Two Brentford B players helped England Under-19 to a win in Walsall last night. England beat Republic of Ireland 3-1 in the first of three vital matches in six days. Goalkeeper Matthew Cox and defender Daniel Oyegoke won caps in the win.

England are playing the elite, final, stage of the qualification process for the UEFA European Under-19 Championships. The event will be played in Slovakia this summer. England are involved in a four-team round-robin group to decide who will take a place in the tournament.

England beat Ireland last night thanks to two goals from Aston Villa midfield player Carney Chukwuemeka. He saw England over the line after an early strike from Dane Scarlett, of Tottenham Hotspur, had been cancelled out. Matthew played the full match in goal for England while Daniel was a second half substitute.

The other two teams in the group - Armenia and Portugal - also met yesterday. Portugal won 4-0. England face Armenia on Saturday, 26 March, in Rotherham, and then Portugal in Chesterfield next Tuesday, 29 March.

Both players have been regularly involved with England at youth level. It was Matthew's seventh England cap. He has played for his country at Under-17 and Under-20 level as well as the four Under-19 caps he has earned. Daniel has eight Under-19 caps and has played 15 times for England in total.