THE Lionesses played against South Africa at Coventry Building Society tonight and it is safe to say they redeemed themselves after the loss against Germany as they beat South Africa 2-1.
England’s starting XI: Mary Earps, Maya Le Tissier, Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan, Georgia Stanway, Chloe Kelly, Jess Park, Grace Clinton, Beth Mead and Jessica Naz.
South Africa’s starting XI: Kaylin Swart, Lebohang Ramalepe, Bambanani Mbane, Tiisetso Makhubela, Karabo Dhlamini, Linda Motlhalo, Amogelang Masego Motau, Noxolo Cesane, Sinoxolo Cesane, Hildah Magaia, Thembi Kgatlana.
This was the third meeting between the two nations with Lionesses taking all three victories and South Africa only managing to score against England once.
Unlike the game against Germany at Wembley, the Lionesses started strong and pushing South Africa to their limits and it certainly didn’t take England long to break the 0-0 deadlock.
On her 50th cap for her country, whilst wearing the number 5 and scoring her 5th goal, captain Leah Williamson scored for her country in the 12th minute after a corner kick for England.
It wasn’t just Williamson that contributed to the score line in a momentous game of her international career.
Young Jessica Naz, in her first senior start for her country whilst leading the line, assisted the captain to slot the ball home for England.
South Africa had a chance to equalise in the 13th minute after a loose pass from Esme Morgan, letting South Africa take possession.
This led to kerfuffle in the six yard box with South Africa having a couple of attempts to score but this was ended as Morgan got the ball away for England.
After the first goal it really did not take England long to double their lead in Coventry.
10 minutes after the first in the 22nd minute, Manchester United Captain, Maya Le Tissier on her 5th cap, waited outside the box for fellow United teammate Grace Clinton to swoop in and head the ball into the back of the net off of Maya Le Tissier’s over the head ball.
A free kick was awarded to England which was given to Beth Mead to take but unfortunately ended up in the hands of Kaylin Swart.
In the early minutes of the second half, South Africa managed to pull one back due to a misplaced pass between Leah Williamson and Georgia Stanway.
The ball came to the feet of Thembi Kgatlana who made the run to beat Alex Greenwood on the far side and managed to fire the ball in the bottom left corner – scoring South Africa’s first ever goal against the Lionesses.
In the 72nd minute, Kgatlana yet again made a run beating England’s backline, with Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze replacing Morgan and Williamson.
Kgatlana beat Bronze from her run and sent the ball flying into the back of the net with Mary Earps having no chance of saving it – unfortunately for the away side, the goal was ruled offside.
England pressed hard for the remainder of the game but could not find another way to strengthen their lead with the game ending 2-1 to England.
Grace Clinton won the EE Player of the Match, she solidified England’s win by scoring their second goal whilst also putting in a shift in the midfield region.
As that was the end of the October camp for the Lionesses, all the players will now return to their respective clubs.
The Lionesses will come back together at the end of November for a match against USA at Wembley Stadium on November 30th and a match against Switzerland at Bramall Lane on the 3rd of December.
