Lackey's goal gives WU17s victory over Belgium

England women’s under-17s secured a first victory of their UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Belgium.

Ginny Lackey’s superb goal just before the half-hour mark at Bydgoszcz Stadium in Poland means Lydia Bedford’s side are now just one point behind Russia and Poland in the League A – Group 5 qualifying group after two games.

This was the WU17s’ second of three qualifying matches in Poland in the space of a week, having started their trip on Monday with a 2-0 defeat to Russia, who drew 0-0 with the hosts this afternoon.

England started strongly against Belgium, as Kiera Flannery, Lackey and Keira Barry all forced Belgium goalkeeper Lise Musique into saves inside the opening quarter.

Manchester City goalkeeper Grace Pilling was called into action in the 27th minute by Saar Janssen but just moments later England’s pressure finally paid off when Lackey scored a stunning first-time curled goal from 20 yards out, after being set up by Flannery.

Belgium improved after the goal and Pilling was forced into saves by Margaux Martle and Zarah Taillieu before the break.

The goalmouth action did not slow down in the second half as both teams continued to test the opposition goalkeeper.

Belgium’s Thirsa De Meester hit the woodwork just after the hour mark, as did England substitute Mia Enderby six minutes later.

The Young Lionesses had 21 attempts at goal during the match, compared to their opponent’s 12, but Belgium almost snatched a draw with just three minutes of normal time remaining when Taillieu struck the woodwork.

But Bedford’s side secured the win and will now finish their trip to Poland with a game against the hosts at the same venue on Sunday at 10am BST (11am local time).

England: 1 Grace Pilling (Manchester City), 3 Keira Barry (Manchester United), 5 Jemima Dahou (Manchester City), 10 Keira Flannery (Arsenal), 11 Freya Godfrey (Arsenal), 12 Shauna Guyatt (Chelsea), 14 Ginny Lackey (Manchester City), 17 Evie Rabjohn (Aston Villa) ©, 18 Katie Ramsden (Leeds United), 19 Jessica Simpson (Manchester United), 20 Mackenzie Smith (Leicester City)

Substitutes: 7 Maddy Earl (Arsenal) for Guyatt 64, 9 Mia Enderby (Sheffield United) for Godfrey 64, 16 Isabel Milne (Chelsea) for Dahou 74, 15 Daisy Burt (Sunderland & Gateshead College) for Lackey 74, 2 Ella Wilson (Sunderland & Gateshead College) for Barry 81

Substitutes not used: 4 Aimee Claypole (Chelsea), 6 Ruby Doe (Arsenal), 8 Grace Ede (Sunderland & Gateshead College), 13 Hannah Poulter (Reading)

Head coach: Lydia Bedford

Goal: Ginny Lackey 29