England's U20s faced the U23s as they both prepare for competition.

Click on the link on the right to watch highlights of the match

It was an opportunity to gain competitive match practice in a training ground environment for the England Women's U20 team on Monday as they prepare for next week's World Cup.

Mo Marley's team went up against England's Under-23 team, who themselves were getting ready for a mini-tournament in the Midlands later this week.

And the meeting at Bisham Abbey was by no means a kickabout as both sides gave 100 percent, with the England National Coach Hope Powell watching on from the sidelines, surveying the talent at her disposal in the coming years.

And while the 3-0 scoreline in favour of Brent Hills' older Lions wasn't the most important thing to garner from the match, neither does it tell the full story of a game that could have finished much closer.

Had it not been for two point-blank blocks and a penalty save from Carly Telford, the U20s may have taken a creditable result as well as a hard-working performance with them to Germany.

As it was though, the experience was the telling factor for the U23s who face USA, Sweden and Norway at Warwick University during the next week.

It was a frenetic opening in the afternoon sunshine - something that both sides can expect in their coming campaigns.

Toni Duggan was a live-wire for the U20s, giving her older peers a hard time in deep-lying forward positions but, as would happen often during the game, without creating a serious chance at goal.

Both sets of players were sizing each other up whilst demonstrating the skill, technique and pace that has earned them their place among England's elite, and it wasn't until midway through the first half when the deadlock was broken - and nearly too was the net.

Kate Longhurst found herself with space behind the U20s' rear-guard and she unleashed a powerful drive into the roof of the net giving Lauren Davey little chance.

Longhurst then hit the bar with a header soon after, but ten minutes later substitute Carla Cantrell made it 2-0. The Leeds Carnegie forward had possession wide on the left for the team in the red training kit and delivered in a cross-cum-shot which was met by the foot of defender Chelsea Weston. She could only help it on its way past her own 'keeper.

Within four minutes of the start of the second-half, the U20s had a chance to pull one back. Sunderland's Lucy Staniforth was in the right wing position and crossed well to the far post where Danielle Carter was waiting to pounce.

However, the two defenders either side of the Arsenal forward, Rhianne Roberts and Fern Whelan, beat her to the ball, but it hit the hand of Roberts on the way down and a penalty was given.

Carter stepped up herself and drove low towards the bottom left corner, but Telford stretched well to push away for a corner.

From the resulting delivery, the ball landed at the feet of Rebecca Jane who looked odds on to score from close-range, but in a crowded area, Telford blocked again.

From a scoreline perspective, the game was put beyond Marley's team's reach with 55 minutes played.

The U23s had a deep free-kick wide on the right, which Danielle Bird sent in high towards the back post.

And the effort was well judged by the Birmingham City midfielder as it floated over the outstretched hand of replacement 'keeper Ashley Baker and into the top of the net.

Everton's Michelle Hinnigan came close to pulling one back with a well-placed shot from 25 yards that just evaded the post before Carter saw another late strike from six yards stopped by Telford.

And while the U20s continued to play their patient passing game, ultimately the experience of the U23s came through to take the spoils.

The Teams

England U20s (wearing white)
Lauren Davey, Lyndsey Cunningham, Shelby Hills, Kerys Harrop, Chelsea Weston, Jade Moore, Jordan Nobbs, Isobel Christiansen, Michelle Hinnigan, Rebecca Jane, Toni Duggan
Subs used Ashley Baker, Lucy Bronze, Gemma Bonner, Demi Stokes, Lucy Staniforth, Abbie Prosser, Jess Holbrook, Danielle Carter

England U23s (wearing red)
Marie Hourihan, Stephanie Houghton, Sophie Bradley, Fern Whelan, Claire Rafferty,  Kate Longhurst, Danielle Buet, Sophie Walton, Danielle Bird, Brooke Chaplen, Natasha Dowie
Subs used Carly Telford, Elizabeth Edwards, Carla Cantrell, Gemma Davison, Rhianne Roberts, Jemma Rose, Mel Sutcliffe