Report: Slovenia 1-1 England WU19s

England women’s under-19s scored a dramatic last-gasp equaliser to kick off the second round of EURO qualifying with a 1-1 draw with Slovenia.

The Young Lionesses had beaten Slovenia 5-0 in the first round of qualifying in October and they dominated the first half once again at Colovray Sports Centre in Nyon, with Emma Coates’ side enjoying 11 attempts at goal to their opponent’s one.

Lucia Kendall and Elysia Boddy also had shots saved before the hour was up but despite having 21 shots to Slovenia’s four during the match, it looked as though England were heading for a 0-0 draw.

But with 13 minutes remaining, Hannah Silcock was penalised for a foul and Slovenia midfielder Korina Lara Janez converted the spot kick which looked set to secure victory.

Boddy and Kendall both had chances in the final ten minutes but it was to no avail as the Young Lionesses entered injury time behind.

But in the third minute of injury time, Sunderland's Katie Watson snatched an equaliser and England almost went on to win the match, with Evie Rabjohn sending a shot wide and both Silcock and Olivia McLoughlin having efforts blocked.

Next up for the WU19s are Belarus on Saturday 8 April (10am BST) before Group A4 concludes on Tuesday 11 April against Spain (1.15pm BST).

Only the top team in each qualifying group will reach the eight-team Women’s Under-19 Championship finals in Belgium, with the tournament taking place between 18-30 July. 

England: 1 Khiara Keating (Coventry United, on loan from Manchester City), 2 Lucy Parry (Hibernian, on loan from Liverpool) (c), 3 Mackenzie Smith (Nottingham Forest, dual registered with Leicester City), 5 Naomi Layzell (Bristol City), 6 Hannah Silcock (Liverpool), 7 Mia Enderby (Sheffield United), 8 Lucia Kendall (Southampton), 9 Elysia Boddy (Bristol City), 10 Olivia McLoughlin (Birmingham City, on loan from Aston Villa), 11 Freya Godfrey (Ipswich Town, dual registered with Arsenal), 15 Emily Brough (Clemson University)

Substitutes: 14 Evie Rabjohn (Aston Villa) for Smith 46, 12 Katie Dungate (Chelsea) for Enderby 58, 17 Alex Hennessy (Charlton Athletic) for Brough 66, 18 Katy Watson (Sunderland) for Godfrey 73

Substitutes not used: 13 Faye Kirby (Liverpool), 4 Annie Hutchings (Blackburn Rovers, dual registered with Manchester City), 19 Leyla O’Brien (MK Dons, dual registered with Arsenal), 20 Grace Gillard (Syracuse University)

Head coach: Emma Coates

Goal: Katie Watson 90+3