SUPER-SUB Gary Roberts steered the England National Game XI to a 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland to kick-off the Four Nations Tournament.
The Accrington Stanley winger came off the bench to supply both goals in last night's triumph in Eastbourne.
Stanley team-mate Ian Craney started the game but was forced off with a slight hamstring strain on 70 minutes, when Roberts was one half of a double substitution which changed the game after England had failed to capitalise on a host of chances.
Roberts was introduced with Craney's replacement, Michael Carr, and the duo combined to fire England in front as Roberts fired a left-wing delivery to the far post, where Carr rose to nod home.
England were visibly buoyed by their goal and doubled their lead eight minutes later, with Roberts again the provider.
This time the 22-year-old had his free kick tipped onto the bar by Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Terry Masterson, before chipping the resultant corner back into the box for Grays Athletic's Dennis Oli to head home from two yards.
Now Stanley midfielder Craney has backed England to win tomorrow's showdown with Wales and Saturday's game against Scotland to win the tournament, so he and Roberts can sign of their non-league international stint in style.
"I think we have a good chance of winning the tournament," he said.
"It's probably the strongest squad I've played in, in terms or experience, plus the form that the players are in.
"If you look at every player they have either won something this season or have been unlucky not to win something.
"It could be mine and Gary's last ever time playing for this team, depending on how things go now we've won promotion with Accrington, so we have to make it worthwhile."
In the night's other Four Nations Tournament game at Bognor Regis Town, Wales beat Scotland 2-1.
England: Shwan Jalal, Simon Travis, Darran Kempson, Kieran Charnock, John Nutter, Dennis Oli, Stuart Thurgood, Ian Craney (Michael Carr, 70mins), George Boyd, Aaron McLean (Craig Mackail-Smith, 85mins) Justin Richards (Gary Roberts, 70mins) Att: 824.
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