England Women’s Leah Williamson struck her ever first Lionesses goal late on in a 3-2 victory away to the Czech Republic.
Andrea Staskova missed a golden chance very early on, heading over when unmarked six yards out, while Beth England had the ball in the net inside 5 minutes but she was offisde.
The hosts were ahead on 15 minutes, Thereza Szewieczková played through to finish smartly past Carly Telford but the Lionesses responded positively and moments later England hooked in the equaliser from a Nikita Parris cross.
A third goal in a five-minute spell had England in front, the very lively Beth Mead firing inside the far post and then Millie Bright almost bagged her first England goal but saw her effort drop down to hit the top of the crossbar.
It was all square again on 27 minutes, Szewieczková with a fine, dipping 22-yard strike into the roof of the net, beating the reach of the diving Telford.
Neville’s side had another goal ruled out just after the hour mark when Mead headed home but Jill Scott was adjudged to have fouled a defender in the build-up.
Bright brought a good save from Barbora Votíková with a longer ranger effort and then centre-back partner Williamson opened her Lionesses account with a deflected strike from the edge of the box, 4 minutes from full time.
It wasn’t always pretty (well the snow was) but it sees Phil Neville’s side end 2019 with a win.
Czech Republic: 1 Votíková, 3 Sonntágová, 4 Bertholdová, 8 Sedlácková, 9 Vonková, 22 Jarchovská, 10 Svitková, 12 Cahynová, 17 Szewieczková (6 Khyrova, 71 mins), 7 Martinkova, 21 Staskova (11 Dubcova, 75 mins)
Unused Subs: 15 Ringelová, 16 Ruzickova, 18 Dubcova, 19 Necidova, 20 Nepokojová, 23 Lukasova
England: 1 Telford, 2 Bronze, 5 Williamson, 6 Bright, 3 Stokes, 8 Scott, 4 Walsh, 7 Parris (18 Hemp, 64 mins), 10 Staniforth (14 Nobbs, 77 mins), 11 Mead, 9 England (12 Daly, 77 mins).
Unused Subs: 13 Earps, 15 McManus, 16 Bonner, 17 Stanway, 21 Roebuck
