Poland 'A' 0-2 England

UEFA Friendly Tournament
Lech Stadium, Poznan
09 October 2005

England won their second match of the UEFA Friendly Tournament, beating the first team of hosts Poland 2-0 in Poznan.

A much more disciplined, professional performance saw England take command of the match from early on and they could have taken the lead inside a couple of minutes.

From their first corner of the match, Blackburn Rovers striker Joe Garner rose highest to direct a firm header at goal which the Polish goalkeeper did brilliantly to turn away.

England didn't have to wait long though as Derby County winger Lee Holmes scored the game's opening goal ten minutes in.

He cut in from the right, got past a couple of defenders before firing a low shot past the despairing dive of the Polish 'keeper.

Just after half-time, the home side's task became all the more difficult when they were reduced to ten men - Marcin Siedlarz dismissed for a second bookable offence.

England capitalised on that misfortune to make it 2-0 on 50 minutes. Leeds United debutant Gavin Rothery finished calmly from eight yards out after the goalkeeper had only parried another effort from the impressive Holmes.

Poland's brightest moment came on 67 minutes when a shot got past David Knight but not Gary Roberts, who cleared adroitly from off the line.

Still Martin Hunter's side came forward and they could have added more goals to make the scoreline more comprehensive, though Jimmy Smith, Garner and Holmes were all kept out by the goalkeeper.

England now look forward to their final match of the tournament against the Poland 'B' team on Tuesday.

Poland 0-2 England, Poznan, 09 October 2005

England: David Knight - Middlesbrough, Nathan Ashton - Charlton Athletic, Billy Jones - Crewe Alexandra, Ben Parker - Leeds United, Gary Roberts - Crewe Alexandra (capt.) (Adam Johnson - Middlesbrough, 90), Lee Holmes - Derby County, Gavin Rothery - Leeds United, Myles Weston - Charlton Athletic, Joe Garner - Blackburn Rovers, Jimmy Smith - Chelsea.

Goals: Holmes 10, Rothery 50