, Fish, Worgan.