England MU20s were left disappointed at a rain-sodden Peterborough after a 3-0 defeat to Czech Republic.
Keith Downing’s side were solid in the first half but three goals after the break saw them miss out to a Czech side who were both skilful and composed.
Midfielder Patri Hellebrand produced two contrasting but equally impressive strikes early in the second half to turn a previously evenly-balanced contest decisively in favour of the visitors.
He left substitute goalkeeper Tom McGill helpless with a fierce rising shot in the 51st minute then kept his cool to slide a subtle second into the corner of the England net on the hour.
When defender David Zima’s shot bounced into the net off the underside of the bar in the 74th minute, the result was all-but confirmed.
Despite enjoying more possession, clear-cut chances proved hard for the hosts to fashion against a well-marshalled Czech back four.
Ian Poveda Ocampo’s deflected shot was the first real effort of note, while a trio of half chances for striker Jonathan Leko saw England threaten at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Full back Brandon Williams was behind several of the home side’s best attacks in the first half but their patience approach failed to unlock the Czechs.
The nearest England came was when Angel Gomes, who scored twice in last week's 2-2 draw in Italy, curled a 20-yard free kick narrowly off target in the 36th minute.
At the other end, Billy Crellin saved Jan Fortelny’s low shot on the half hour and was grateful to see Jifi Slama’s 20-yarder flash wide, before the Czechs took control to prevail in the second half.
The Young Lions are next in action in November, with a trip to Portugal followed by a home clash against Iceland at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park, on Tuesday 19 November 2019.
England: 1 Billy Crellin (Fleetwood Town), 2 Tariq Lamptey (Chelsea), 3 Brandon Williams (Manchester United), 4 Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) (c), 5 Nathan Ferguson (West Bromwich Albion), 6 Lewis Gibson (Everton), 7 Ian Poveda-Ocampo (Manchester City), 8 Andre Dozzell (Ipswich Town), 9 Jonathan Leko (Charlton Athletic, loan from West Bromwich Albion), 10 Callum Slattery (Southampton), 11 Angel Gomes (Manchester United)
Substitutes: 13 Tom McGill (Brighton & Hove Albion) for Crellin 46, 16 Ryan Giles (Shrewsbury Town, loan from Wolves) for Williams 65, 18 Jack Clarke (Tottenham Hotspur) for Slattery 65, 19 Danny Loader (Reading) for Leko 75, 17 Luke Bolton (Luton Town, loan from Manchester City) for Ocampo 75, 15 Flynn Downes (Ipswich Town) for Dozzell 65, 12 Joel Latibeaudiere (FC Twente, loan from Manchester City) for Lamptey 85
Substitutes not used: 14 Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham Hotspur), 22 Josef Bursik (Accrington Stanley, loan from Stoke City)
Head coach: Keith Downing
