England U23 2-0 Portugal U23
Impetus had Aimee Reynolds in the press box and Lucy Atherton pitch side on photography duty to provide the best possible coverage from the Manchester City Academy Stadium last night (31/10/23).
Above: England’s Ruby Mace looks to challenge her Portuguese opponent Ana Teles (20). Photo: Lucy Atherton for Impetus.
Jess Naz’s goal early in the second half set England on the way to an important win over Portugal last night in Manchester.
During the first half, Emma Coates’ Young Lionesses dominated possession with a few early chances. One of these was in the tenth minute, when Aston Villa’s summer signing Ebony Salmon went close after defender Poppy Pattinson neatly slotted it through the middle.
While England were the more attacking side, Portugal did have a few chances, meaning Southampton’s Kayla Rendall needed to stay alert to keep the ball out of the back of the net, commanding her area comfortably. In the final few minutes of the half Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones had a brilliant chance but sadly the final shot wasn’t executed to plan.
In the last minute of the half, Katie Robinson got subbed off due for 23-year-old Jessica Naz after going down a few minutes prior and sustaining an injury. Having left the pitch for treatment she was then unable to continue which left Coates’ side vulnerable for a while. The break saw both teams going in goalless.
Seconds after play resumed in the second half Tottenham Hotspur’s young forward Naz scored after a lovely ball round from Sheffield United’s Tara Bourne went past Portugal’s strong backline, making it 1-0 to the home team. Naz made a difference throughout the half giving the Lionesses that extra push they lacked in the first half. Then 41 minutes into the second half, Charlton Athletic’s Kiera Skeels scored a superb header after mixed play in the box during the 76th minute.
In the final 20 minutes of the second half, the Young Lionesses created multiple chances giving Carolina Viloa much to do protecting the net. Beartriz Teixeira’s side proceeded to get more frustrated as it went on as the play began to get even more scrappy with the added four minutes.
After the game, 20-year-old Beever-Jones spoke to the media about her chances which saw her hitting the crossbar and post multiple times stating: “It just wasn’t my day today but I’m proud of the others on the scoresheet.” She was also questioned alongside Coates about Lioness head coach Sarina Wiegman saying: ”We play every game thinking she’s watching us so we are always aiming to perform the best we can.”
Lucy Atherton’s photo gallery from the Academy Stadium for Impetus:
Teams: ENGLAND: Rendall, Morris, Pattinson, Mace, Skeels, Bourne, Robinson, Bo Kearns, Beever-Jones, Blinkilde Brown, Salmon. Substitutes used: Naz (for Robinson 45+1), Gregory (for Salmon 62’), Pike (for Pattinson), Kendall (For Blinkilde-Brown).
Scorers: Naz 46′, Skeels 76′.
PORTUGAL: Vilao, Rodriguez, Moreira, Almeida, Alagoa, Barboz, Quieiros, Areia Santos, J. Silva, I. Silva, Teles. Substitutes used: D.Santos (for Barboz 76), Teles (for M.Silva 88)
Referee: Pheobe Cross.
Attendance: 1,449.
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