England struggle past Andorra

Scots march halted by world champions

Healy is NI hero again

—– The game that should have proved there are easy games in international football sees England struggle past Andorra.
With the game switched to the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, the vast majority of the 12,800 crowd is made up of England supporters.
Against a nation whose entire population would comfortably fit inside Old Trafford, such is the paucity of England’s performance in a goalless first half that they are subjected to constant barracking by their travelling fans.
Although Andorra continue to keep ten men behind the ball, the tempo is upped in the second half with the impressive Steven Gerrard - used in a central midfield role in Frank Lampard’s injury absence - easing nerves and tempers with a brace.
A third is added shortly before time with the fairytale story of the night.
Coming on as a sub, David Nugent - playing in League Two only two years ago - becomes the first Preston North End player to represent England since the great Sir Tom Finney and the first non-Premiership player since Sunderland’s Michael Gray in 1999.
The dream comes true as the highly-rated 21 year-old nets the third from on the goal-line.
Steve McClaren is closer to nightmare territory though.
Having received a barrage of jeers from the stands following days of unfavourable coverage in the newspapers, the England coach brings a brief post-match press conference to an abrupt end: “Gentlemen, if you want to write whatever you want to write, you can write it because that is all I am going to say. Thank you.”
The win leaves England in fourth place in their Euro 2008 qualifying group, although the top four are only separated by two points at the halfway stage.

—– Scotland lose top slot in Group B after a 0-2 defeat by world champions Italy in Bari.
Two headers from Fiorentina striker Luca Toni throws the Scots’ hopes of reaching next year’s finals in to doubt but captain Barry Ferguson remains confident: “We can qualify. We have to be positive. We will regroup and look to get three points when we visit the Faroe Islands in our next match.”

—– Another remarkable night at Windsor Park sees Northern Ireland replace Sweden at the top of Group F.
David Healy continues his fantastic international form as his double keeps NI on track to reach their first tournament since 1986.
The Leeds United striker has scored nine of Northern Ireland’s ten goals in their qualifying campaign and a total of 29 goals in 56 appearances.
Having received a standing ovation after being substituted in the dying seconds, he reflected on another glorious night in Belfast: “The second goal was probably the sweeter as it was the winner but my first was definitely the better strike, although all goals at Windsor Park are sweet.”

—– A first-half goal from Reading’s Kevin Doyle’s keeps the Republic of Ireland’s qualification hopes alive as they beat Slovakia at Croke Park.
The Republic are level on points at the top of Group D with Germany and Czech Republic with an inferior goal difference.
Amid a tricky start to his reign as coach, Steve Staunton can see definite signs of progress: “The back five have kept three or four clean sheets now which is excellent defensively.
“We’ve got some wonderful young talent coming through and they showed that especially in the first half.
“The lads played with a lot of pride and passion. They shifted the ball quickly like we know they can.”

—– Wales’ forlorn hopes of qualification are reflected by a crowd of less than 20,000 at the Millennium Stadium.
They secure an anticipated comfortable 3-0 win against San Marino.
Following Saturday’s disappointing display in Dublin, coach John Toshack welcomes a much improved performance: “We’re happy with the result but it still doesn’t make up for the result on Saturday.
“Up until that game we had been going well - even in the Slovakia game we lost at home we played the way I wanted.”

—– Bristol Rovers’ hopes of ground-sharing at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate while the Memorial Stadium is re-developed are dashed.
City chairman Stephen Lansdown announces they are no longer considering Rovers’ proposal.
In a £35million project, the current home will become a 18,500 all-seater venue.
Work is due to start at the end of the year, and they have also been in ground-share talks with Swindon Town, Cheltenham Town and Bath City.