Ephraim ensures English victory

By Paul Saffer at Stadio Comunale Libero Masini

England confirmed their reputation as a deadly attacking threat in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship with a comfortable win in their Group A opener against Belarus.

Difficult debut
John Peacock's side were dominant throughout the encounter, and took the lead not long after the quarter-hour through Myles Weston. Hogan Ephraim scored twice in eleven second-half minutes and substitute Joe Garner converted a penalty to complete a difficult U17 finals debut for the Belarussians.

Attacking lineup
Peacock started with Everton FC prospect James Vaughan in attack with Darryl Knights and Weston, supported by Ephraim, with Theo Walcott rested for the remaining group games. Scott Phelan took the place of suspended midfield player Mark Davies, while for Belarus, key striker Siarhei Kisly was partnered by Aliaksandr Kalatsei.

Khomliak busy
From the off, England attacked with confidence, Ephraim and Lewis McGuigan in charge of the midfield. McGuigan had the first chance, shooting wide on five minutes, and then had an effort pushed away by Belarus goalkeeper Ihar Khomliak. The No4 then found Weston with a fine through-ball, but Khomliak blocked.

England ahead
Belarus were on the back foot, apart from some fine Dzmitry Rekish runs on the left, while at the other end Khomlaik was called into action again, diving at the feet of Ephraim 18 minutes in. Within 60 seconds, though, England were ahead, Weston slipping the ball past the Belarus custodian having been sent clear by Phelan's angled through pass.

Belarussian chances
Not long afterwards Vaughan headed a Phelan cross wide, but Belarus then had their best spell of the game, Rekish robbing Leigh Mills and forcing David Button to save, while Ihar Lisitsa headed the resultant corner wide. Button dived to stop a strong Anton Bubnou shot on the half-hour, but England ended the first half strongly, Weston having a header saved and Vaughan also going close.

Lead doubled
It took only four minutes of the second half for England to double their lead. McGuigan's low pass set up Vaughan and Ephraim to play a neat one-two, and the West Ham United FC man finished coolly. Though Belarus tested Button with some long-range shots, England were playing with confidence and Weston came agonisingly close to his second goal of the game on 54 minutes, rolling the ball just past the post after dispossessing Aleh Veratsila.

Ephraim again
Instead, it was Ephraim who scored his second goal of the game, ending a fine solo run with another calm shot past Khomliak. The Belarus goalkeeper did pull off a nice save from Weston, while just beyond the hour Garner replaced Vaughan and forced Khomliak into action.

Garner penalty
Garner got his name on the scoresheet six minutes after his introduction, fouled by Kisly in the box and getting up himself to send Khomliak the wrong way. Aliaksandr Kalatsei curled the ball not far past the post in the closing minutes, but England were still pushing forward when the game ended.

Pontedera encounter
Turkey, who lost 1-0 to Italy today, are England's opponents on Thursday in Pontedera, when Belarus will look to keep their campaign alive against the hosts in Castelfranco di Sotto.