Mixed night for Under-21 starlets

Wales Under-21s put five goals past Luxembourg on Tuesday night, while England and the Republic of Ireland lost and Northern Ireland drew 1-1.England still have plenty of work ahead of them to be serious contenders to win the UEFA European Under-21 Championships after they were beaten 2-0 by France at the City Ground.England had forgotten what defeat felt like until their long unbeaten record ended against a vastly experienced Ecuador side in Malaga last month.But it is becoming an unwelcome familiar feeling after first-half goals from Gabriel Obertan and Moussa Sissoko made it two defeats in three friendly internationals either side of Friday's victory in Norway.Stuart Pearce's side, hampered by injuries and withdrawals, never hit their stride against a team that will not even be in Sweden this summer.The Republic of Ireland Under-21 side were on the wrong end of a 3-0 humbling by their Turkish counterparts at Turner's Cross.Turkey Under-21s remain top of their qualification group after sealing their victory with a memorable third goal in injury-time.Brian Flynn's Wales Under-21 side helped lift some of the gloom surrounding Welsh football with an outstanding victory in their UEFA Championship qualifier against Luxembourg Under-21s.Wales used the Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli's impressive new rugby stadium, for the first time and managed their highest score since beating Estonia 5-1 at this level in Wrexham three years ago.The goals were spread around with Neal Eardley, Simon Church - his eighth in 12 appearances - Jonathan Brown and Andy King scoring in the first half and James Wilson heading the fifth after the break.Luxembourg were outclassed, and their only reply was a breakaway from substitute Ben Polidori in the second half.A goal from Chris Casement capped a rousing fightback by Northern Ireland and gave them a 1-1 draw in their friendly with Ukraine at Portadown.The Wycombe defender got on the end of a flick from Jonny Taylor following a free-kick by Martin Donnelly to head home in the 71st minute.It was no more than Steve Beaglehole's side deserved for a fine second-half display in front of a healthy home crowd.Ukraine took the lead in the 36th minute from the penalty spot after Scott Gibb was penalised by referee Lee Evans for a challenge on Roman Zozulia.Levgenenii Konoplianka showed good composure to send goalkeeper Trevor Carson the wrong way from the spot.But the visitors, who managed a draw against European Championship finalists Serbia last week, found themselves on the back foot for most of the second half before Casement's deserved equaliser.

Source: Eurosport