Report: Northern Ireland 0-2 England WU17s

England women’s under-17s began their UEFA U17 EURO campaign with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland, after a goal in each half from Phoebe De Bohan set them on their way in the group stage.

The Young Lionesses faced the tournament’s host nation in front of a packed Inver Park crowd, with all eyes on the opening game.

And Kerri Welsh’s team rose to the occasion too, with Cairo Antoine rattling the bar in just the tenth minute of the game to outline England’s attacking intent.

The woodwork came to Northern Ireland’s rescue again in the 20th minute, with Bryony Brodie hitting the left-hand post after great link-up play between Antoine, Freya Hirons and Brodie.

England then had the ball in the net via Hirons only for her effort to be ruled out for offside, but the Young Lionesses didn’t have to wait much longer for the goal their play had deserved.

The goal came after Hirons won the ball back and found Antoine down the right. She swung it into the box for De Bohan to finish off in the 29th minute.

Into the second half and England had more opportunities, with Mia Dixon heading just over the bar in the 51st minute before Lucy Robinson did similar following a corner two minutes later.

De Bohan almost found her second goal in the 56th minute when Maise Brickell charged forward to cross for the Arsenal striker who got on the end of it but headed over.

Northern Ireland also had their moments in the game, but England managed to avert any real threat while ‘keeper Vicky Rudz was comfortable with what came her way.

But with just a single-goal lead, England understandably wanted a second to secure the win and it arrived eight minutes from time.

The goal came after a clinical pass forward from Sophia Burton set substitute Chelsea N'Drin clear and when her cross picked out De Bohan, the Arsenal striker finished at the second attempt from close range to seal the victory.

England will now play Germany in their second group game on Thursday 7 May (3pm BST).

England: 13 Vicky Rudz (Chelsea), 3 Katie Scott © (Aston Villa), 5 Lucy Robinson (Manchester United), 7 Cairo Antoine (Arsenal), 8 Bryony Brodie (Arsenal), 9 Freya Hirons (Manchester City), 10 Kyri Teer-Hutchins (Arsenal), 12 Maisie Brickell (Chelsea), 14 Gabby Storey (Chelsea), 15 Bella Cowley (Arsenal), 18 Phoebe De Bohan (Arsenal)

Substitutes: 11 Mia Dixon (Arsenal) for Brodie 46, 17 Sophia Burton (Manchester United) for Teer-Hutchins 46, 2 Zoe Ciccardini (Chelsea) for Scott 46, 19 Chelsea N’Drin (Liverpool) for Hirons 64, 20 Abbie Jones (Sheffield United) for De Bohan 87

Substitutes not used: 1 Evie Mitchell (Manchester United), 4 Romia Gagliano (FC Basel), 16 Lottie Day (Sheffield United)

Head coach: Kerri Welsh

Goals: Phoebe De Bohan 29, 82