Report: England WU17s 0-2 Poland

England women’s under-17s missed out on a chance to qualify for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup with a 1-0 defeat to Poland.

It marked England’s final game at the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship, taking place at Inver Park in Larne.

The Young Lionesses were unable to progress in the tournament after drawing 1-1 with Norway, who secured second spot on goals scored, in their final group stage game last week.

However, they had the chance to book their place at the World Cup with a win against Poland.

Both teams placed third in their respective groups – England in Group A and Poland in Group B.

During the opening exchanges, Sophia Burton looked to play in Mia Dixon down the left channel, but the latter’s tame shot was easily dealt with by Poland stopper Hanna Buchta.

Later in the half, Lucy Robinson made a block from Zofia Burzan and Poland’s top scorer in the competition then attempted to test England’s Evie Mitchell but her effort was straight at the keeper.

It was England’s opponents that broke the deadlock around five minutes out from the interval. Burzan won back possession before slotting home with 41 minutes played.

Ten minutes into the second half, Burzan added to her tournament tally as she scored a second, racing into the box before picking her spot.

England substitute Zoe Ciccardini – introduced off the bench at the break – delivered a dangerous looking cross into the box from the right which was turned behind as the Young Lionesses looked to respond.

Kerri Welsh’s side moved the ball around well in spells as Kyri Teer-Hutchins’ cross was met by captain Katie Scott who couldn’t direct her header on target.

With time ticking, Marta Kwiatkowska took aim, but the shot lacked conviction and Mitchell gathered.

Three minutes into the six added on at the end of the game, the Young Lionesses won a corner. Lucy Robinson leapt highest at the back post as her headed effort collided with the post but England were beaten in their World Cup play-off.

England: 1 Evie Mitchell (Manchester United), 3 Katie Scott (Aston Villa), 4 Romia Gagliano (FC Basel), 5 Lucy Robinson (Manchester United), 6 Amarachukwu Nwankwo (Manchester City),10 Kyri Teer-Hutchins (Arsenal), 11 Mia Dixon (Arsenal), 12 Maisie Brickell (Chelsea), 17 Sophia Burton (Manchester City), 18 Phoebe De Bohan (Arsenal), 19 Chelsea N’Drin (Liverpool)

Substitutes: 8 Bryony Brodie (Arsenal) for Burton 46’, 2 Zoe Ciccardini (Chelsea) for De Bohan 46’, 9 Freya Hirons (Manchester City) for Brickell 66’, 7 Cairo Antoine (Arsenal) for Teer-Hutchins 78’, 20 Abbie Jones (Sheffield United) for N’Drin 91’

Substitutes not used: 13 Victoria Rudz (Chelsea), 14 Gabby Storey (Chelsea), 15 Isabella Cowley (Arsenal),16 Lottie Day (Sheffield United)

Head coach: Kerri Welsh