Town's Darren Bent was the star of the show as England's U19s beat Germany's youngsters 3-1 at Portman Road this evening. Bent scored two and came close to a hat-trick with three close efforts after his second in the 72nd minute. Town's other England U19 man Matt Bloomfield came on after 64 minutes.

England went ahead in the seventh minute when Crewe's Dean Ashton won the ball from a hesitant defender on halfway, took the ball forward before playing the ball left to Wimbledon's Lionel Morgan who had little trouble in beating Haas in the German goal.

With a young but enthusiastic crowd behind them England were on top throughout the second half and the Germans were lucky to stay at 11 men when Haas handled outside the area. David Elleray, however, failed to notice.

With three minutes of the first half left, the impressive Ashton played Bent in from his position wide on the right and the Town man hammered home. It was all England deserved after a half where they had dominated and keeper Lonergan had had little to do.

In the second half the game was quieter with both sides making numerous substitutions. Town's Matt Bloomfield came on just after the hour, although his entrance was less spectacular than Germany's Marcel Scheid who headed one back for his side with his first touch after entering in the 61st minute.

Bent's second came from Newcastle striker Michael Chopra's excellent right-wing cross. Bent met it at the near post and flicked it past Haas.

The atmosphere at Portman Road was reminiscent of a schoolboy international, dominated by children who presumably went home happy with the result and the local boy.

Photo: Action Images

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