Bailey captains and scores in victory for England Under-17s

Zara Bailey captained and scored for England Women’s Under-17s as she led the Young Lionesses to a 3-2 victory over Sweden on Friday.

Wearing the captain’s armband for the second time at this international age group, the young defender got her nation back on level terms in the 18th-minute after Thelma Welin had fired Sweden into an early lead.

Having grabbed her first goal at this level last month – a 3-1 win over Czech Republic – Zara stepped up to take a penalty spot-kick and cooly converted, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, before Freya Hirons put the Under-17s ahead just before the break.

Vera Jones added a third for England in the second half and, despite Sweden pulling a goal back in stoppage time, Remi Allen’s side kicked off their UEFA EURO Under-17 second qualifying round with an important win.  

Forward Jhanaie Pierre was named among the substitutes and was introduced in the second half, replacing Jones, as she completed 28 minutes at the Veritas Stadium, in Finland.

Zara started and completed the full 90 minutes for the fourth consecutive game for England.

Next up for England is the Netherlands on Monday (11.30am) in their second game of the group phase before rounding off the qualifying stage against hosts Finland on Thursday (11.30am), with the winners of the group booking their place at the U17 Euro Finals in May.