England Women’s Under-19s earned a creditable 0-0 draw with three-time European champions France in the first of two matches they will play against Les Bleuettes this week.
Mo Marley’s side even went one better and edged their hosts 3-2 on penalties, both sides having agreed to a penalty shootout before the game in case of a draw.
Goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley was the hero, saving three spot-kicks, while Katie Zelem, Molly Bartrip and Jodie Brett all converted for England.
Marley is using this double-header as preparation for the Euro Finals which are being staged in Israel in July where England have been drawn alongside Germany, Spain and Norway.
England: 1 Sophie Baggaley, 2 Gabrielle George, 3 Eloise Wilson, 4 Katie Zelem, 5 Molly Bartrip, 6 Ellie Stewart, 7 Carla Humphrey, 8 Jodie Brett, 9 Millie Turner, 10 Mollie Green, 11 Rosella Ayane.
Substitutes: 16 Ashlee Brown for George ht, 12 Georgia Brougham for Wilson 74, 14 Sophie Stamp for Ayane 74, 20 Jess Davenport for Green, 74, 15 Maisie Baker for Stewart, 79.
Substitutes not used: 13 Demi Lambourne, 17 Taomë Oliver, 18 Atlanta Primus, 19 Tyler Dodds
FRANCE : 1-Cindy Perrault ; 15-Ophélie Wasner , 14-Julie Marichaud, 12-Noémie Carage, 17-Estelle Cascarino ; 7-Delphine Cascarino , 6-Laura Condon , 8-Juliane Gathrat , 11-Sakina Karchaoui ; 10-Maëlle Garbino , 9-Marie-Charlotte Léger (cap.) .
Substitutes: 4-Hawa Cissoko for Wasner 55, 20-Anissa Lahmari for Cascarino 62, 24-Onema Grace Geyoro for Condon 46, 18-Clara Matéo for Garbino 62, 19-Elise Legrout for Gathrat 46, 22-Anaïs Pugnetti for Karchaoui 46, 23-Audrey Chaumette for Léger 82
Substitutes not used: 16-Manon Heil, 3-Théa Greboval, 5-Pauline Dhaeyer
Referee: Elodie Coppola
