England 1-1 Canada: Player ratings as Lionesses' Arnold Clark Cup opener finishes all square
By Ali Rampling
England were held to a 1-1 draw by Olympic champions Canada in the pair's opening match of the Arnold Clark Cup on Thursday evening.
It was very much a game of two halves and two superb solo strikes at the Riverside, with England excellent in the opening 45 before a much improved Canada enjoyed the better of the second period.
The Lionesses took a deserved lead after 22 minutes as Kailen Sheridan's punched clearance fell to the feet of Millie Bright. The Chelsea defender sent a sweetly struck volley into the back of the net.
The typically lively Lauren Hemp caused the Canada backline all sorts of problems and she came close to doubling the Lionesses' lead on the stroke of half time, turning Leah Williamson's cross narrowly wide following a slick team move.
Having been second best in the first half, Canada exploded out of the blocks at the break and levelled the scores on the 55 minute mark. Janine Beckie sublimely bent home from the edge of the area following a rapid counter-attack.
Kailen Sheridan saved from Hemp and Georgia Stanway, while Bright popped up at the other end with an important defensive header before the game was out, and there was ultimately nothing to separate the two sides.
England player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Mary Earps (GK) - 6/10 - Couldn't do anything about Canada's equaliser and otherwise didn't really have a save to make. Accurate with her distribution throughout.
Demi Stokes (LB) - 6/10 - Frequently got forward well to support Hemp in the first half, typically solid defensively.
Alex Greenwood (CB) - 6/10 - Incredibly efficient in possession, still rocking that face mask like she's 2009 Faye White. Replaced just after the hour mark.
Millie Bright (CB) - 8/10 - Showcased all the technique of a seasoned striker to open the scoring with a measured volley. Just as good at the other end, winning anything and everything that was thrown at her.
Rachel Daly (RB) - 5/10 - Not able to get forward as often as Stokes on the opposite flank. Surrendered possession in the build-up to Canada's equaliser and beaten by Rose on a couple of occasions in the second half.
2. Midfielders
Leah Williamson (CM) - 7/10 - Fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area in the first half. Her strong understanding with Walsh was evident from the start, with the pair linking up neatly on a number of occasions. Quieter in the second half before being replaced.
Keira Walsh (CM) - 8/10 - Struck up a really effective partnership with Williamson, the pair combining well in possession and shielding the backline when out of possession. Provided the pass of the match to send Hemp scurrying away in the second half.
Ella Toone (CM) - 5/10 - Struggled to hold up the ball and have an impact on proceedings, largely on the fringes of the match. Grew into the game as the first half drew to a close, but was replaced at half time.
3. Forwards
Lauren Hemp (LW) - 8/10 - Wreaked havoc with her electric pace and relentless pressing. Could have got on the scoresheet herself after bursting forward, but saw her effort well saved.
Alessia Russo (ST) - 5/10 - Like her Manchester United teammate Toone, struggled to hold up play and was eased off the ball at times. Looked her most effective when able to take the ball on the turn.
Fran Kirby (RW) - 5/10 - Forced to do a lot defensively in order to contain the lively Lawrence. Struggled to have a telling impact on the game out wide, moved into the middle for the final half an hour.
4. Substitutes
Georgia Stanway - 5/10
Lucy Bronze - 6/10
Nikita Parris - 6/10
Jess Carter - 6/10
Beth Mead - 5/10
Ellen White - 5/10
Canada player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Kailen Sheridan (GK) - 6/10 - Couldn't have done anything about Bright's opening goal, made a really smart save to deny Hemp in the second half.
Ashley Lawrence (LB) - 8/10 - Looked to get forward at any given opportunity, forcing Kirby to sit deep in her own half. Instrumental in Canada's equaliser, nicking possession and driving forward.
Vanessa Gilles (CB) - 7/10 - Helped to keep Russo very quiet with a solid defensive display.
Kadeisha Buchanan (CB) - 7/10 - Popped up with a big header to deny Bright from a set-piece and this was a common theme throughout the evening.
Jayde Riviere (RB) - 6/10 - Had her work cut out defensively up against the lively Hemp, but caused the England winger problems of her own when she ventured forward.
6. Midfielders
Julia Grosso (CM) - 5/10 - Overrun by the movement and combinations of Williamson and Walsh in the first half. Replaced early in the second half.
Jessie Fleming (CM) - 8/10 - Effortlessly cool in possession but often forced to drop deep to get on the ball. Put in a real shift out of possession, working hard to track back and break up play on a number of occasions. Rivalled Walsh for the pass of the game with a stunning through ball for Prince in the second half.
Desiree Scott (CM) - 6/10 - Struggled in the first half but improved in the second following the introduction of Quinn alongside her.
7. Forwards
Janine Beckie (FW) - 7/10 - Levelled the scores with a fabulous, bending effort from the edge of the area.
Jordyn Huitema (ST) - 5/10 - Had little joy up against the immense Bright. Replaced just before the hour mark.
Deanne Rose (FW) - 6/10 - Spun Bright and played in Fleming early in the second half to create Canada's first promising opening.
8. Substitutes
Quinn - 7/10
Nichelle Prince - 7/10
Chloe Lacasse - 5/10
Victoria Peckett - 5/10