England Women’s Under-23s began their Nordic Tournament campaign with a 1-1 draw with Norway at St. George’s Park.
The Young Lionesses got off to a flying start when Chelsea midfielder Beth England fired them into a sixth-minute lead.
An own goal by Birmingham defender Aoife Mannion handed the Scandinavians a share of the spoils – but England ran out 3-1 winners on penalties which gave them an extra point.
England U23s 1-1 Norway
The Nordic Tournament
Thursday 2 June 2016
St. George's Park
USA defeated Sweden 3-1 in the day’s other match, with Savannah Jordan scoring two of the States’ goals.
England’s second match is against Sweden on Saturday 4 June, followed by USA on Tuesday 7 June, both at St. George’s Park.
England: 1 Lizzie Durack (Harvard University), 2 Hannah Blundell (Chelsea), 3 Paige Williams (Brescia), 4 Millie Bright (capt; Chelsea), 5 Abbie McManus (Manchester City), 6 Aoife Mannion (Birmingham City), 7 Rosella Ayane (Bristol City – on loan from Chelsea), 8 Jade Bailey (Chelsea), 9 Claudia Walker (Everton), 10 Beth England (Chelsea), 11 Melissa Lawley (Birmingham City).
Substitutes: 18 Jodie Brett (Bristol City – on loan from Chelsea) for Bailey 79, 19 Millie Farrow (Bristol City – on loan from Chelsea) for Walker 79, 17 Carla Humphrey (Doncaster Rovers Belles – on loan from Arsenal) for Ayane 84.
Substitutes not used: 13 Sophie Baggaley (Birmingham City), 14 Millie Turner (Everton), 15 Molly Bartrip (Reading), 16 Jess Carter (Birmingham City).
Goal: England 6
