England C were undone by two goals in two minutes as Cyprus Under-21 came from behind to win in Larnaca.
Non-League’s Three Lions had led at the break through Andy Yiadom’s first-half header.
But goals from Kyriakou Charalambos and Andreou Adamos won it for the hosts, who had Andreou Kristis sent off late on.
Cyprus U21s 2-1 England C
International Friendly
2pm, Tuesday 17 February 2015
Ammochotos Stadium, Larnaca
England C manager Paul Fairclough was hoping to use the friendly to keep that winning feeling after an impressive performance, and 4-2 win, against Estonia U21s last November.
And they took the lead on 22 minutes. Elliot Frear worked his way up the left and although the Forest Green winger’s initial cross was blocked, the ball came out to left-back Lee Brown.
The Bristol Rovers defender whipped over a deep cross and Yiadom, arriving right on cue, powered his header into the top corner.
It was the Barnet man’s second England C goal in consecutive games, having opened his account against Estonia.
Chances had been few before the goal, although Cyprus did clip the bar from a skewed cross, and little changed after it.
England had to be alert to snuff a Cypriot attack and James Norwood couldn’t pick out Frear after a quick Three Lions counter.
England C manager Paul Fairclough vowed to give his whole squad at least 45 minutes, with late call-up Alex Woodyard coming on to make history as Concord Rangers’ first international.
The England C line up before Cyprus clash (photo: PPAUK)
Initially the changes didn’t seem to disrupt England’s rhythm – but it was the hosts who grabbed the equaliser.
Charalambos wriggled clear in the box and planted the ball past Calum Kitscha on 58 minutes.
Two minutes later, the game had turned on its head. Kristis beat the offside trap and crossed low. The ball bounced around, England couldn’t clear their lines and Adamos fired in from close range.
But Yiadom almost grabbed an equaliser with time running out. Dover Athletic striker Stefan Payne rolled his marker, and played Yiadom in. His low shot looked certain to nestle in the bottom corner, but it was blocked on the line.
England couldn’t find a way through, although there was time for Cyprus striker Kristis to be shown a straight red for a lunge on Payne.
England C: (4-4-2): Andy Coughlin (Calumn Kitscha 46); James Bolton (Andy Halls 46), Marc Roberts (c), Tom Parkes, Lee Brown; Andy Yiadom, Matty Pearson (Alex Woodyard 46), Kingsley James (Paul Lewis 46), Elliott Frear, James Norwood (Stefan Payne 46), Jordan Burrow.
