England book their passage

England kept up their record of qualifying for every UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals thanks to victory against the only team that could pip them in Elite round Group 2, the Republic of Ireland.

Previous wins
With group hosts England three points ahead before today having won their previous qualifiers against Serbia and Montenegro and Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland needed a victory to have any chance of making May's finals in Italy having defeated their northern neighbours but lost on Monday to the Serbo-Montenegrins.

Vital goals
Irish goalkeeper Stephen Henderson stook strong in the first period to keep the scores level, but two minutes into the second half, Hogan Ephraim turned in Theo Walcott's cross after a well-worked free-kick move for England. Four minutes later, Mark Davies was shown a red card, his second booking coming for encroachment, but England were not knocked off their stride and in a swift counterattack, Walcott turned in a ball from Myles Weston on the left.

Vaughan clincher
Four minutes from the end, Michael Spillane was dismissed for Ireland as he brought down Walcott when through on goal, and England extended the lead in added time through substitute James Vaughan - scoring his second goal in his second international appearance two days after his first. James Ryan struck a long-range consolation in the dying seconds, but Serbia and Montenegro's 6-1 victory against Northern Ireland in today's other game left Sean McCaffrey's side third in the group.

Brooking's praise
The English Football Association's director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking told TheFA.com: "The Under-17s have had a superb record over the past few years. John Peacock prepares his side very well and I have high hopes for them in May's finals in Italy."

Finals draw
Peacock's side can look ahead to the draw on 8 April, and in the tournament from 3-14 May will look to go a round further than the previous three editions, where they have reached the semi-finals each time.