England WU17s suffer defeat against Russia

Iana Svistunova came off the bench to score twice for Russia under-17s as they beat England WU17s 2-0 this afternoon.

Lydia Bedford’s WU17s play three UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship qualifying matches in Poland in the space of a week.

First up was Russia in this qualifying round League A Group 5 clash at Stadion Miejski in Inowroclaw.

Nothing could separate the teams in the opening 70 minutes but 15-year-old Svistunova’s introduction at half-time proved key.

After giving her side the lead with 20 minutes remaining courtesy of an assist from Kira Petukhova, the midfielder then doubled her side’s advantage five minutes later from the penalty spot, after goalkeeper Hannah Poulter had brought down Petukhova.

Bedford’s side will be looking to bounce back on Thursday when they head to the Bydgoszcz Stadium to face Belgium (kick-off 2.30pm BST/3.30pm local) before taking on the hosts Poland at the same venue on Sunday at 10am BST (11am local time).

England: 13 Hannah Poulter (Reading), 3 Keira Barry (Manchester United), 4 Aimee Claypole (Chelsea), 7 Maddy Earl (Arsenal), 8 Grace Ede (Sunderland & Gateshead College), 9 Mia Enderby (Sheffield United), 10 Keira Flannery (Arsenal) ©, 15 Daisy Burt (Sunderland & Gateshead College), 16 Isabel Milne (Chelsea), 19 Jessica Simpson (Manchester United), 20 Mackenzie Smith (Leicester City)

Substitutes: 12 Shauna Guyatt (Chelsea) for Ede 46, 17 Evie Rabjohn (Aston Villa) for 16 Milne, 11 Freya Godfrey (Arsenal) for Burt 62, 14 Ginny Lackey (Manchester City) for Earl 71

Substitutes not used: 1 Grace Pilling (Manchester City), 2 Ella Wilson (Sunderland & Gateshead College), 5 Jemima Dahou (Manchester City), 6 Ruby Doe (Arsenal), 18 Katie Ramsden (Leeds United)

Head coach: Lydia Bedford

Goals: Iana Svistunova 70, 75 (P)