Young Lionesses clinch the IFA Women's International Cup

Sunday 23 Oct 2016
Charlie Wellings in club action for Birmingham

England Under-19s won all three tournament matches to lift the Women’s International Cup.

Powerhouses USA were the first side to be defeated, courtesy of a Rinsola Babajide goal and a fine strike by Charlie Wellings either side of Mireya Grey’s equaliser.

Host nation Northern Ireland were next to be put to the sword, and in ruthless fashion.

Women's International Cup

ENGLAND 3-1 France
Northern Ireland 0-5 ENGLAND
ENGLAND 2-1 USA

Birmingham youngster Wellings opened the scoring by capitalising on a mistake by goalkeeper Caoimhe Callaghan before crossing for Lucy Shepherd to double the lead just two minutes later.

Wellings scored her second just before half-time when she collected a pass from Georgia Allen and coolly slotted the ball home.

Zoe Cross added a fourth with a thunderous strike shortly after the interval and Sian Johnson completed the rout with a direct free-kick.

And Mo Marley’s charges made it a clean sweep on Sunday by beating France 3-1 at Windsor Park.

Babajide nabbed her second goal of the tournament to put the Lionesses 1-0 up, only for Julie Thibaud to level things up.

But Rianna Dean restored England’s lead and captain Grace Fisk rounded off a great week for her side by adding a third.

Marley used this friendly tournament as preparation for the elite qualifying round of the European Championship which takes place next spring.

Due to their impressive recent record in the Euros, which includes four final appearances in seven seasons, England were given a bye to the final stage of qualifying for next summer’s tournament.

By FA Staff