Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.23 2021-22

England and Spain draw blank

England 0 Spain 0
att 14,284; at Norwich City F.C.
England drew their second successive match in the Arnold Clark Cup when their meeting
with Spain finished goalless at Carrow Road.
Sarina Wiegman made a number of changes from the side which drew 1-1 with
Canada in their opening game and the match followed a pattern from recent meetings
between the two sides with Spain dominating possession and England playing a pressing
game to try and stop theme from getting into a rhythm.
Spain - described by some as the ‘favourites’ for the upcoming Euros - fashioned the
first opportunity as Ona Batlle had a shot from the edge of the area charged down, whilst
Jill Scott struck an effort wide at the other end. Aitana Bonmati was also off target from a
similar distance but these were isolated incidents as the teams began to cancel each other
out.
As half time approached, Ellen White headed narrowly wide from a Beth Mead cross
but the first shot on target did not come until the 42nd minute, Lucia Garcia attempting
a curling effort from just inside the area which was comfortably saved by England
debutant Hannah Hampton.
Both teams made substitutions at the break and local girl Lauren Hemp, who grew
up in Norfolk, almost made an instant impact with a 20-yard strike which came back off
the post.
Chances were starting to come at either end; first, Alexia Putellas found Bonmati
whose shot was blocked, then England hit back with Jordan Nobbs firing wide and
Georgia Stanway produced England’s only shot on target in the match, from 20 yards
which was saved by Misa Rodriguez.
Batlle shot over the bar and Hampton was forced to make another save, this time
from a long range effort by Athenea Del Castillo.
Hampton produced another save from a goalbound effort from Jennifer Hermoso
following more good work by Putellas but despite their efforts, neither team could
produce a goal on the day and both had to settle for a point, which leaves both unbeaten.
England: Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly, Jill Scott (sub Leah
Williamson 62mins), Alex Greenwood, Jess Carter, Nikita Parris (sub Lauren Hemp
45mins), Jordan Nobbs (sub Keira Walsh 62mins), Ellen White, Beth Mead (sub Fran
Kirby 72mins), Georgia Stanway (sub Ella Toone 80mins). Subs not used: Mary Earps,
Demi Stokes, Millie Bright, Niamh Charles, Ellie Roebuck, Alessia Russo, Katie Zelem.
Spain: Misa Rodriguez, Ona Batlle (sub Olga Carmona 62mins), Mapi Leon, Sheila
Garcia, Ivana Andres, Aitana Bonmati, Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas, Marta Cardona
(sub Athenea Del Castillo 45mins), Jennifer Hermoso (sub Esther Gonzalez 87mins),
Lucia Garcia (sub Amaiur Sarriegi 74mins). Subs not used: Lola Gallardo, Laia
Aleixandri, Irene Guerrero, Sandra Panos, Leila Ouahabi, Andrea Pereira, Nerea
Eizagirre, Claudia Pina.
Late goals win Cup for England
England 3 Germany 1
att 13,463; at Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Two late goals were just enough to give England the result they required to lift the
inaugural Arnold Clark Cup and record a first ever victory over Germany on home soil.
Issue no. 23 - 24 February 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk