Georgia Allen’s double ensured England U19s began their UEFA European Women's U19 Championship campaign with a 2-1 victory over Italy at Mourneview Park.
Allen netted twice in the second half in an impressive team display, with Annamaria Serturini scoring a consolation late on to reduce the arrears.
In what was an open first 45 minutes, albeit with few clear-cut chances, both Maz Pachecho and Ellie Brazil tested Azzurri stopper Alessia Piazza with crosses into the box while England also forced a number of corners.
The Italians were restricted to long distance attempts, with most notably Benedetta Gilonna’s audacious turn and strike from distance failing to trouble goalkeeper Sandy MacIver.
England began to exert their dominance with the ball, dictating possession and carving some strong passing moves. Full-backs Pachecho and Anna Patten switched flanks at various stages throughout the 90 minutes to great effect.
Mo Marley’s outfit almost found an opener soon after, a neat move involving Mollie Rouse, Rinsola Babajide and Birmingham City forward Brazil ended with the latter adjudged as offside.
Forward Babjide, who drew applause from the travelling faithful for her work-rate and tracking back throughout, saw her close-range attempt blocked before Rouse’s long-range effort drifted wide of the far post.
Allen’s looping header was then saved while a vital last-ditch intervention from Patten prevented Gloria Marinelli from pulling the trigger.
Marley’s troops were quick out of the traps at the start of the second half. Allen was once again in the thick of the action – her turn and shot edging wide after a fine team move.
The former Arsenal youngster was not to be denied for long though and scored her side’s opening goal of the competition, a rebound after Brazil’s initial effort was saved.
England continued to attack and came close to doubling their lead – forwards Brazil and Babajide combining well before Chloe Peplow’s rasping drive flew wide of the target.
Chasing a leveller, Enrico Sbardella’s side increased the pressure and neat footwork from Giada Greggi forced MacIver into a necessary intervention.
But Allen made the game safe with 15 minutes remaining, as her fine low finish from Brazil’s pass capped off a lightning-quick counter attack.
And Chloe Kelly could have added further gloss to the scoreline but was denied by Piazza before striking wide.
Substitute Serturini’s curler halved the deficit in stoppage time. England will now prepare for their next group fixture on Friday – a meeting with the Netherlands at Windsor Park.
England: 1 Sandy MacIver (Clemson University), 2 Anna Patten (Florida State University), 3 Mayumi Pacheco (Doncaster Rovers Belles), 4 Mollie Rouse (University of Louisville), 5 Grace Fisk (C) (University of South Carolina), 6 Megan Finnigan (Everton), 7 Chloe Kelly (Arsenal, on loan at Everton), 8 Georgia Allen (Syracuse University), 9 Ellie Brazil (Birmingham City), 11 Rinsola Babajide (Watford), 18 Chloe Peplow (Birmingham City)
Substitutes: 16 Alessia Russo (University of North Carolina) for 11 Babajide, 65, 14 Taylor Hinds (Arsenal) for Fisk, 83, 17 Niamh Charles (Liverpool) for Brazil, 90.
Substitutes not used: 13 Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), 10 Zoe Cross (University of Missouri), 15 Lotte Wubben-Moy (University of North Carolina.)
Goals: Georgia Allen (51 and 76), Annamaria Serturini (90)
Coach: Mo Marley
