Report: England MU17s 3-0 Faroe Islands

England men’s under-17s made an impressive start to their UEFA European Championship qualification campaign, with a victory over the Faroe Islands at St. George’s Park.

A sensational double from Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Harvey Higgins wrapped up a dominating performance.

England started strongly, as JJ Gabriel created some space on the left-hand side of the penalty area, though the visitors were quick to apply pressure to deny an opener.

England only had to wait until the eleventh minute to break the deadlock, as Kavuma-McQueen showed attacking prowess. Dribbling forward through several opponents, the attacker fired home into the bottom left corner to put the hosts in front.

The hosts came close again, as Max Little swung in a cross that was cleared away by the opposition defence.

The Young Lions thought they had a second in the 18th minute through Kavuma-McQueen, though the forward saw his effort denied by the offside flag.

A moment of magic followed from the youngster again as following a driving run past the defence, he wrapped the ball into the top left corner with a stunning curling shot to extend the hosts’ lead.

England dominated possession throughout and utilised their midfield effectively to frustrate their opponents, heading into the final ten minutes of the first half.

The hosts had an opportunity from another set piece on the edge of the area. Southampton’s Little laid the ball off to Gabriel who saw his shot easily saved by Faroe Islands goalkeeper, Noa Joensen.

As the first half entered four minutes of added time, Calvin Diakate pulled the ball back from a tight angle on the left wing to find Gabriel, who’s low-driven shot was blocked by the defender.

A well-crafted England counter-attack almost resulted in a third, as Diakate delivered a perfect cross, though Kavuma-McQueen failed to seize on the chance and fired wide.

The second half continued to be a dominant affair for the Young Lions, as Little played a ball across the box five minutes into the second half after some strong interplay, though none of his teammates could fire home from close range.

A wayward effort followed from Kavuma-McQueen in his search for a hat-trick. The attacker picked the ball up on the edge of the area, striking high and wide of the goal.

Shortly after, a shot by Little from the outskirts of the box required a diving fingertip save from Joensen, to prevent a third.

Michael Mills look to capitalise on a promising switch by Little, though the winger had his shot easily saved.

England made two changes with 25 minutes remaining, as 16 year old Barcelona starlet Ajay Tavares looked to add some attacking threat, alongside Tottenham’s Oliver Boast.

Boast wasted no time in his attempts for England’s third, as the forward fired a close-range header straight into the arms of the keeper.

Two further England changes came with 15 minutes remaining, as the search for a third continued in the later stages of the second half.

Harvey Higgins leapt to meet a cross with five minutes of the second half remaining, though his effort was denied after failing to generate any power behind the shot.

However, Higgins eventually added a third, with the substitute tapping the ball into an empty net two minutes into added time, to secure the victory.

Liam Bramley’s side will prepare to face Israel next in the qualifiers, on Saturday 28 March at St. George’s Park.

England: 1 Roman Dowell (Newcastle United), 2 Oscar Sandiford (Tottenham Hotspur), 3 Calvin Diakite (Chelsea), 4 Karim Cassim (Manchester City), 5 Marli Salmon (Arsenal), 6 Jacob Howard (Leeds United), 7 Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Chelsea), 9 Teddie Lamb (Manchester City), 10 JJ Gabriel (Manchester United), 14 Max Little (Southampton), 15 Michael Mills (Newcastle United)

Substitutions: 11 Ajay Tavares (Barcelona) for Mills 65’, 18 Oliver Boast (Tottenham Hotspur) for Lamb 65’, 19 Harvey Higgins (Blackburn Rovers) for Kavuma-McQueen 76’, 8 Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (Chelsea) for Gabriel 76’,17 Hugo De Lisle (Leicester City) for Little 89’

Goals: Kayuma-McQueen 11’, 19’, Higgins 90+1'

Head coach: Liam Bramley