England Ladies' Yankey equals Shilton's record 125 caps in last-gasp 1-0 win over Canada

PUBLISHED: 11:01 EST, 7 April 2013 | UPDATED: 17:27 EST, 7 April 2013

Ellen White's last-gasp header proved decisive as England Women's first warm-up match ahead of Euro 2013 ended in a narrow victory over Canada.

The Lionesses were meeting Canada for the second time in less than a month following their 1-0 win over the North Americans in the final of the Cyprus Cup, a victory secured by Rachel Yankey's superb strike from distance.

Yankey was again in the line-up today to earn her 125th cap in an international career dating back to 1997, although she was resting on the bench when England made the breakthrough in the 92nd minute as Fara Williams' cross-cum-shot was nodded home by the lunging White. Legend: Rachel Yankey equalled Peter Shilton's record of 125 England caps

Legend: Rachel Yankey equalled Peter Shilton's record of 125 England caps

Late delight: England celebrate after their injury time winner

Yankey's outing meant she pulled level with Peter Shilton's all-time record for appearances in an England shirt.

'It's crazy that my name is bandied around with Peter Shilton, even though he was playing for the men's team,' Yankey told Press Association Sport.

'I used to watch him play when I was growing up so it's really a great feeling to have won the same number of caps.

'It's not something I thought I would ever achieve.'

While the milestone was clearly an important one for Yankey, England boss Hope Powell surprisingly revealed she was unaware of the significance of the occasion.

Breakaway: Yankey runs past Canada's Kaylyn Kyle

Equaled: Yankey drew level with Shilton, with the keeper receiving an award in 1990 (above)

'I didn't actually realise she'd reached that many,' said Powell. 'Statistics are not something I keep track of.

'But it's a great achievement and well deserved. As players get older, sometimes that hunger is greater and she performed well.'

England and Canada are jointly ranked seventh in the world and have played out a number of tight contests in recent months, dating back to last summer when, as Team GB, Powell's side were beaten 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the London Olympics.

Powell's side failed to spark in a low-key opening 45 minutes at Rotherham's New York Stadium today, however, although Canada were even less impressive.

The visitors showed a flash of attacking threat in the 50th minute when Karen Bardsley saved a Christine Sinclair header following a corner.

Winner: Ellen White (left) struck late to give England victory

Challenge: England's Jill Scott is challenged by Diana Matheson of Canada

England, shorn of injured record scorer Kelly Smith, seemed short of ideas going forward, and Steph Houghton's free-kick from all of 35 yards offered a rare sight of goal.

Better followed within seconds however as a ball over the top sat up nicely for Toni Duggan but her dipping volley came down just the wrong side of the crossbar.

Yankey's afternoon ended in the 82nd minute when she was substituted to a warm reception, with Jess Clarke her replacement.

Battle: England striker Eniola Aluko is challenged by Diana Matheson of Canada

The game looked to be petering out into a draw as stoppage time arrived, but England were far from finished and after the ball broke to Williams for a shot that appeared to be slewing wide, Arsenal forward White stooped to secure the win.

'It was a disappointing first half,' Powell said. 'I thought both teams were a bit disjointed and slow to get going. Sometimes that can happen.

Flying high: 125-cap hero Yankey jumps to control the ball against Canada

'But we kept going and got a good result at the end.

'You can always learn something from any match. They played a different formation to Cyprus so we had to respond to that.

'It was a much better second-half display.'

England are next in action in a friendly against Japan in on June 26, while their first outing at the Euros in Sweden comes against Spain on July 12 before further Group C outings against Russia and France.

Skilful: Scott (left) keeps the ball away from Desiree Scott of Canada

More...

Add your comments

Comments (9)

The comments below have not been moderated.

Seriously, who cares ?

- kzsjdth789X FOIGPUH , RUNCORN, United Kingdom, 08/4/2013 00:41

Click to rate Rating (0)

when i read the headline my first thought was 'how did shilten squeeze in 125 caps in the women's team as well as the men's?

- Conan , Bognor Regis, 07/4/2013 22:12

Click to rate Rating (0)

pure feminist sexism, they demand no seperation on jobs ,yet in sport want women only sports pure hypocrits, when they compete for places in any sport on eqal terms then they will be taken seriously, why ?is there still seperate sport

- el lobo , wishaw, United Kingdom, 07/4/2013 22:03

Click to rate Rating 1

who cares

- jhon smith , anywhere, 07/4/2013 20:06

Click to rate Rating (0)

Massively disrespectful , this woman has earned the right to represent her country at the highest level available to her. People should be proud not derogatory

- Alex Delarge , London, UK, 07/4/2013 18:38

Click to rate Rating 24

How can you possibly compare the two? 125 Full England International Caps for Shilton vs 125 Worse than Sunday league caps for her? Give me a break!

- DB88 , Liverpool, United Kingdom, 07/4/2013 17:54

Click to rate Rating 19

I doubt many real football fans will regard her achievement on the same level as Shilton, for obvious reasons. Well done though!

- Ben Gandy , Manchester, 07/4/2013 17:52

Click to rate Rating 37

- Gillywills , Liverpool, 07/4/2013 17:51

Click to rate Rating 11

It hardly equates to Shilton's long professional club and international career!

- usednurse , Borders, Scotland, 07/4/2013 17:35

Click to rate Rating 34

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

You have 1000 characters left.

Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.

I agree to the House Rules

For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.

Terms

Your Teams

Teams		P	GD	PTS
1	Manchester United	30	39	77
2	Manchester City	30	29	62
3	Chelsea	31	28	58
4	Tottenham Hotspur	32	15	58
5	Arsenal	31	27	56
6	Everton	31	12	52
7	Liverpool	32	19	49
8	West Bromwich Albion	32	-1	44
9	Swansea City	32	1	41
10	Fulham	31	-4	39
11	Southampton	32	-7	37
12	West Ham United	31	-9	37
13	Newcastle United	32	-14	36
14	Norwich City	32	-19	35
15	Stoke City	32	-11	34
16	Aston Villa	32	-24	33
17	Sunderland	32	-11	31
18	Wigan Athletic	31	-20	31
19	Queens Park Rangers	32	-23	24
20	Reading	32	-27	23