Pearson’s double strike

CHADDERTON’S Ben Pearson scored twice for England Under-19s on Saturday night as they crushed Andorra 7-0 in a UEFA European Championship qualifier in Ptuj, Slovenia.

Manchester United reserve and youth team midfield star Pearson played the full 90 minutes of the game, and now just a draw against Switzerland in Slovenia tomorrow will be enough to steer Noel Blake’s young Lions into the Elite Group qualifying stage which takes place next Spring.

After Saturday’s win, during which Pearson grabbed both his goals in a five-minute period just before half-time, the Chadderton ace said: “We knew it would tough to break through as we knew Andorra would be putting 10 men behind the ball from the off.

“But we were patient and kept going, and the goals eventually came. We came away with a deserved victory. I was really pleased with my two goals.”