England U17s got their Euro 2025 qualification off to the perfect start at St. George’s Park on Monday afternoon with a 7-0 victory over the Faroe Islands. Lois Shooter fired the Young Lionesses into the lead. A second-half hat-trick from Jessica Anderson followed while Eva Hendel, Isabel Hebard and Chloe Sarwie also got themselves on the scoresheet.
The Action
It is a busy time within the England pathway system. At U17s level, the Young Lionesses are involved in both European qualifying and the FIFA U17 World Cup which kicks off in just over a week’s time.
The situation has meant that John Salomon has taken over the reins for Round 1 with Natalie Henderson and her World Cup squad on the way to the Dominican Republic via Miami. It has also resulted in plenty of new faces being included as this new cohort seek to emulate what the previous group achieved.
England were always going to be favourites going into this encounter against the Faroe Islands. They did, however, make somewhat tough work of it in the first half. They were dominant in every aspect, constantly pressing the visitors’ back-line with Eva Hendle and Jessica Anderson particularly bright down their respective flanks. Despite racking up the opportunities, they only found the back of the net once before the break, a combination of wayward finishing and smart goalkeeping from Hanna Ellefsen. Chelsea’ Lois Shooter [an apt name for a forward] got the breakthrough – a well-taken header from an Isabel Hebard corner.
The second half was a different story and once they had eventually managed to double their lead, England never looked back. It was Anderson who proved the spark for the floodgates to open as she scored two in as many minutes. Hendle added a fourth with a leaping header before Hebard produced a quality finish to get in on the act. A big mistake from Ellefsen saw Chloe Sarwie add her name to the scoresheet – a low strike from outside the box went straight through the unfortunate keeper’s gloves and legs – before Anderson rounded off her hat-trick deep into injury time.
With Czechia, England’s next opponents, edging past the Netherlands later in the day, the Young Lionesses currently sit top of Group A3, in prime positiion to maintain their League A status for Round 2.
Stand Out Moment
Jessica Anderson’s second goal was the trigger for England’s goal-filled performance in the second-half. Coming in from the right, she sent a shot clinically past Hanna Ellefsen.
England’s Stand Out Performer
It was a starring performance from Manchester United winger, Jessica Anderson. The 16-year-old provided England with a threat throughout but rose to prominence in the second half. With her driving runs down the right, she caused problems for the Faroe Islands defence throughout. Minutes before her first, she produced a sublime low ball across the face of goal that was just crying out for a tap in. She went on to score two in two minutes before securing her hat-trick late on. Arguably, she could have had even more to her name, forcing Hanna Ellefsen into several saves and seeing an angled effort clip the far post.
Teams
ENGLAND
Chiemela-Juj Ude; Isabel Hebard, Holly Minshull, Isabella Cowley, Chloe Sarwie; Gabriella Storey, Eva Forster (c), Taylor Warren; Jessica Anderson, Lois Shooter, Eva Hendle
Subs: Silvana Marshall Miranda; Jhanaie Pierre; Samia Adesanya; Freya Hirons; Aaliyah Pearson; May Cruft; Evie McCaffrey; Lucy Day; Elise Christian
Manager: John Salomon
ENGLAND
Hanna Ellefsen; Eyðna Ólavsdóttir Gaard; Leona Djurhuus (c), Halla Ejdesgaard, Hansina Nesá; Ranja Joensen, Sára Kristiansen, Silija Ragnarsdóttir Trier, Karla Sjóstein, Sara Benjaminsen; Kára Askham Sigurðsson
Subs: Tóra Olsen; Durita Vón Vidtfeldt, Elisabet Norðoy Vilhelmsen; Bjørk Akselsen; Elisabeth Bjartalið; Margreta Elisdóttir Í Buð
Manager: Eyðvør Jakobsen
