Ryan Donaldson's brace against Iceland ensured the Young Lions began the new season in fine fettle.

England 2-0 Iceland
International U17 Youth Tournament
The Nordic Championships
30 July 2007
Fredericia, Denmark

Newcastle United's Ryan Donaldson scored twice as England beat both Iceland and the elements to win their opening game of the Nordic Championships.

The young star kept his cool to net a second half brace in atrocious conditions which wrecked England's hopes of playing good football.

"After a quiet start we controlled the game," said Head Coach Noel Blake. "We scored two good footballing goals and they were good finishes from Ryan."

England's hopes of victory were severely threatened as the fierce wind penned them into their own half during the opening 40 minutes. The driving rain was a hindrance too, but England refused to buckle and turned around at 0-0.

In the second half the Young Lions thrived with the conditions in their favour and took the lead on 60 minutes.

Chris Solly, of Charlton, overlapped on the right before driving into the box and squaring the ball to Donaldson who provided the perfect finish.

It was that man Donaldson again who doubled England's lead and put the result beyond doubt, racing on to a long pass from Dan Philliskirk before shooting past the exposed Iceland keeper.

"Considering we have 12 new boys in the squad, I was really pleased with the cohesiveness of the team," added Blake. "The conditions were difficult but credit to the boys, they were very professional."

England's next game will be against Finland on Tuesday.

"That will be more of a test," insisted Blake. "But the players are looking forward to it. We have one or two bumps and bruises, so we will have to change things.

England: 1 Dean Lynees, 2 Chris Solly, 5 Jack Rodwell, 15 Chris Stokes, 3 Matthew Briggs, 8 Sean Highdale, 4 John Bostock (16 Jordan Mutch 73 mins), 7 Ashley Hemmings (12 Ashley Sammons 63 mins), 11 Conor Henderson, 9 Ryan Donaldson (17 Jorrin John 80 mins), 10 Dan Philliskirk (16 Jamie Sheldon 80 mins).
Subs not used: 14 Luke O'Neil, 13 Sam Walker, 6 Scott Wootton.

Coach: Noel Blake

Goals: Donaldson 60, 65

Iceland: 1 Arnar Darri Petursson (12 Asgeir T. Magnusson, 78 mins), 2 Gisli Pall Helgason, 3 Finnur Orri Margeirsson, 4 Haukur Orn Hardarsson, 5 Hafsteinn Briem, 8 Vilhjalmur Einarsson (6 David Mar Stefansson, 68 mins), 9 Gudmundur Magnusson (17 Thorir Gudjonsson, 27 mins), 11 Arnar Sveinn Geirsson, 14 Gudlaugur Victor Palsson, 15 Andri Fannar Stefansson (10 Ragnar Leosson, 52 mins), 18 Vikingur Palmason (13 Stefan Ragnar Gudlaugsson, 55 mins).
Subs not used: 7 Otto Reynisson, 16 Bjorn B Sigurdsson.

Coach: Lukas Kostic