England enjoy winning start

By Andrew Haslam at Stade de Péteseilles

England made the perfect start to the third UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals as second-half goals from Shane Paul and Nathan Doyle secured a 2-0 victory against Ukraine in Avoine.

Lively support
The first game in the tournament was a lively affair, with enthusiastic crowds of school children providing a strong vocal backing. However, on the pitch, a strong wind and driving rain made life hard for both sides and England's defensive strength eventually prevailed.

In-form teams
Both teams' qualification for the tournament had been impressive, with England winning all their matches and Ukraine eliminating both Germany and Denmark on their way to France. Such form promised an exciting encounter and the opening exchanges illustrated as much, with England's James Walker heading over in the second minute after good work from Kyle Reid and Christopher James.

Paul chance
John Peacock's team continued to press and more good work down the left by Nathan Ashton led to a good opportunity for Paul, but the left-back's cross skimmed off the top of the England No7's head.

Gladkyy goes close
Ukraine's dangerous striker Oleksandr Gladkyy, whose goals were key to his side's qualification, got his first sight of goal in the tenth minute, but his shot from an angle was driven over the crossbar.

Well marshalled
As the half wore on, the Ukrainian forward began to impose himself more and more, although England's central defenders Richard Stearman and David Wheater largely contained his threat and combined to deny the Ukraine striker in the 25th minute as he threatened to burst clear. Gladkky might have done better a minute later, but he headed Oleksandr Yakovenko's corner disappointingly wide.

Five corners
England began the second half in much more positive fashion, with James'low shot forcing Oleksandr Rybka into action before a spell of pressure that yielded five corners, though they couldn't capitalise.

Ashton denied
It was not all one-way traffic, as Denys Dedechko headed Yakovenko's free-kick wide before the latter sent a shot from distance narrowly past the post. England looked the more threatening, though, and a good passing move created a chance for Ashton, who forced Rybka to touch his powerful long-range effort over the crossbar.

Paul pounces
The goal England had threatened finally arrived on the hour, a minute after Ukraine coach Viktor Kaschey had made a double substitution. It was England who were galvanised though and Paul was on hand to capitalise on a misunderstanding in the Ukrainian defence to score with a low shot.

Campbell chance
Ukraine sought a way back into the game and a good move ended with Oleksiy Remezovskyy's deflected shot spinning narrowly wide. But England continued to look the more likely scorers and substitute Fraizer Campbell headed James'free-kick over soon after his introduction.

Doyle deflection
The result was put beyond doubt a minute from time when a flowing passing move freed Doyle whose powerful effort from outside the penalty area took a huge deflection, wrong-footing Rybka and flying into the net to seal all three points. England now face holders Portugal on Thursday and will be looking to avenge last year's semi-final defeat, while Ukraine play Austria the same day.