Aluko ensures England advantage

By Matthew Watson-Broughton at ZTE stadium

England survived a late scare to defeat neighbours Scotland 3-1 in their opening Group B game at the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship.

Aluko strikes
England were firmly in control after Eniola Aluko scored midway through each half, only for Scotland to spark a frantic few final minutes by hitting the crossbar through Emma Fernan's fierce volley before Fay Hughes halved the deficit. Lianne Sanderson kept her cool to seal the win with a last-gasp header, however, meaning England have maximum points ahead of their return to Zalaegerszeg to face Russia on Friday, when Scotland play France.

Open match
Both teams started tentatively yet with obvious attacking intentions. England's Karen Carney saw a long-range effort palmed away by Scotland goalkeeper Caroline Collie before Pamela Liddell forced a sprawling save from England's Carly Telford. It was the side from the south of the border who deservedly opened the scoring in the 28th minute, Aluko's mazy run through the Scotland defence preceding a well-placed shot high to Collie's right.

Telford blow
England endured a setback moments later when Telford suffered a suspected fractured left shoulder after a heavy challenge and Mo Marley was forced to bring on Danielle Hill. The substitute goalkeeper will have been glad of the lull in Scotland's attacking play as she adjusted to championship football, although she had to be alert in the 54th minute as a fierce drive from Hollie Thomson flew just wide of her left upright.

Heated battle
The game was further ignited by several full-blooded tackles as both sides looked to dominate the midfield area, yet it appeared settled in the 69th minute when Aluko drilled in her second goal from short range following Collie's failure to collect a corner. The fleet-footed forward carved out another opening in the 77th minute from another jinking dribble across the edge of the penalty area only to shoot disappointingly wide.

Late hope
Coach Tony Gervaise had promised that Scotland would fight each of their three group stage opponents all the way and his side adhered to that, sneaking back into the game through Hughes's strike in the final minute. There was still time for another goal at the other end, however, as Aluko returned to the field after receiving treatment, tore down the left and crossed via Amy Kane for Sanderson to seal maximum points at the far post.