Report: England MU19s 1-0 Hungary

England men’s under-19s started their U19 EURO elite qualifying round campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Hungary in Walsall.

The Young Lions are hosting elite round Group 7 over the next week, with four teams battling it out for a place at this summer’s U19 EURO Finals in Malta.

Simon Rusk’s side kicked off the second round of qualifying at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium tonight ahead of a match with Iceland at Rotherham’s New York Stadium on Saturday 25 March (2pm GMT), before the group concludes against Turkey at Chesterfield’s Technique Stadium on Tuesday 28 March (7.30pm BST).

England took the lead just after the half-hour mark against Hungary when a cross from the left by Luke Chambers was turned home by Chelsea’s Charlie Webster after the goalkeeper had parried.

The Young Lions were impressing down the left-hand side, with Lewis Hall and Chambers linking up well, but it was an opening period few clear openings.

Hall went close to adding a second ten minutes after the restart when the Chelsea starlet curled an effort from the left edge of the box, which was heading for the top right corner until Armin Pecsi managed to just get his fingertips to the ball.

The Young Lions’ hopes of victory were boosted two minutes later when Zsombor Gruber was sent off for a second yellow card for simulation and substitute Kobbie Mainoo almost capitalised when he worked his way into the box and had a powerful strike saved.

But despite having ten men, the visitors almost levelled when Ben Nelson had to clear off his own line.

England enjoyed 11 attempts at goal compared to Hungary’s one but were unable to find the second goal which would have ensured a less nervy finish.

Attention now switches to Saturday’s second match against Iceland, with tickets at Rotherham United’s ground costing £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions, with ten complimentary tickets available for England Accredited Football Clubs. You can find out more ticket information by clicking here.

England: 1 James Beadle (Crewe Alexandra, loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), 2 Reuell Walters (Arsenal), 3 Luke Chambers (Kilmarnock, loan from Liverpool), 4 Charlie Webster (Chelsea), 5 Ben Nelson (Doncaster Rovers, loan from Leicester City), 7 Sonny Perkins (Leeds United), 8 Darko Gyabi (Leeds United) ©, 9 Divin Mubama (West Ham United), 11 George Hall (Birmingham City), 15 Ashley Phillips (Blackburn Rovers), 18 Lewis Hall (Chelsea)

Substitutes: 12 Omari Forson (Manchester United) for Mubama 62, 10 Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) for Webster 62, 14 Will Dickson (Manchester City) for Perkins 77, 20 Amario Cozier-Duberry (Arsenal) for G Hall 77, 6 Adam Wharton (Blackburn Rovers) for Gyabi 90

Substitutes not used: 13 Joe Whitworth (Crystal Palace), 16 Lee Jonas (Liverpool), 17 Zak Sturge (Chelsea), 19 Reyes Cleary (West Bromwich Albion)

Head coach: Simon Rusk

Goals: Charlie Webster 33