Poland 'B' 2-1 England

UEFA Friendly Tournament
Pniewy
11 October 2005

England lost 2-1 to Poland 'B' in their final match of the UEFA Friendly Tournament in Poznan.

The tournament was taking place in Poland and involved three sides who have automatically qualified for the Second Round of European Championship Qualification.

Having boosted their spirits thanks to a fine win over Poland 'A' on Sunday, England were full of confidence and they started the match in positive fashion.

After putting the Polish defence under pressure for spells in the first half an hour, Martin Hunter's side took a deserved first lead through Crewe Alexandra's Gary Roberts.

Roberts, who had only just come on for Chelsea's Jimmy Smith, was quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the area and he slammed a low drive past Przemystaw Rubdak in the Polish goal.

The home side's response was swift and they equalised five minutes later when Przemystaw Trytko beat Joe Lewis with a rasping drive.

In truth Poland deserved to be level as they soon started to find their way into a match that hitherto Martin Hunter's side had controlled with excellent, composed midfield passing.

Nevertheless, England didn't let the disappointment of conceding a goal so close to half-time show as they came out for the second period as much the better team.

Both sides had chances to go in to the lead with Garner, Walker and Weston all going close but it wasn't until the last 20 minutes that the Three Lions really made Rubdak work hard.

On 69 minutes Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson nearly put the Three Lions into the lead for a second time but his free-kick was tipped just over the bar by Rubdak.

The Polish number one was proving to be a real thorn in England's side and a couple of minutes later he pulled off another superb save, this time pushing a firm shot onto the post.

Just as the match looked to be heading towards a draw, a moment of hesitation in the England defence allowed the Poles to score a decisive second goal fifteen minutes from time.

A neat passing move in midfield had England stretched and this time it was Rafat Napierata who stole in to guide the ball past Lewis.

In the game's closing moments Hunter's side threw everything forward but Poland held firm to take all three points.

Poland 'B' v England, UEFA Friendly Tournament, 11 October 2005

England: Joe Lewis - Norwich City, Ben Parker - Leeds United (capt.), Simon Walton - Leeds United, David Wheater - Middlesbrough, Nathan Ashton - Charlton Athletic, Jimmy Smith - Chelsea (Gary Roberts - Crewe Alexandra, 20), Myles Weston - Charlton Athletic, Gavin Rothery - Leeds United, Adam Johnson - Middlesbrough, James Walker - Charlton Athletic, Joe Garner - Blackburn Rovers

Poland 'B' Goals: Trytko 44, Napierata 75

England Goals: Roberts 39