England Women’s Under-19s lost 2-0 to France at St. George’s Park in their final match of the season.
Head coach Mo Marley arranged the fixture with a view to the 2016-17 campaign as 11 of her squad can feature in England’s Euro qualifiers next spring.
But the Young Lionesses were beaten by a talented France side, who will travel to Slovakia next month for this season’s Euro finals.
England 0-2 France
A Women's U19s international
Thursday 2 June 2016
St. George's Park
Les Bleues broke the deadlock just before the quarter-hour mark when the pacy Emelyne Laurent broke away down the inside right channel and into the box before confidently striking a low, angled shot into the far corner.
England keeper Sian Rogers excelled herself when keeping out Lisa Fragoli’s audacious 30-yarder before Liverpool youngster Mollie Green fired over the bar after some great work by right-back Danielle Brown.
But Gilles Eyquem's side sealed the win early in the second half when substitute Clara Mateo turned home Fragoli’s cross from the left.
Marley said: “We had a number of U18s in our side so it was certainly good experience for them, especially against such quality opponents.
“We found it tough today in an intense game against a French team that are technically very good.
“But the girls stuck with the game plan and they can take a lot from another difficult match.”
England (4-2-3-1): 1 Sian Rogers (Arsenal); 3 Danielle Brown (Sunderland), 6 Chiara Ritchie-Williams (Arsenal), 5 Gabrielle George (capt; Everton), 2 Mayumi Pacheco (Liverpool); 8 Chloe Peplow (Birmingham City), 10 Megan Finnigan (Everton); 7 Emma Kelly (Sunderland), 4 Sophie Stamp (Hull City), 9 Sarah Mayling (Aston Villa); 11 Mollie Green (Liverpool).
Substitutes: 13 Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City) for Rogers 53, 18 Paula Howells (London Bees) for Kelly 53, 14 Georgia Allen (Arsenal) for Ritchie-Williams 53, 12 Eloise Wilson (Bristol City) for Brown 61, 15 Rinsola Babajide (Millwall Lionesses) for Green 83, 19 Lucy Loomes (Millwall Lionesses) for Peplow 83.
Substitutes not used: 16 Mollie Rouse (Aston Villa), 17 Zoe Cross (Chelsea).
Head coach: Mo Marley
Referee: Helen Byrne
