England enjoy Alkmaar success

Early goal
England took the lead against the reigning European champions at this level in the eleventh minute when SC Heerenveen shot-stopper Waterman miscued a clearance straight to Hoyte in the penalty area and the full-back dinked the ball over the advancing goalkeeper from close range. It was to prove enough to give the visitors victory in the country where next summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals will be held, with these two teams among eight nations taking part.

Several chances
England had already passed up a chance to go ahead three minutes before the goal when Wayne Routledge played a clever angled pass to the unmarked David Nugent, but the Preston North End FC striker drilled the ball wide. The home side were not without chances of their own, though, as Feyenoord's Royston Drenthe deserved better after dancing his way into a shooting position before firing wide. Home forward Quincy Owusu-Abeyie then brought the best out of England goalkeeper Scott Carson with a curling effort eight minutes before the break.

Jenner slice
The home side continued to threaten after the restart and Julian Jenner squandered a great chance to equalise just before the hour only to miss from ten metres. However, as the half wore on Sammy Lee's men began to look more comfortable with Theo Walcott's pace causing increasing problems for the Oranje defence until he went off with a hand injury eight minutes from time. Two minutes later it was almost 2-0 as Peter Whittingham tested Waterman with a clever volley but Hoyte's strike was to prove enough..