England Women's U19s 1-1 Republic of Ireland

Saturday 08 Mar 2014
Jade Bailey captained England against Ireland

England opened up their La Manga Tournament campaign with a 1-1 draw against Republic of Ireland.

Arsenal youngster Jade Bailey, who was a part of the London 2012 opening ceremony, gave Mo Marley’s side a dream start, firing them ahead inside the first minute.

But the Irish responded and found an equaliser just after the hour mark.

 

England 1-1 Ireland

La Manga Women's U19 Tournament
Saturday 8 March
La Manga, Spain

 

 

Six of England's starting XI helped last year’s crop of U19s reach the Euro 2013 final, while there was a debut at this level for goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley.

The second group match is against France on Monday, followed by Italy on Wednesday.

Marley is using this annual friendly tournament as a key preparation tool for next month’s European Championship qualifiers, where the Young Lions will face Denmark, Serbia and Finland.

The Head Coach also has to ready a side for the FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup which takes place in Canada in August.

England have been drawn in Group C alongside South Korea, Mexico and Nigeria.

England: 1 Sophie Baggaley, 2 Aoife Mannion, 3 Rosella Ayane, 4 Jade Bailey (C), 6 Ellie Stewart, 8 Abbey-Leigh Stringer, 9 Lucy Whipp, 10 Katie Zelem, 11 Natasha Flint, 15 Leah Williamson, 16 Sarah Mayling

Substitutes: 7 Jenna Legg for Ayane, 63, 14 Millie Turner for Stringer, 80, 19 Jess Carter for Flint, 80

Substitutes not used: 5 Vyan Sampson, 12 Sophie Stamp, 13 Caitlin Leach, 17 Coral Haines, 18 Jodie Brett, 20 Karin Muya

 

By Glenn Lavery