Report: Kenya 0-2 England WU17s
The Young Lionesses get off to a winning start at the FIFA Women's U17 World Cup
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England made a winning start to their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup campaign in Dominican Republic, after a disciplined 2-0 victory against Kenya.
Natalie Henderson’s side were dominant for large periods of their opening Group C fixture, although they had to be patient in hot and humid conditions to secure the three points.
A first-half penalty from Lola Brown gave them a slender advantage at half-time before a late second from substitute Lauryn Thompson completed the scoring.
After a cagey opening in Santiago, England soon asserted control as Isabella Fisher went close with a volleyed effort on 18 minutes before the striker threatened with a glancing header two minutes later.
The breakthrough came as the half-hour mark approached when the hard-working Omotara Junaid’s right-wing cross was handled in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and up stepped Brown to convert with a left-footed finish that was too powerful for the keeper - despite her guessing the right way.
Minutes later, Henderson then used one of her two VAR appeals – an option open to both teams as part of a FIFA trial for this competition – to question if there should have been a red card for Rebecca Odato. The Kenya midfielder had appeared to go in heavily on Junaid, but the referee stuck with her on-field decision of just a caution.
England kept probing with Vera Jones setting Junaid clear only for her shot to be saved. Jones then released Nelly Lass on an incisive run but she was denied by Kenya keeper Velma Abwire.

There was still time – with seven added minutes at the end of the half - for three more notable chances including a Laila Harbert effort that nearly eluded Abwire’s grasp on the line.
Kenya, making their country’s first World Cup appearance at any level, came out with renewed intent in the second half but could not capitalise on a couple of potentially promising moments of their own.
Henderson made a double change on the hour and the Young Lionesses thought they might have had a second in the 65th minute when Jones teed up captain Harbert for a shot that just cleared the bar.
Five minutes later, Valerie Nekesa went close for Kenya with an effort that hit the side-netting before the African side used a VAR appeal of their own to suggest Cecily Wellesley-Smith, resolute in defence along with Niamh Peacock, had fouled the attacker. The referee waved away the claim.
More changes came on 84 minutes and substitute Thompson was to make an instant impact when she seized on a loose ball in midfield, surged forward and then smashed into the net via the post.
It was no more than England deserved, after a performance that saw them rack up 580 passes and have 17 shots on goal. Although Kenya were undoubtedly a tougher proposition in the second half, the Young Lionesses are up and running.
England will now face Mexico on Sunday, with the north American team having lost 4-1 to Korea DPR in their opening fixture.

Substitutes: 12 Sophie Harwood (Arsenal) for Maltby 62, 20 Jane Oboavwoduo (Manchester City) for Fisher 62, 17 Lauryn Thompson (Indy Eleven) for Brown 82, 14 Emily Cassap (Sunderland) for Junaid 82, 5 Zara Shaw (Liverpool) for Harbert 90
Substitutes not used: 13 Rebekah Dowsett (Leicester City), 21 Eva Spencer (Liverpool), 19 Eva Gray (Arsenal), 16 Simone Sherwood (Leicester City),
Head coach: Natalie Henderson
Goals: Lola Brown (p) 29, Lauryn Thompson 87