England 1-2 Holland

Friendly Under-21 International
Pride Park, Derby
08 February 2005

Leroy Lita scored on his debut for England Under-21s but couldn't save the Young Lions from a 2-1 defeat against impressive Holland.

More than 33,000 fans packed into Pride Park and gave Peter Taylor’s side magnificent backing, despite seeing them go 2-0 down in the first half.

Bristol City striker Lita, who has 20 goals already this season for his club, came on as a substitute in a much-improved second half - and scored in the 89th minute to set up a frantic finale.

But it was not quite enough as the Dutch held on for a narrow victory.

In truth, the first half had been disappointing for England as Holland took a two-goal lead and put Taylor’s young side - who all wore ‘no to racism sock-ties’ to back the campaign against prejudice - on the back foot.

The first goal came after only 18 minutes, when Fulham’s Collins John comfortably turned home a low cross from winger Eldridge Roger.

It was a warning sign that England failed to heed, because they conceded a second after 37 minutes when sleepy defending from a Stijn Schaars free-kick on the right allowed Roger, possibly the smallest player on the pitch, to head home unchallenged.

With Holland passing the ball smartly it was a steep learning curve for some of Taylor’s youngsters, but there were signs of better things to come.

Newcastle’s Steven Taylor lobbed narrowly over the bar in the sixth minute following confusion in the box, and Wayne Routledge had a bobbling 20-yarder well saved soon after.

Holland’s opening goal spurred England into action and they produced their best move of the half after 32 minutes when Liam Ridgewell passed down the line for Carlton Cole, whose cross was spectacularly volleyed just over the bar by James Milner.

The Young Lions came even closer to scoring when Cole charged down a clearance from keeper Boy Waterman. The ball seemed destined for the net but as both players hared after it, Waterman just tackled his man right on the line and saved his blushes.

Cole was injured in that collision and substituted after 40 minutes for Jonathan Stead, rather than risk any further damage.

Coach Taylor also brought on Liverpool’s John Welsh, Derby keeper Lee Camp and Man United winger Kieran Richardson at half-time, but even then the Dutch were tough to break down.

With Raymond Fafiani of FC Twente controlling midfield and captain Nicky Hofs interchanging neatly with his teammates, England found it hard to get a foothold in the game.

The Young Lions were missing several key players and gave Derby’s Tom Huddlestone his first Under-21 cap in midfield.

The youngster, who will join Tottenham at the end of the season, responded with two fine efforts in front of his home crowd – the first fizzing over the bar from 20 yards and the second well saved after 58 minutes.

England picked up pace after the hour mark, with Richardson putting Stead through on goal for an effort that was blocked and then Milner drilling an effort only inches wide.

Bristol City livewire Lita also came on for his Under-21 debut after 64 minutes, while Tottenham’s Dean Marney had a remarkable impact on his arrival.

He was booked within seconds of coming onto the pitch and then fired a wonderful chance wide after cutting inside the area to shoot with his left foot a minute later.

There was much more invention about England by this stage and striker Welsh, who is highly-rated after playing at every youth level for his country, fired a 30 yard effort only narrowly over the bar.

The Liverpool man gave England hope in the dying stages when he crossed for Lita to flick home with his head.

The Bristol man celebrated in style but it wasn't enough to save the Young Lions from defeat.

Team Details

England U21: Carson (Camp 46), Hoyte (Lita 65), Baines (Welsh 46), Huddlestone, Taylor, Ridgewell, Routledge (Marney 70), Whittingham, Cole (Stead 41), Ashton (Richardson 46), Milner.
Subs Not Used: Harding, Watson, Carter, Lonergan.

Goals: Lita 90

Holland U21: Waterman, Verhaegh, Wolfgang (Maduro 77), Van Mosselveld, Braafheid, Schaars, De Ridder, Fafiani (Tuyp 85), John, Hofs, Joger (Korf 83).
Subs Not Used: De Zeeuw, Pasveer, Van Der Struyk.

Goals: John 19, Joger 37

Attendance: 33,184

Referee: Darko Ceferin (Slovenia).