Internationals | Gunning-Williams scores first goal for England Under-23s

Lenna Gunning-Williams netted her first goal for England Under-23s as they played out a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in an international friendly on Friday evening.

With her six previous caps for the Young Lionesses all coming from the substitute’s bench, our Academy graduate was handed her first start for the Under-23s and it took just 10 minutes into the contest at Meadow Lane for her to make her mark on the international stage.

With Jess Simpson sending in a cross from the left, Lenna rose the highest inside the box and perfectly guided a header into the bottom corner via the inside of the post, opening her account for the Young Lionesses.

However, there was late frustrations for England as, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Eve Oude Eleberink drilled home a late equaliser for the Dutch to earn a draw for her nation.

A lively outlet down the right-hand side, our number 18 went on to complete the full match as her early goal in Shrewsbury turned out to be enough for Lauren Smith’s side on the evening.

Lenna was the second of our players to get on the scoresheet for their nation on Friday as Matilda Nilden netted the fifth goal in Sweden Under-23s in their 5-1 victory over Romania this afternoon.

Earlier on in the day, Academy goalkeeper Sophie Jackson was an unused substitute for England Under-20s as they ran out 3-1 winners over Mexico in Spain.