Thursday 2nd March
LA MANGA U-23 TOURNAMENT
USA 2-0 Japan
Sweden 1-3 England
Lawley (pictured), who joined Manchester City in December, struck twice in the opening half an hour with England in total control.
The outcome was made certain with Everton defender Gabby George on target, before Sweden’s late consolation through substitute Anna Anvegard.
Beth England twice went close for England before they opened the scoring midway through the first half when Lawley bundled in from close range. Claudia Walker slid in to meet Jess Carter’s low left-wing cross. Walker’s effort was blocked by Emma Holmgren, but as the Sweden keeper leapt to her feet to gather the loose ball, she fumbled and Lawley pounced to open the scoring.
Five minutes later the Lionesses had a second and again it was Lawley in the right place at the right time. Sweden failed to clear Mollie Bartrip’s corner and Lawley showed poacher’s instincts to stab home the loose ball from inside the six-yard box.
With 14 minutes remaining England got a third through George, controlling Jodie Brett’s right-wing cross before firing in at the near post.
England, being led by Joel Roberts with Marieanne Spacey at the SheBelieves Cup, are back in action on Saturday against USA.
Laura Harvey’s USA U-23 side yesterday beat Japan 2-0. Savannah McCaskill scored on 18 minutes and Margaret Purce doubled the lead with 14 minutes left, despite Japan having a greater number of shots at goal.
England U-23s: 1 Sophie Baggaley (Birmingham City), 2 Hannah Blundell (Chelsea), 3 Jess Carter (Birmingham City), 4 Aoife Mannion (Birmingham City), 5 Gabby George (Everton), 6 Mollie Bartrip (Reading), 8 Jade Bailey (Chelsea), 10 Beth England (Chelsea), 12 Leah Williamson (Arsenal), 19 Mel Lawley (Manchester City), 20 Claudia Walker (Everton).
Substitutes: 13 Megan Walsh (Notts County), 9 Freda Ayisi (Birmingham City), 14 Abbey-Leigh Stringer (Birmingham City), 15 Keira Walsh (Manchester City), 16 Jodie Brett (Bristol City), 17 Sarah Mayling (Birmingham City), 18 Jenna Legg (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Sweden U-23s: 1 Emma Holmgren, 3 Emma Pennsater, 4 Ellen Lofkvist, 5 Lotta Okvist, 7 Anna Oscarsson, 8 Michelle De Jong, 9 Rebecka Blonqvist, 13 Maja Gothberg, 15 Irma Helin, 17 Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, 19 Emma Jansson
Substitutes: 12 Britta Elsert Gynning, 2 Alice Nilsson, 6 Philippa Angeldal, 10 Anna Anvegard, 11 Tove Almqvist, 14 Elin Bragnum, 16 Madelen Janogy, 18 Fanny Andersson, 20 Emelie Andersson
Source / photo – TheFA.com
