WEST Ham hot-shot Freddie Sears scored both goals as England U19s took a giant step to securing their place at this summer's European Championship finals with a 2-0 win over Poland.

The 18-year-old - making his first full start at U19 international level - opened the scoring with a good finish in the 29th minute before wrapping up the victory with an 85th minute penalty.

Irons team-mate James Tomkins also completed 90 minutes as the young lions began their Elite Qualifying campaign in Borisov, Belarus with victory.

Brian Eastick's side face Serbia in the four-team mini-tournament tomorrow (Wednesday). They complete their trip by taking on Belarus in Minsk on Saturday.

Should they top the group, England will qualify for the eight-team finals tournament in the Czech Republic in July.