Women's Football: World Cup - England 1 Mexico 1

Published: 30 June, 2011
by CATHERINE ETOE

ARSENAL striker Ellen White is savouring her first taste of international tournament football after a super-sub show vs Mexico on Monday. 

England took the lead midway through the first half thanks to Everton midfielder Fara Williams, but Mexico levelled on  the half hour when Monica Ocampo’s speculative 30-yard effort crept in. 

White watched the match at the Wolfsburg Arena from the bench, but the 22-year-old got her chance to join Arsenal colleagues Faye White and Rachel Yankey on the pitch 18 minutes from time. “My heart started pumping when Hope Powell told me to warm-up but I felt comfortable going on,” she told us. 

The striker proved an instant hit from the moment she replaced former Gunner Karen Carney, ands spurred the England attack in front of 19,000 fans. Yet it was the forward’s vital goal-line clearance of an almost certain Mexico goal at the death that proved her most crucial contribution to the match. 

“She blasted the ball and I thought it was going in,” Ellen said. “I just stuck my head in the way, I didn’t really think about it.”

Ellen is now looking for more pitch time against New Zealand on Friday. “We’re tying to be positive and I’m hoping I’ll get another chance, I’ll take every chance I get.”