Three points for rallying Lions
Saturday, 26 March, 2011
England come from behind to beat Northern Ireland in Euro qualifier.
England came from a goal behind to collect all three points against Northern Ireland in the opening game of the Elite Qualifying Round for the UEFA European U17 Championship Finals.
Everton forward Hallam Hope and West Ham's Blair Turgott had tested Conor Brennan early on before Seamus McCartan put the Irish ahead in the 35th minute, his strike going in off the post.
However, just six minutes later, the duo who had earlier been thwarted by Brennan combined to equalise for England. Hope fed Turgott and the midfielder did the rest to make it 1-1 in added time at the end of the first half.
Hope was in the thick of things again, just two minutes after the restart as it was his penalty which put the Three Lions ahead. This lead was extended when Crewe's Nick Powell converted Alex Henshall's corner.
Sam Magri fouled Joshua Barton which allowed McCartan to double his, and Northern Ireland's, tally from the spot, but England held out.
Their second qualifier is against the host nation, Belgium, on Monday afternoon.