Noble Helps England Under-19s Progress


MARK Noble helped the England Under-19s progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championships with a dramatic 3-2 win over Norway.

Noble played for just under an hour as the Young Lions came from behind to snatch a last-gasp win that secured the passage of Martin Hunter's side.

England took the lead through a Matthew Mills header after only four minutes, but Norway levelled with 23 minutes gone to send the teams in for half-time tied at 1-1.

Hunter's team came out firing for the second-half, but saw several gilt-edge chances go begging. With 10 minutes to go England's hopes of qualification began to fade when the impressive Petter Hanssen put Norway 2-1 in-front.

But England refused to lay down and equalised moments later when substitute Dexter Blackstock prodded home from close range.

Their thrilling comeback was completed with seven minutes left when Lee Holmes whipped in a cross and another substitute, David Wheater, headed home to put England into the semi-finals.