Young Spurs in international action (From Haringey Independent)

Tottenham Hotspur's Andros Townsend and Adam Smith start in England Under-21s' 2-0 win over Northern Ireland

3:20pm Wednesday 14th November 2012 in Local Sport By Tom Bodell

Young Tottenham pair Andros Townsend and Adam Smith both started for Stuart Pearce’s England Under-21s as they beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in a friendly at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road.

The duo were selected as part of a youthful England line-up which included a number of debutants with Liverpool’s Jack Robinson and Manchester United’s Nick Powell handed their debuts.

Making his first start for the Under-21s, Townsend had previously featured as a substitute against Serbia in the first leg of England’s Euro 2013 qualifier at Carrow Road back in October.

Townsend was replaced in the 60th minute by Bolton Wanderers loanee, Benik Afobe. The Arsenal forward went on to get England’s second after winning and converting a 75th minute penalty.

Smith, currently on-loan at Millwall, was winning his sixth England under-21’s cap and started at right-back.

The 21 year-old defender also played an hour before being withdrawn to be replaced by Southampton full-back, Nathaniel Clyne.