Her Football Hub
·20 October 2021
Her Football Hub
·20 October 2021
England U19 head coach Gemma Davies has taken a squad of 20 players to the Republic of Ireland for three important matches.
The Young Lionesses will take on the hosts, plus Northern Ireland and Switzerland as part of the qualification for next year’s Euros.
The UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship takes place in the Czech Republic between June 27th and July 9th, 2022. From the 52 competing nations, only seven can utlimately qualify along with the hosts.
Davies is new in the England U19 managerial role, having taken over from Lydia Bedford, who now heads the U17s. Davies’ previous position was at Aston Villa, where she was head coach for three years.
There is an overwhelming array of young talent in both the WSL and WSL Academy. Several are on loan at Championship clubs in order to gain valuable experience.
For example, defender Tara Bourne was thriving at Manchester United academy. She is now out on loan at Sheffield United. Forward Aggie Beever-Jones is part of the Chelsea academy and this season she is on loan at Bristol City. Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating is on loan at AFC Fylde.
Speaking to England Football, Davies said: “It will be a privilege to lead an England squad for the first time and I am really looking forward to the group showing what they are capable of over the three matches.”
Davies has included four Aston Villa players who she’ll know extremely well. Olivia McLoughlin and Freya Gregory are regulars in Villa’s first team. In addition, midfielder Laura Brown recently made her first team debut after being awarded a professional contract.
The fourth player is academy forward Missy Goodwin. She’s yet to play for the first team but has been scoring goals week in, week out.
Davies has also rewarded Man City defender Ruby Mace with a place despite her hardly playing for the first team. Mace, originally at Arsenal academy, was loaned out to Birmingham City last season and she set the WSL alight with her outstanding performances in defence.
England firstly take on the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, October 20th at 7pm. They then play Northern Ireland on Saturday, October 23rd at 2pm. They then finish against Switzerland on Tuesday, October 26th at 1pm.
The matches will be available to watch live on YouTube.
Goalkeepers: Khiara Keating (AFC Fylde, loan from Manchester City), Eleanor Heeps (Blackburn Rovers, loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
Defenders: Teyah Goldie (Arsenal), Olivia McLoughlin (Aston Villa), Jorja Fox (Chelsea), Caitlin Smith (Clemson University), Lucy Parry (Liverpool), Ruby Mace (Manchester City), Tara Bourne (Sheffield United, loan from Manchester United)
Midfielders: Laura Brown (Aston Villa), Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Charlotte Wardlaw (Liverpool, loan from Chelsea), Grace Clinton (Everton), Lucia Kendall (Southampton)
Forwards: Alex Hennessy (Arsenal), Freya Gregory (Aston Villa), Missy Goodwin (Aston Villa), Aggie Beever-Jones (Bristol City, loan from Chelsea), Lucy Watson (Sheffield United)