Lions Edged Out In Latvia

Latvia Under-23: 1 (Visnakovs 26)   England C: 0

England C: Walker (McDonald 46), Oastler (Wood 46), Richards-Everton (Dean 46), Dunkley, Andrew, Donaldson (Moult 46), Armson, Pearson, Marsh-Brown, Hyde (Dunk 46), Norwood

Eduards Visnakovs’ cool first-half finish proved enough as England C fell in Jelgava.

Non-League’s Three Lions – featuring 13 debutants – were using the game as preparation for next year’s International Challenge Trophy.

Visnakovs was a real thorn in England’s side in the opening 45 minutes and after twice forcing Dover Athletic keeper Mitchell Walker into important saves he finally found the net.

Breaking clear the striker, who plies his trade in Poland with Widzew Lodz, rounded Walker and fired into an empty net after 25 minutes.

Before then the game had struggled to really get going with frequent fouls from both sides.

The goal sparked England into life and FC Halifax midfielder Matty Pearson’s shot looked destined for the top corner only for Arturs Vaiculis to make a flying save.

C boss Paul Fairclough made five changes at the break and it almost paid off immediately.

Cambridge United winger Harrison Dunk burst up the left and his cross was sliced behind for a corner.

Keanu Marsh-Brown was the next to find Vaiculis in great form when his low shot was brilliantly tipped round the post.

England were enjoying more possession as Latvia protected their lead. But despite pushing into the dying minutes the visitors were unable to get the equaliser.

Fairclough said: “I thought Latvia had the better of the first-half but we dominated the second-half.”

For a more extensive report plus interviews from the England camp and Matt Badcock’s match verdict, make sure you pick up this Sunday’s edition of The Non-League Paper!