Tough test for Guernsey County Senior League in Dublin.

England’s representatives in this season’s UEFA Regions Cup found the going tough when they visited Dublin to tackle the Republic of Ireland’s National Amateur side in a warm-up game.

England, in the shape of the Guernsey County Senior League, crashed 5-2 in a match played in sometimes wet and blustery conditions. The side, which qualified for Europe as winners of The FA National League System Cup, travelled to Ireland without one of their leading players. 

David Rihoy, a prolific goalscorer over the years, suffered an ankle injury which will also keep him out of the Preliminary Round qualifying tournament in Croatia at the end of the month. Despite this setback, the side took an early lead with Ross Allen netting after only two minutes. The lead was short lived however when David Lacey equalised two minutes later. The same player scored a second goal on 13 minutes for the home side to go into the half-time break 2-1 up. 

Any hope of a comeback was dashed three minutes into the second half when Hughes added a third for the home side. The Republic went 4-1 up on 69 minutes when the impressive Lacey completed his hat trick. Simon Tostevin pulled a goal back for the visitors on 76 minutes but Lar Dunne made the game safe for the home side with a fifth three minutes later.

Despite the scoreline, the side performed well against much stronger opponents than they might meet on the Island, and has set a marker for what lies ahead when they take on opponents from Croatia, Turkey and Wales in Split.

Follow the fortunes of the team on TheFA.Com