England Under-19s 2-0 Poland Under-19s
Freddie Sears continued his remarkable run with two goals for England to help them get their Elite round qualification attempt for the European Under-19 Championship off to a flier in Belarus.
The 18-year-old, who made his first-team breakthrough in the 2007/08 campaign after fine form for the youths and reserves, scored both goals in Borisov on his first full start for the U19s. He had previously made two substitute appearances in friendlies. The first goal came with a good finish in the 29th minute before the West Ham United striker wrapped up the win with a penalty five minutes from time after Danish referee Lars Christoffersen had pointed to the spot. At the back, club-mate James Tomkins more than played his part in helping the Young Lions keep a clean sheet.
Brian Eastick's side are in Belarus for a four-nation Group 1 mini-tournament, one of seven sections, that will see the winners head to the Czech Republic later this summer for the eight-team final round. England are next in action against Serbia, who beat Belarus 4-0 in their opening fixture, in Borisov again on Wednesday at 12.30pm, the same day as Poland take on Belarus. The qualifying campaign will end against Belarus in the capital Minsk at 3pm this Saturday. Should England get through, then the final tournament will take place between 14 and 26 July, and the already qualified host nation Czech Republic may boast goalkeeper Marek Stech in their lineup.
England: Button, Obeng, Clark (c), Tomkins, Mattock, Sinclair, Cork, Gibbs, Moses, Sears, Carroll
Subs: Bertrand, Henry, Steele, Chandler, Walker, Welbeck, Pearce