Page 5 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.10 2022-23

England 1 (Daly 33)
Norway 1 (Maanum 80)
England’s most memorable year finished with something of an anti climax as they
were held to a draw by ten-player Norway in their friendly in Pinatar.
Rachel Daly’s neat header had given the Lionesses a first half lead but Norway hit
back after the break and were worthy of a draw although it was an unfortunate error
by Ellie Roebuck which gifted them the equaliser. England handed a debut to Maya Le
Tissier at full back and Katie Robinson made her first appearance as a late substitute,
whilst Daly was given a chance up front.
Norway made a bright start with Guro Reiten playing through Emilie Haavi
whose shot was well saved at her near post by Roebuck.
Reiten then passed up a great chance to give Norway the lead after Haavi returned
the favour by cutting the ball back to her twelve yards from goal but she sidefooted
wide.
England began to settle down and Lauren James got past Amalie Eikeland with a
piece of trickery before her shot from the edge of the area flew straight at Aurora
Mikalsen.
Just two minutes later though, England were in front. Kelly picked the ball up 25
yards from goal and clipped a neat cross into the area for Daly to guide a header past
Mikalsen and into the corner of the net.
England continued to press as the first half came to a close by attacking down the
flanks but could not fashion another clear cut chance and had to settle for their
one-goal lead at half time.
Early in the second half, Kelly was off target with a left foot strike following a turn
on the edge of the area but there was a scare at the other end when a weak back pass
from Katie Zelem was seized on by Sophie Roman Haug but Roebuck did well to come
off her line to make a smothering save and Alex Greenwood hacked the loose ball clear.
Roebuck was again called into action with a fine diving save to turn away a
goalbound free kick from Reiten as Norway had their best spell of the game, but
England hit back with Ella Toone firing a shot wide from the edge of the area following
good work by Niamh Charles.
Norway were then reduced to ten when Anja Sonstevold was shown a second
yellow card for somewhat needlessly tugging back Nikita Parris, the second time she
had fouled the Manchester United winger in six minutes.
Kelly had a shot deflected narrowly wide after being set up by Alessia Russo but
disaster was to strike minutes later when a long ball forward was chased down by Frida
Maanum, Roebuck came out to clear but missed her kick completely, allowing
Maanum to coolly slot the ball into the empty net for the equaliser.
England: Ellie Roebuck, Maya Le Tissier, Niamh Charles, Keira Walsh (sub Katie
Zelem 45mins), Millie Bright (sub Esme Morgan 45mins), Alex Greenwood (sub
Alessia Russo 63mins), Nikita Parris (sub Katie Robinson 83mins), Ella Toone,
Rachel Daly, Lauren James (sub Georgia Stanway 45mins), Chloe Kelly. Subs not
used: Mary Earps, Ebony Salmon, Jess Park, Sandy Maciver, Gabby George.
Norway: Aurora Mikalsen, Thea Bjelde (sub Maria Thorisdottir 73mins), Guro
Bergsvand, Mathilde Harviken, Anja Sonstevold, Lisa Naalsund (sub Frida Maanum
61mins), Ingrid Syrstad Engen, Guro Reiten, Amalie Eikeland (sub Vilde Boe Risa
73mins), Sophie Roman Haug, Emilie Haavi (sub Julie Blakstad 45mins). Subs not
used: Guro Pettersen, Thea Helene Gammelgaard Sorbo, Emilie Bragstad, Sunniva
Skoglund, Celin Bizet Ildhusoy, Sara Iren Lindbak Horte, Elisabeth Terland, Marit
Bratberg Lund, Anna Josendal, Karina Saevik.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk