Powell youngsters show promise

England manager Hope Powell believes her side are "back on the right track" after the 2005 UEFA European Women's Championship hosts came from behind to beat the Netherlands 2-1 in Heerhugowaard on Saturday.

Russia defeat
England conceded two late goals in a 2-1 defeat by Russia last month, and Powell admitted to giving her team a "battering" afterwards. Her new-look outfit duly responded, but took their time to find their feet and were forced to come from behind after substitute Sylvia Smit had given the Netherlands a 37th-minute lead.

New-look side
England were forced to make a number of adjustments from last month's game, as the Arsenal LFC contingent were competing in the UEFA Women's Cup in Sweden. Two players made their international bows, while Vicky Exley took the captaincy. And the stand-in skipper lead by example, scoring the equaliser just before half-time.

Barr winner
Second-half substitute Amanda Barr then scored what proved to be the winner just after the hour, leaving Powell to reflect upon a "far more pleasing performance" than the showing against Russia.

'Great improvement'
"The new players in particular did well," she told the thefa.com "Everyone who came into the side did a job and I thought that Vicky Exley, who hasn't been in the starting lineup much in our recent matches, was outstanding. It was a great improvement on the display against Russia and it's certainly put our preparations for EURO 2005 back on the right track."

Election quandary
Powell said that the excellent performances of the youngsters could give her a few selection headaches ahead of another friendly against the Dutch on Wednesday: "We've got more experienced players to come back, but the ones who have done so well here will make it difficult for me to leave them out."