Smallbone nets brace in Ireland U21s clash
Will Smallbone scored a brace for Jim Crawford's Ireland Under-21s side in their 3-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.
A dominant start for Ireland's youngsters saw Saints man Smallbone take advantage and hit the back of the net after 16 minutes in Dublin – his first goal for Ireland U21s. The midfielder picked up the ball in the midfield and raced forward, sending the ball under a diving keeper to open the scoring.
Despite the bright start, it was just the one Smallbone goal that separated the two sides at half-time as Bosnia and Herzegovina defended resolutely after going behind.
West Ham's Ademipo Odubeko doubled the deficit in the second half and settled the Ireland side, going one-on-one with the keeper and slotting home in the 63rd minute after a period of dangerous play from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final third.
Smallbone secured his brace and made it three for Ireland in the 81st minute, calmly knocking the ball in at the back post from a Tyreik Wright ball and putting the tie out of reach.
A top performance from Saints' Smallbone, as the Ireland side look to cement their place in the Group F table of the U21 EUROs qualifying.
