England Women’s U-23s were 1-0 winners away to France on Thursday afternoon, thanks to a first-half strike from Katie Robinson.
Great work from in-form Chelsea striker Aggie Beever-Jones created the opening which would ultimately decide the contest at Clairefontaine as England scored inside the opening ten minutes.
Jess Park dragged an effort wide just before England took the lead inside ten minutes, Aggie Beever-Jones intercepting a backpass before setting up Robinson to net from close range.
Emily Ramsey, who had already saved a Kessya Bussy shot from distance, produced a superb stop midway through the half when she pawed away Bussy’s header from point-blank range.
Ebony Salmon was tackled just as she was about to fire at goal, while Naomi Layzell did well to end the run of France captain Laurina Fazer.
France’s Lou-Ann Joly and Beever-Jones both had shots saved in the opening 20 minutes of the second period, the same two players both shooting over the bar later on.
Ramsey tipped away a late Zoe Stievenart shot and then in stoppage-time, Ella Morris and Kiera Skeels combined to deny the hosts an equaliser.
Next up for England U-23s is Monday’s home match against Spain at Burton Albion (7pm), with tickets still on sale priced at just £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.
