Two from two for Young Lions
Friday, 28 May, 2010
Victory over Bosnia sets up a final game showdown with Ukraine on Monday.
Nicholas Veevers
UEFA European U19 Championship
Elite Qualifying Round
26-31 May 2010
Kiev, Ukraine
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England U19s made it two wins out of two on Friday afternoon, to set up a final game showdown with hosts Ukraine in the European U19 Championshhip Elite Round.
Goals from Ryan Noble, Matt Phillips, John Bostock and Nathan Delfouneso were enough to see off the challenge of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Kiev and Noel Blake’s team now go into Monday’s clash with Ukraine knowing that a win will see them qualify for the Finals in France in July.
After Wednesday’s victory against the Republic Of Ireland, Blake made a number of changes to his team and the Young Lions responded by making the perfect start, with Noble scoring after just two minutes when he received a flick-on from Ryan Donaldson before chipping Bosnian goalkeeper Tito Divkovic in the area.
Phillips then made it a full debut to remember, as his 25 yard shot took a deflection past Divkovic to put England in control at the half time break. The Wycombe Wanderers winger has made his first appearance from the bench on Wednesday, but made a great impression on his first start in an England shirt.
Bosnia started the second half brightly, and could've reduced the arrears when a shot came crashing back off the bar, but England weathered that particular storm before Bostock added another shortly after the hour mark. The Spurs man combined well with substitute Jacob Mellis, trading passes into the box before firing home his first goal for the U19s.
It didn’t take Delfluneso long to make his mark either, as he added a fourth with a glancing header from skipper Matthew James’ centre just five minutes after being introduced from the bench.
Goal difference could also prove crucial, as Ukraine clocked up a 4-1 win against Bosnia in their first game so the England camp will no doubt be keeping a close eye on proceedings when they face Ireland later on Friday, with that result having an impact on what England need to do in the final game on Monday.