Derby County’s Ashleigh Plumptre scored the only goal of the game as England U16s opened their Nordic Tournament campaign with a 1-0 win over Holland.
Marieanne Spacey’s side survived a scare in the first half after the Dutch hit the crossbar with an effort from range.
But the Young Lions improved dramatically after the break with Chelsea defender Alessia Russo and Liverpool forward Kess Elmore, whose goal won The FA Girls’ Youth Cup Final last month, coming close before Plumptre hit the post with an effort of her own.
The winger went one better just moments later, however, rifling a shot into the top corner, following a strong run down the right from Russo, to give her side victory.
England’s second Nordic game is against Iceland on Saturday followed by a final group game against host nation Sweden on Monday.
England: 1 Sian Rogers (Birmingham City), 2 Alessia Russo (Chelsea), 4 Ashleigh Plumptre (Derby County), 6 Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), 7 Georgia Allen (Arsenal), 10 Kess Elmore (Liverpool), 11 Lotte Wubben Moy (Arsenal), 14 Lucy Porter (C; Aston Villa), 15 Mayumi Gillam (Liverpool), 16 Megan Finnigan (Everton), 18 Mollie Rouse (Aston Villa)
Substitutes: 9 Jessica Jones (Devon FA) for Rouse 46, 8 Georgia Stanway (Blackburn Rovers) for Kelly 64, 17 Megan Tinsley (Derby County) for Plumptre 78
Substitutes not used: 13 Sandy MacIver (Everton), 3 Anna Patten (Arsenal), 5 Charlotte Devlin (Arsenal), 12 Lucy Parker (Arsenal).
Goals: Plumptre (62)
Head Coach: Marieanne Spacey
