Moldova in Dyer straits

England were in clover yesterday - and they were not entirely happy about it. The under-21s, playing on the same Republican Stadium pitch the senior team will use this afternoon, found the grass more suited to rugby than football.

Long and spongy, it included large clumps of clover and England took time to adjust. Once they settled, helped by a coating of rain which quickened the surface, they were able to ease to the first victory of Glenn Hoddle's reign. The FA hope the grass will receive a cut before the senior team play.

A well-taken first half goal by Crystal Palace's Bruce Dyer, and a more fortuitous second from Darren Eadie, of Norwich, looked to have secured England's win early in the second half. However, it needed a string of fine saves from goalkeeper Chris Day to deny a spirited Moldovan recovery.

With both sides ill at ease in the early stages, only a few half-chances materialised. The first moment of concern came after 14 minutes when Day fumbled a 30-yard shot from Oleg Belan. He redeemed himself by bravely diving at Ruslan Barbaros's feet to save the rebound.

As the Moldovans gained in confidence the Crystal Palace keeper denied Iulian Bursuc and safely held a long-range shot from Vaeceslav Rusnak. Darren Eadie volleyed over in response but his effort was soon surpassed as Barbaros, drifting away from his marker at the far post, brought an excellent save from Day with a volley.

With seven minutes left, England went ahead with one of the best moves of the half. Lee Bowyer perceptively picked out Eadie on the left and, when the cross came in, Dyer twisted to head in off the crossbar.

Moldova began the second half with a renewed spirit but England dealt well with their pressure and, after 52 minutes, scored a second. Moldova failed to clear from a series of crosses, the ball came out to Eadie and his 20-yard shot slipped embarrassingly under Sandu Chirilov's body.

Even in defeat the young Moldovans looked dangerous enough to guard against any complacency when England meet their elders today.