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England Women's U17s ease past Belgium for third straight Euro qualifying win

Sunday 27 Oct 2019
England are in the hat for the elite round draw on 21 November

England completed their UEFA Women’s U17 Championship first round qualifying campaign with a 4-1 victory over Belgium.

Wins over Croatia and Bosnia had already sealed a place in the next – and final – stage of Euro qualifying for Lydia Bedford’s side.

And another three points on Sunday afternoon ensured they progressed with a 100 per cent record.

Belgium 1-4 England
  • UEFA Women's U17 Championship
  • First Qualifying Round
  • Sunday 27 October 2019
  • in Bosnia
The Young Lionesses went ahead on 10 minutes through Ruby Mace, a lead which was quickly doubled by Lucy Watson.

Luna Vanzeir reduced arrears early in the second half, but Maria Edwards, on for Freya Gregory, re-established England’s two-goal advantage.

Emily Murphy, who replaced Deearna Goodwin at half time, sealed the win with just six minutes remaining.

The elite qualifying round draw will take place on 21 November.

Sweden will host the eight-team finals next May which will act as Europe's qualifier for the 2020 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in India.

England (4-3-3): 13 Sophie Hillyerd (Bristol City); 10 Jorja Fox (Chelsea), 20 Ruby Mace (Arsenal), 18 Mia Ross (Liverpool), 9 Jessica Brown (Sunderland); 16 Maisie Symonds (Chelsea), 6 Charlotte Wardlaw (capt; Chelsea), 11 Laura Brown (Birmingham City); 19 Deearna (Missy) Goodwin (Birmingham City), 15 Lucy Watson (Doncaster Rovers Belles), 8 Freya Gregory (Birmingham City).

Substitutes: 7 Emily Murphy (Chelsea) for Symonds 46, 12 Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Chelsea) for Goodwin 46, 17 Maria Edwards (Manchester United) for Gregory 61, 5 Caitlin Smith (Chelsea) for Watson 70, 2 Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea) for Fox 87.

Substitutes not used: 1 Frances Angel (Brighton & Hove Albion), 3 Anna Phillips (Manchester City), 4 Anouk Denton (Arsenal), 14 Lucy O’Brien (MK Dons).

Goals: Mace 10, Watson 17, Edwards 69, Murphy 84

Head coach: Lydia Bedford

By Glenn Lavery