Report: England CP 10-0 Northern Ireland

England’s cerebral palsy team set off on their IFCPF European Championship journey with a 10-0 win over Northern Ireland.

Sam Dewhirst, who completed his hat-trick inside the opening 30 minutes, had efforts matched by David Porcher and Aaron Lucas after the break, as England ran out winners over their opponents.

Mason Dunbar also added to the act, in a dominant win to open up the Para Lions’ EUROs campaign.

The Para Lions laid down their marker early on when Dewhirst connected well with a cross, opening the scoring at the second attempt after Paul Cassidy kept out his original effort from point blank range.

Mason Dumbar and Liam Irons looked to achieve the same feat, this time from distance, but the Northern Ireland keeper saved well on both occasions.

Dewhirst tried to match his earlier attempt, but the woodwork came to the visitors’ rescue, in turn tapping home his second after Harry Baker nodded the ball back towards the England midfielder.

England continued to camp inside their opponents’ area, as Irons’ rising shot played into the momentum, later added to by Matthew Crossen who tested Cassidy with a low drive.

Corey Komorowski then went a stud width away from adding an England third, only for Dewhirst to follow up – and complete his hat-trick.

Dunbar made the scoresheet minutes later, logging his first goal in the competition with a finish from close range.

Northern Ireland looked to iron out any mistakes and upped the pressure early in the second half, coming close as Reegan McMilin was caught back pedalling to a strike from distance.

But Porcher had other ideas, snaffling up a loose ball inside the area before firing under Cassidy. The other substitute, Lucas, then extended the Para Lions’ lead, meeting a delivery to the back post.

England had room to scope forward once more, as Lucas flicked in a cross at the back post, before Porcher continued the show with an arrowed attempt into the far corner.

Smith’s men continued to step foot on the pedal as Cassidy moved across the goal well to tip over Dewhirst’s attempt. But there was no letting up from Lucas, who checked back towards goal and completed his hat-trick.

Porcher was next to follow suit, scoring his third after progressive play from Dunbar set up an opportunity for the forward.

England: 1 Giles Moore, 2 Liam Irons, 3 Mason Dunbar, 5 Harry Baker, 6 Matthew Crossen, 8 Sam Dewhirst, 11 Corey Komorowski

Substitutes: 9 David Porcher for Crossen, 10 Aaron Lucas for Komorowski, 13 Reegan McMilin for Moore, 12 Jayden Kenyon for Baker 31’, 14 Matthew Robinson for Irons 45’

Unused subs: 4 Cailen Beckford

Head coach: Andy Smith