Report: England WU23s 1-2 Sweden

Written by:

Holly Hunt

The Young Lionesses slipped to defeat in Doncaster

PLAY WOMEN'S AND GIRLS' FOOTBALL

England women’s under-23s slipped to defeat in their final game of 2024 as the Young Lionesses were beaten 2-1 by Sweden at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Emma Coates’ team remain top of Group B in their WU23 European competition despite the result, while three of their four opponents – Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands – still have a game in hand.

England were forced into a change prior to kick-off which saw Elysia Boddy replaced by Sarah Brasero in the starting lineup but the Young Lionesses adapted well and it took them just three minutes to break the deadlock as Coates’ team came flying out of the blocks.

England surged forward, finding a pocket of space out on the left and after seeing an initial shot on goal blocked by the Swedish defence who failed to avert the danger, Lucia Kendall followed up to open the scoring.

Emma Coates' team huddle together prior to kick-off

The 20-year-old curled an impressive effort into the top corner from inside the box to make it 1-0 to the hosts who wasted no time in making their mark on the game in Doncaster.

Both sides enjoyed spells in possession as the first half progressed. However, the visitors were back on terms with 24 minutes on the clock through defender Sofia Reidy.

England’s Khiara Keating got down to produce a fingertip save to deny Martin Qvarmans Moller's side an equaliser, but Sweden levelled proceedings from the resulting corner kick. A scramble inside the penalty area followed the set-piece and Reidy rippled the net, meaning the two teams went into the interval with all to play for.

Around ten minutes after the restart, Sweden turned it around as Qvarmans Moller's team took the lead for the first time. With 54 minutes played, Evelina Duljan’s cross took a deflection which resulted in an unfortunate own goal by England's Neve Herron as the ball trickled over the line from close range.

Neve Herron in action for the WU23s against Sweden in Doncaster

The second half saw an extended break in play as Hannah Silcock received treatment after the England defender was involved in a collision before being stretchered off the pitch.

Spurred on by the vocal backing of 1,752 supporters in South Yorkshire, the Young Lionesses went in search of an equaliser. Deep into stoppage time, England were awarded a penalty after substitute Lenna Gunning-Williams was brought down.

Captain Katie Robinson stepped up to take the spot-kick but Sweden’s Sofia Hjern guessed correctly to make the stop as it finished 2-1 to the visitors on the night.

England: 1 Khiara Keating (Manchester City), 2 Neve Herron (Birmingham City), 3 Anouk Denton (West Ham), 4 Olivia McLoughlin (Rangers), 5 Teyah Goldie (Arsenal on loan to London City Lionesses), 6 Hannah Silcock (Liverpool), 7 Katie Robinson (Aston Villa), 8 Lucia Kendall (Southampton), 9 Mia Enderby (Liverpool), 11 Missy Goodwin (Leicester City), 20 Sara Brasero (G.D. Estoril Praia)

Substitutes: 19 Jessica Simpson (Manchester United) for Goodwin 62, 16 Freya Godfrey (Arsenal) for Herron 62, 12 Tara Bourne (Southampton) for Silcock 62, 15 Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur) for 20 Brasero 90+1, 17 Isobel Goodwin (London City Lionesses) for Enderby 90+3

Substitutes not used: 13 Fran Stenson (Southampton), 14 Ruby Grant (BK Hacken), 18 Megan Collett (Southampton), 21 Jasmine McQuade (Newcastle United), 22 Emily Orman (London City Lionesses)

Head coach: Emma Coates