Page 13 - Womens Soccer Scene Issue No.5 2022-23
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67mins), Chloe Kelly (sub Lauren James 90mins). Subs not used: Esme Morgan, Ellie
Roebuck, Katie Zelem, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jessica Carter, Nikita Parris, Jess Park, Demi
Stokes, Sandy MacIver, Ebony Salmon.
United States: Alyssa Naeher, Alana Cook, Trinity Rodman (sub Ashley Sanchez
83mins), Sofia Huerta (sub Crystal Dunn 62mins), Lindsey Horan, Sophia Smith, Naomi
Girma (sub Becky Sauerbrunn 83mins), Megan Rapinoe (sub Alyssa Thompson 83mins),
Rose Lavelle, Andi Sullivan (sub Sam Coffey 62mins), Emily Fox (sub Hailie Mace
21mins). Subs not used: Ashley Hatch, Casey Murphy, Jaelin Howell, Aubrey Kingsbury,
Kristie Mewis, Savannah Demelo.
England 0
Czech Republic 0
att 21,222; at Brighton & Hove Albion FC
England’s 15-match winning run came to a halt as they were unable to break down a well
organised Czech Republic side at the AMEX Stadium.
The game had an “after the Lord Mayor’s show” feel about it and this proved to be the
case in a match that will be most remembered for Lucy Bronze winning her 100th cap.
It could all have been different though as Lauren James, making her first start for
England, rattled the post with three minutes on the clock but from that point, they found
it hard to get behind a well drilled Czech defence.
Goalkeeper Olivie Lukasova also gave an impressive performance in the Czech goal
and she made a fine save to deny Ella Toone, coming out quick to block her effort after she
had been set up by a combination of Bronze and Chloe Kelly.
Kelly herself went close with a glancing header as half time approached but there was
a scare at the other end as - not for the first time - England were caught in possession in
their own half and Kamila Dubcova set up Andrea Staskova in space in the area but Alex
Greenwood did well to get back and block her effort.
England brought on Beth Mead at half time and she almost had an immediate impact
as she combined with Bronze to put in a cross for Hemp, but it was fractionally too high
for the winger and she could only divert her header over the bar.
Not long after, Millie Bright who played Mead through with a fine pass but once
again, the impressive Lukasova got out to close the space and deny her the opportunity.
England had their best chance so on the hour, Mead’s pass releasing Hemp whose
shot was touched onto the post by Lukasova, Fran Kirby looked certain to fire home the
rebound but the ball just would not break to her as the visitors survived.
Lukasova continued to keep England at bay, first saving from Mead, and then tipping
Kirby’s long range effort over the bar as the Czechs hung on for a hard earned draw.
England: Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Demi Stokes (sub Rachel Daly 82mins), Keira
Walsh, Millie Bright (sub Esme Morgan 62mins), Alex Greenwood, Chloe Kelly (sub Beth
Mead 45mins), Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Fran Kirby, Lauren James (sub Ebony Salmon
62mins). Subs not used: Ellie Roebuck, Katie Zelem, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jessica Carter,
Nikita Parris, Jess Park, Sandy MacIver.
Czech Republic: Olivie Lukasova, Eliska Sonntagova, Simona Necidova, Petra
Bertholdova, Gabriela Slajsova (sub Anna Dlaskova 75mins), Kiara Cahynova, Kamila
Dubcova, Katerina Svitkova, Tereza Krejciríkova (sub Lucie Martinkova 75mins),
Tereza Szewieczkova (sub Michaela Khyrova 45mins), Andrea Staskova (Miroslava
Mrazova 75mins). Subs not used: Denisa Vesela, Lucie Jelinkova, Klara Cvrckova,
Antonie Slarova, Tereza Fuchsova, Michaela Dubcova, Franny Cerna, Michael Radova.
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