Stokes' strike earns draw for U23s
Monday, 28 February, 2011
A Demi Stokes goal on 63 minutes gave England a 1-1 draw with USA.
England 1-1 USA (USA win 4-2 on penalties)
Four Nations Tournament
Sunday 27 February 2011
La Manga
A Demi Stokes goal on 63 minutes earned England a 1-1 draw with USA in the second match of the Four Nations Tournament in La Manga.
Although USA won 4-2 on penalties, England still picked up a point and, allied to a 1-1 draw with Norway on Friday, Brent Hills’ side could clinch top spot in the group with a victory over Sweden on Tuesday.
“We were up against a very strong American team with ten players from the Women’s Professional Soccer League, and, although we got a draw, it was probably a missed opportunity, as was the Norway game on Friday,” said Hills.
“We equalised with a tremendous goal early in the second half and in terms of football we probably just shaded it. With a little bit more quality in the final third we’d have won both games.
“When you play USA it is always going to be difficult. If you can remain competitive throughout then you’re doing well and I was really pleased with our commitment.
“What I’m also pleased about is that going into the last match of a mini-tournament we still have a chance of finishing top.”
England
13 Ashley Baker, 2 Ashleigh Hincks (17 Toni Duggan, 76), 4 Chelsea Weston, 5 Dan Buet, 6 Demi Stokes, 7 Fern Whelan (C), 9 Jade Moore, 10 Kerys Harrop, 11 Mel Sutcliffe (8 Gemma Bonner, 90+1), 14 Natasha Dowie, 15 Rachel Williams (12 Michelle Hinnigan, 60)
Substitutes not used 1 Helen Alderson, 3 Brooke Chaplen, 13 Danielle Hill, 16 Remi Allen.