Republic of Ireland 0-3 England Noble 10, 17, Milner 26 Republic of Ireland v England
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier
8pm, Tuesday 16 October 2007
Turner’s Cross, Cork
A Mark Noble inspired England extended their perfect qualifying record to four games after comfortably seeing off the Republic of Ireland in Cork.
The West Ham midfielder, restored to the line-up after suspension, hit two goals as his side strolled to victory on Tuesday night. James Milner fired England’s other goal as the Young Lions clocked up their fourth straight win to move a step closer to Euro 2009.
At Cork City’s tight ground, the England players, perhaps inspired by the nation’s rugby heroes, draped their arms over each other’s shoulders for the national anthem. Residents in the nearby houses might have heard patriotic captain Steven Taylor belting out the words.
England started brightly and fashioned the first chance of the match in the fourth minute when Matt Derbyshire rolled the ball to Noble. From 12 yards out, the West Ham midfielder fluffed his shot allowing a relieved Darren Randolph to collect with ease.
But Noble would not be so merciful six minutes later. Randolph appeared in little danger as he went to pluck Andrew Taylor’s cross from the Cork sky, but, under pressure from Derbyshire, he spilled the ball to Noble who gently lifted into an empty net.
Theo Walcott thought he had doubled the lead on 13 minutes, hammering home from close range only for him to be ruled offside from Noble’s initial shot.
England then had a penalty appeal turned down when Derbyshire was felled by Darren O’Dea. The Blackburn forward had a case – the resounding thwack of boot on shin pad reached the pressbox – but referee Andrea De Marco was not interested.
There would be no denying England on 17 minutes and again it was that man Noble.
Milner flicked on to the dangerous Gabriel Agbonlahor who skipped past the stumbling Richard Keogh. Turning on the afterburners, the Villa striker reached the byline before centring to Noble who timed his run perfectly before driving the ball home.
Pearce responded to the goal by pointing to his goalkeeper Joe Hart whose raking kick sparked off the move.
The Young Lions went further ahead on 26 minutes with Agbonlahor again the tormentor. After racing into the corner, he picked out Taylor who crossed to Milner.
The record caps holder at Under-21 level swivelled beautifully before firing past Randolph, albeit with a helpful deflection.
The hosts fought back gamely and might have reduced the deficit had it not been for the brilliance of Hart. He flung himself to his left on 29 minutes to spectacularly claw Adam Rooney’s shot behind for a corner.
The Manchester City keeper made another excellent stop on the stroke of half-time, beating away Rooney’s shot which was arrowing into the bottom corner. The hosts, roared on by a vocal crowd, were busy after the break but the more incisive work came from the visitors.
In the 58th minute Noble played a delightful one-two with Walcott before sending a 20 yard shot towards the top corner but Randolph was equal to it on this occasion.
The invincible Hart continued to frustrate the home side with the save of the night, arching his back to somehow palm Quinn’s effort wide. The Irish crowd groaned, sensing that the three points were disappearing in front of their eyes.
Noble was unlucky not to be leaving with the match ball when he burst through and fired towards goal but local favourite Stephen O’Halloran thrust out a boot to deflect it over.
Head Coach Stuart Pearce – without a win over the Republic in three matches as a player – shouted encouragement from the dugout as the game ticked towards its conclusion, but he would have been delighted when the referee called a halt to the action.
England: 1 Joe Hart, 2 Martin Cranie, 3 Andrew Taylor, 4 Mark Noble, 5 Steven Taylor (c), 6 Nedum Onuoha (12 David Wheater, 77 mins), 7 James Milner, 8 Tom Huddlestone, 9 Matt Derbyshire (18 Luke Moore, 66 mins), 10 Gabriel Agbonlahor (15 Adam Johnson, 75 mins), 11 Theo Walcott.
Subs not used: 13 Ben Alnwick, 14 Billy Jones, 16 Fabrice Muamba, 17 Cameron Jerome.
Head Coach: Stuart Pearce
Booked: A Taylor 34
Republic Of Ireland: 1 Darren Randolph, 2 Eddie Nolan, 3 Stephen O’Halloran, 4 Richard Keogh, 5 Darren O’Dea, 6 Owen Garvan, 7 Jim O’Brien, 8 Stephen Quinn, 9 Adam Rooney (13 Conor Powell, 66 mins), 10 Anthony Stokes, 11 Billy Clarke (12 Stephen Gleeson, 88 mins).
Subs not used: 14 Shane McFaul, 15 Michael Collins, 16 Darren Quigley, 17 Patrick Cregg, 18 Michael Spillane.
Head Coach: Don Givens
Booked: Quinn 44, O’Brien 54, Garvan 56, Clarke 84
Referee: Andrea De Marco (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Luca Maggiani (Italy) & Marco Ballabio (Italy)
Fourth Official: Massimiliano Velotto (Italy)
Source: www.thefa.com
