England got off to the best possible start in the second phase of their Euro qualifiers.
UEFA European Women’s U17 Championship,
2nd Qualifying Round, Group 1
Tuesday 25 March
England 4-0 Czezh Republic
Rebecca Jane 3', Danielle Carter 49' 60', Jessica Holbrook 80'
Lois Fidler's side got off to the best possible start in their attempts to qualify for the inaugural UEFA European U17 Women's Championship
when they defeated the Czech Republic 4-0 on the outskirts of Prague.
Following success in phase 1 with their 100% undefeated record, Lois Fidler's side got off to a flyer.
Rebecca Jane opened the scoring after two minutes, meeting a through ball from the captain, Toni Duggan, and slotting the ball past the 'keeper. After going behind, the Czechs responded well by pressuring the young England side, giving them little time and space. The strong winds and snow didn't help either side but England held on till half time.
After the conditions cleared up and the sun shone, England came out with purposein the second half and showed their passion by attacking the tiring Czech defence, and pushing for the second goal.
All the pressure started to pay off, and the youngest squad member Danielle Carter on her U17 debut got on the end of an Isobel Christiansen cross from the right wing and netted England's second. The young debutant wasn't finshed there, and after a further 10 minutes, netted her second and England's third with a similar attack down the right hand side.
With the security of a three goal lead, England were in control of the game and played some quality football, with the U19 experience of Gemma Bonner and Gilly Flaherty at the back helping England keeper Lauren Davey keep a clean sheet. Davey wasn't a spectator though, being called into action a number of times to pull of some top drawer saves.
The fitness of the English showed as the final minutes approached and late substitute Lucy Staniforth chased a long ball, which fell to Jessica Holbrook who sealed the win for England.
In the other game in Group One, The Netherlands and Belgium drew 1-1, and it is the Belgian's who will next face England at AFK Libčice tomorrow afternoon.
The first UEFA European Women's U17 Championship final tournament will be held at the Colovray Stadium in Nyon, Switzerland with the teams competing for the trophy below.
Located opposite UEFA headquarters, the venue will stage the semi-finals on Tuesday 20 May and the third-place match and final three days later.
The Colovray Stadium previously staged the 2004 men's U19 final, marking UEFA's golden jubilee. Due to exceptional circumstances, this is the first time the UEFA administration has acted as a final tournament host, and the top three finishers will qualify for the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand from 28 October to 16 November.
England Squad:
Lauren Davey, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly, Jessica Holbrook, Gemma Bonner, Gilly Flaherty, Isobel Christiansen (Lucy Staniforth 73mins)
Jordan Nobbs, Toni Duggan, Danielle Carter (Sarah Wiltshire, 65mins), Rebecca Jane
Unused Subs:
Stephanie Marsh, Amy Carr, Jodi Jacobs, Naomi Chadwick, Rachel Pitman