DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson’s England Veterans are through to the Seniors World Cup semi-finals with a perfect record after a 2-1 win over New Zealand at the Hua Hin Stadium in Thailand.

Thompson, 55, did not start against the All Whites having begun the holders’ 4-1 win over Taiwan less than 24 hours earlier.

And after an edgy start in which both teams struggled to settle, the deadlock was eventually broken by a defensive error.

England won a corner and New Zealand failed to clear sufficiently, allowing centre-back Jonny Haigh to slam home the loose ball.

England’s goal swept away the nerves and they forced two excellent stops from the New Zealand goalkeeper as both Rod Thornley and Alex Russell were denied before the break.

After grabbing the opening goal from a corner, England were pegged back by the same method as New Zealand equalised soon after the restart.

But England did not relent as Thornley, captain on the day, saw a powerful shot pawed onto the bar to present Barry Hayles with a simple chance for 2-1.

England eventually held on for their third success in three days, and will play the Group A runner-up on Friday at 12pm UK time, again at the Hua Hin Stadium.

The final is scheduled to take place at the same venue on Saturday, 12pm UK time.