Former York City RTC captain Jess Park can look forward to a Women’s Under-17 European Championship semi-final appearance having helped England defeat Italy 4-0 in their decisive final Group B fixture in Marijampole, Lithuania on Tuesday morning.
However, Aston Villa’s Ebony Salmon was this time the star of the show with a second-half hat-trick for the young Lionesses. Liverpool’s Annabel Blanchard similarly found herself on target following a scoreless opening half.
Even so it was Park, 16, who skippered City’s Under-16s early last season and has since moved on to WSL1 title-chasers Manchester City, setting up Salmon for the vital breakthrough goal a couple of minutes into the second period.
Two further rapid strikes during a three-minute spell from the Villa youngster then completed her individual treble, until Blanchard added a fourth with eight minutes remaining.
Group winners Spain also progress through after hammering Poland 5-0, and next face Finland in the semi-final, with England now taking on old rivals Germany on Friday.
