Report: England WU19s 1-0 Czechia

England WU19s made it three wins from three in round one of qualifying for next summer’s UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship with a 1-0 victory over Czechia.

With the top three teams in each League A group progressing to round two of qualifying, the Young Lionesses had already ensured their progression on Friday when they beat hosts Wales 6-1 following their opening 2-0 win over Greece.

And Amy Merricks’ side continued their 100 per cent record in qualifying thanks to Maddy Earl’s second-half goal against Czechia at the Cardiff International Sports Campus.

Czechia, who went into the game level on points with England, had the first real chance of note after just five minutes when Lucie Bendová intercepted Evie Rabjohn’s pass and the captain’s long-range effort was saved by Eve Annets.

It was a bright start and soon after Georgia Mullett forced a good save, before Rabjohn had a header stopped by Vanesa Jílková later in the half.

Both teams had chances to score in the opening period, as Kateřina Vithová had a shot from an indirect free-kick deflected over and both Freya Godfrey and Mullett saw shots blocked before the ball was scrambled clear.

Lucy Newell also had a shot deflected onto the bar and Earl had a couple of efforts saved but the sides headed into the interval level.

The breakthrough came six minutes into the second half as Godfrey had a shot saved by the goalkeeper and Earl brought the ball down and applied the finish.

England created the better chances in the second period and Mullett almost added a second goal when she struck the near post.

The Young Lionesses had to finish the game with ten players after Mia Enderby was forced off injured, but Merricks’ side managed to hold on for the win.

England: 13 Eve Annets (Reading), 2 Ria Bose (Chelsea), 4 Ashanti Akpan (Chelsea) ©, 5 Evie Rabjohn (Manchester United), 6 Lucy Newell (Manchester United, dual registered with West Bromwich Albion), 7 Freya Godfrey (Arsenal, loan to Charlton Athletic), 9 Georgia Mullett (Aston Villa), 10 Maddy Earl (Arsenal), 11 Ava Baker (Leicester City), 15 Alexia Potter (Chelsea, dual registered with Crystal Palace), 19 Mari Ward (Bristol City)

Substitutes: 17 Mia Enderby (Liverpool) for Baker 58, 3 Cerys Brown (Chelsea) for Ward 72, 14 Poppy Pritchard (Durham) for Godfrey 72, 16 Jemima Dahou (Manchester City, dual registered with Blackburn Rovers) for Earl 87

Substitutes not used: 1 Katie Cox (Chelsea), 8 Shauna Guyatt (Crystal Palace), 12 Lois Marley-Paraskevas (Manchester City, dual registered with Burnley), 18 Katy Watson (Sunderland), 20 Katie Reid (Arsenal, dual registered with Watford)

Head coach: Amy Merricks

Goal: Maddy Earl 51

Bookings: Freya Godfrey 26, Ria Bose 71