France 1-1 England WU23 Match Report

Ebony Salmon made it two goals in as many games for England women’s under-23s as the Young Lionesses drew 1-1 with France in Lisieux.

This was the second game between the two sides this week, after France edged Thursday’s match 3-2 courtesy of a late penalty.

Mo Marley made five changes to her starting XI for Sunday’s game at the Stade Louis Bielman, as the likes of Aston Villa loanee Anna Patten, Liverpool full-back Taylor Hinds and Manchester City’s dangerous winger Jess Park came into the side.

But it was France’s Naomie Feller who scored the game’s first goal for the second time in four days when a wind-assisted ball over the top and her pace meant she was left with a clear shot on goal midway through the first half.

And once again it was England captain Salmon who made it 1-1 just two minutes later. This time the Racing Louisville striker collected the ball just outside the penalty area and after working her way into the box, scored the equaliser.

The sides went into the break level and on the hour Marley made a double change, as the experienced coach brought on Charlton Athletic’s Katie Robinson and Ruby Grant of the University of North Carolina in place of Salmon and Missy Bo Kearns.

Leicester City’s Shannon O’Brien and Everton’s Poppy Pattinson were also introduced in the final 20 minutes but England were unable to find the winning goal and had to settle for the draw.

England: 22 Emily Ramsey (Birmingham City, on loan from Manchester United); 2 Maya Le Tissier (Brighton & Hove Albion), 4 Melisa Filis (West Ham United), 5 Grace Fisk (West Ham United), 7 Emma Harries (Reading), 9 Ebony Salmon (Racing Louisville) ©, 10 Missy Bo Kearns (Liverpool), 12 Taylor Hinds (Liverpool), 15 Anna Patten (Aston Villa, on loan from Arsenal), 17 Jessica Park (Manchester City), 18 Molly Pike (Leicester City)

Substitutes: 11 Katie Robinson (Charlton Athletic, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion) for Salmon 60’, 8 Ruby Grant (University of North Carolina) for Kearns 60’, 14 Shannon O’Brien (Leicester City) for Harries 71’, 19 Poppy Pattinson (Everton) for Park 75’

Substitutes not used: 1 Sandy MacIver (Everton), 3 Mayumi Pacheco (Aston Villa), 21 Asmita Ale (Tottenham Hotspur)

Head coach: Mo Marley

Goal: Ebony Salmon 24’