The 1-0 defeat by the hosts, Slovakia, rounded off a miserable tournament for a team expected to do well, especially after their convincing win over Scotland on the opening day.
Slovakia 1-0 England
UEFA Regions Cup
Intermediary Round Group 2
National Sports Centre, Poprad, Slovakia
Saturday 27 September 2014
Last Thursday's crushing 7-0 defeat by Germany had ended England's qualification hopes, and Saturday's meeting with Slovakia was a chance to restore some pride.
But the game was played at a pedestrian pace with few opportunities falling to either side, although Mark Wolfenden, making his first start, looked lively up front for the Manxmen.
The second half marked an improvement with both sides trying to find the elusive first goal and Wolfenden and Lee Gale had a couple of efforts blocked.
The game’s only goal arrived on 81 minutes with Bilas firing home a free-kick following a foul by Frank Jones on Pancak.
England: Sam Holliday, Stephen Riding, Liam Cowin, Andy Crennell, Johnny Myers (captain), Dan Bell, Marc Kelly (Karl Clark 64), Conor Doyle, Jack McVey, Mark Wolfenden (Frank Jones 76) , Lee Gale (Ciaran McNulty 70). Subs not used: Josh Kelly, Max Thomas, Chris Bass, Julian Ringham.
