Dutch defeat for Lions

England will do battle with Ireland on Saturday in a play-off for seventh place following their disappointing defeat to the Dutch.

Having not lost to Holland  in their three previous encounters, England had grounds for optimism during the early exchanges as both Wayne Ward and Michael Barker (pictured) went close.

However, England's initial burst failed to evolve into the energetic display required to overcome opponents as canny as the Dutch team.

Prompted by their captain Lockoff, they began to ask questions of the English defence and it was from the skipper's cross on ten minutes that they took the lead with a Brunnier header.

England struggled manfully to reassert themselves in the game but the vital inspiration was curiously lacking. With one eye on the clock and a chance to regroup, concentration strayed at a free-kick and Swinkels struck a hammer blow for a 2-0 lead.

Clearly energised by Head Coach Paul Harrison's half-time oration and the introduction of the effervescent Matthew Ellis, England showed a marked improvement in the second half.

Their pressure resulted in several free-kicks in threatening positions which were either blocked or sprayed wide.

With a quarter of the match remaining came England's key moment. Ellis's fine cross met Barker's head, the ball beat Van Breemen in the Dutch goal but not the frame of the goal.

By such small degrees are games won and lost and within two minutes Holland had closed the game out, Van De Ve intercepting a square ball to chip Gavin Wood and make it 3-0.

Barker's late penalty was a mere consolation as England were left to rue the individual errors which ultimately cost them the game.

England: Gavin Wood, Michael Wilson, Gary Davies, Richard Fox, Wayne Ward, Michael Barker, Junior Gordon.
Subs: Matthew Ellis, Nick Jackson, Stephen Brown, Jordan Raynes.