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By Mike Collett
BARCELONA, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Substitute Joe Cole scored twice to lead England to a very ordinary 2-0 victory over Andorra in their opening World Cup Group Six qualifying match at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
Cole, who replaced Stewart Downing at the start of the second half, fired England ahead after 49 minutes following a Frank Lampard free kick.
He added a second six minutes later as Fabio Capello's side took time to break down the part-timers, who did not have one goal attempt in 90 minutes.
Cole thought he had completed a hat-trick after 62 minutes when he turned in a shot from Glen Johnson but the goal was ruled offside.
Most of the game was played in Andorra's half, and although England -- in their first competitive match under Italian coach Capello -- dominated, their passing was often woeful and their crossing from the wings not much better in a poor first half.
The majority of England fans in the half-empty stadium remained good natured and supported the team even through the abject opening period, in stark contrast to the way they jeered them last time they played here under ex-coach Steve McClaren.
It was Andorra's second defeat in the competition after they lost their opening match 3-0 to Kazakhstan last month, while England at least have a win to their name before their much tougher match against Croatia next Wednesday.
FRUSTRATED AGAIN
England endured a frustrating night against Andorra in the European qualifiers in the same stadium 17 months ago before winning 3-0 and the pattern was much the same this time.
England went on the attack from the kickoff and dominated the play but were almost entirely unconvincing in everything they did until Capello changed things at halftime.
Andorra made little effort to take the game to England and were content to sit back and defend, and from their point of view their damage limitation tactics worked.
Despite their supposed vastly superior skill on the ball, much of England's approach play seemed frantic and uncontrolled and a stream of high, aimless crosses -- especially from Stewart Downing -- produced no serious attempts on goal.
Theo Walcott, preferred to David Beckham in the starting line-up, had a chance to open the scoring after a little dash in the second minute but lifted the ball high over the bar and although he looked promising at the start he quickly faded.
Wayne Rooney also shot high over the bar in the 17th minute while Lampard fired wide five minutes later.
Jermain Defoe beavered away in attack, but failed to have a shot on target and Andorran goalkeeper Koldo Alvarez and his defence came off at halftime slapping each other on the back.
In reality, all England took from a forgettable night was three qualifying points.
