by Bethany Monkhouse (26/11/24)
Above: The England U23 side that played in Sweden. Photo: Jayde Chamberlain.
Whilst the Lionesses take all the headlines when it comes to international women’s football in England, it’s time to look beneath the surface.
This Thursday, England’s U23 squad are back in action when they travel to Norway before hosting Sweden on 2nd December at Doncaster Rovers FC. Their squad is hugely talented containing the likes of Khiara Keating, Missy Bo Kearns and Mia Enderby.
Emma Coates’ squad go into this international window on the back of a 1-1 draw in the Netherlands, and a 1-0 win at home to Portugal, last time out thanks to Michelle Agyemang’s free-kick with four minutes remaining in front of a record U23 crowd of 2,953 at Shrewsbury Town FC.
Ruby Mace and Laura Blinkilde-Brown both played for the U23s in those matches and have now, for this camp, been called up to the senior Lionesses team, which just shows the potential and talent of this team.
With the senior Lionesses playing in nearby Sheffield next Wednesday, the fact that the U23s are playing just a half-hour drive away the previous day offers England fans the opportunity to make a short break of it, or gives Yorkshire Lionesses fans the chance to see the nation’s best talent on their doorsteps in quick succession.
The U23 side is playing in the group stage of the Women’s U23 European competition with the best-placed sides going on to a semi-final and final. Currently, England are top of their pool, however, Norway are able to overtake them as they have played one game less and are only one point behind ahead of their encounter this Thursday.
Looking ahead to the two games, head coach Coates told the England Football Website: “These are two exciting games against tough opponents. Not only do we want to finish the year with two strong performances, but we want to put ourselves in the best position in our group for the next stage of the competition.
“We’ve played in front of some great crowds this year and I hope to see another one in Doncaster for our final game of 2024. I have some amazing memories of coaching at Doncaster Rovers Belles, so it’ll be a really special night to return to the club with the Young Lionesses.”
Tickets for the game against Sweden (Monday 2nd December) are priced at £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and 14-24-year-olds, and only £1 for under 14s. Tickets can be purchased here. https://tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk/en-GB/categories/rovershome
ENGLAND U23 SQUAD FOR THE GAMES WITH NORWAY AND SWEDEN:
Goalkeepers: Khiara Keating, Kayla Rendell, Fran Stenson.
Defenders: Brooke Aspin, Tara Bourne, Megan Collett, Anouk Denton, Teyah Goldie, Neve Herron, Ella Morris, Hannah Silcock.
Midfielders: Elysia Boddy, Ruby Grant, Missy Bo Kearns, Lucia Kendall, Olivia McLoughlin, Maisie Symonds.
Forwards: Sarah Brasero, Mia Enderby, Isobel Goodwin, Missy Goodwin, Lenna Gunning-Williams, Katie Robinson.
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