England Women’s U21s finished third in the annual Nordic Tournament after beating Norway 4-1 in their final match.
Rehanne Skinner’s side had suffered defeat by Sweden and USA in their opening two matches of the annual competition, but ended the campaign on a positive note.
Wednesday 28 August
England 0-5 Sweden
Gabby George was sent off early in the second half as England lost their tournament opener at Loughborough University.
The Young Lionesses started brightly, with Niamh Charles seeing a goal chalked off for offside. Connie Scofield then headed over before Lauren Hemp and Hannah Cain both had shots saved by the keeper.
The Scandinavians’ first real effort of note crashed off the crossbar and the sides went in level at the break.
Everton defender George was dismissed just before the hour mark and it proved to be the turning point, with Sweden taking full advantage through goals by Angeldal, Kullashi (2), Hed and Almqvist.
England: 1 Sophie Baggaley (Bristol City), 2 Esme Morgan (Everton – on loan from Manchester City), 3 Mayumi Pacheco (Reading), 4 Connie Scofield (Birmingham City), 5 Gabrielle George (Everton), 6 Megan Finnigan (capt; Everton), 10 Ella Toone (Manchester United), 11 Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), 14 Niamh Charles (Liverpool), 16 Hannah Cain (Everton), 18 Ebony Salmon (Bristol City).
Substitutes: 12 Georgia Allen (Syracuse University) for Salmon 65, 8 Aimee Palmer (Sheffield United – on loan from Manchester United) for Cain 75.
Substitutes not used: 13 Hannah Hampton (Birmingham City), 7 Alessia Russo (University of North Carolina), 9 Ellie Brazil (Brighton & Hove Albion), 15 Georgia Eaton-Collins (University of Florida), 17 Lotte Wubben-Moy (University of North Carolina), 19 Emily Syme (Aston Villa), 20 Ellie Fletcher (Sheffield United – on loan from Liverpool).
Red card: Gabrielle George
Friday 30 August
England 0-1 USA
Skinner made three changes to the starting 11 with Aimee Palmer, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Emily Syme all coming in.
In a closely-fought contest with clear chances at a premium for both sides, the visitors won it with a 35th-minute strike by Dorsey.
England: 1 Sophie Baggaley (Bristol City), 2 Esme Morgan (Everton – on loan from Manchester City), 3 Mayumi Pacheco (Reading), 4 Connie Scofield (Birmingham City), 6 Megan Finnigan (capt; Everton), 8 Aimee Palmer (Sheffield United – on loan from Manchester United), 11 Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), 14 Niamh Charles (Liverpool), 16 Hannah Cain (Everton), 17 Lotte Wubben-Moy (University of North Carolina), 18 Ebony Salmon (Bristol City), 19 Emily Syme (Aston Villa).
Substitutes: 13 Hannah Hampton (Birmingham City) for Baggaley 46, 12 Georgia Allen (Syracuse University) for Scofield 46, 10 Ella Toone (Manchester United) for Salmon 59, 20 Ellie Fletcher (Sheffield United – on loan from Liverpool) for Finnigan 69.
Substitutes not used: 7 Alessia Russo (University of North Carolina), 15 Georgia Eaton-Collins (University of Florida).
Monday 2 September
England 4-1 Norway
Goals by Cain, Megan Finnigan, Ella Toone and an Ebony Salmon penalty helped the Young Lionesses end their Nordic Tournament campaign on a high.
Everton forward Cain put her side ahead just before the quarter-hour mark and Finnigan, the captain, doubled the advantage just before half time.
Sheffield United loanee Palmer kept her cool from the penalty spot to make it 3-0 and Manchester United livewire Toone rounded off proceedings with a late fourth.
England: 1 Sophie Baggaley (Bristol City), 2 Esme Morgan (Everton – on loan from Manchester City), 3 Mayumi Pacheco (Reading), 5 Gabrielle George (Everton), 6 Megan Finnigan (capt; Everton), 8 Aimee Palmer (Sheffield United – on loan from Manchester United), 10 Ella Toone (Manchester United), 11 Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), 14 Niamh Charles (Liverpool), 16 Hannah Cain (Everton), 19 Emily Syme (Aston Villa).
Substitutes: 12 Georgia Allen (Syracuse University) for Charles 30, 13 Hannah Hampton (Birmingham City) for Baggaley 46, 20 Ellie Fletcher (Sheffield United – on loan from Liverpool) for Morgan 46, 7 Alessia Russo (University of North Carolina) for Cain 46, 17 Lotte Wubben-Moy (University of North Carolina) for Syme 46, 15 Georgia Eaton-Collins (University of Florida) for George 75, 4 Connie Scofield (Birmingham City) for Palmer 75
Substitutes not used: 8 Ebony Salmon (Bristol City).
Goals: Cain 14, Finnigan 38, Palmer (pen) 63, Toone 77
