A 51st minute Isobel Christensen goal saw Australia defeated by England 1-0 in Yongchuang, China.

In a tight contest, Christensen broke the deadlock with a tight finish on the angle to give England their second straight win over Australia this year.

Head coach Alen Stajcic made five changes to the starting line up as well as positional changes as Australia continued their preparation for the Rio Olympic qualifiers.

https://twitter.com/TheWomensGame/status/658909467271168000

The new look Australian attack caused problems for England in the opening 20 minutes.

Midfielder Katrina Gorry found Sam Kerr in behind the England defence in the 15th minute but, on the angle, goalkeeper Karen Bardsley made a comfortable collect down low.

Two minutes later the Gorry and Kerr combined again with the Perth Glory captain half volleying Gorry's cross only to be denied by a sharp reflex save from Bardsley.

Australia continued to pressure England late in the half with Emily Van-Egmond popping her six yard header over the crossbar from a well weighted Lisa De Vanna cross.

Eni Aluko almost made Australia pay on the shadows of half time when Lucy Bronze's speculative cross fell to her in the penalty area. From close range, the England striker lashed her shot into the crossbar.

After the break England continued their momentum and six minutes after the re-start they had what was to be the match winning goal.

Bronze was again involved as she put in a well weight ball into the path of Christensen with the Manchester City striker beating the on-rushing Lydia Williams on the angle.

https://twitter.com/TheWomensGame/status/658940049891921920

Minutes later England were on the attack with match centurion Jill Scott squandering an opportunity when she sliced her effort wide from 8 yards out.

Canberra United striker Jodie Taylor looked had to chances to the double the score late. The first was saved by her club teammate Williams who saved with her legs to deny Taylor on the angle.

The second was correctly called for off-side, despite the forward finding the back of the net.

Attacking substitutions saw Australia push for a late equaliser with Kyah Simon heading over the crossbar but the Matildas couldn't produce enough chances to test Bardsley and the English defence.

England          1 (Christensen 51')

Australia         0

Dewellbon Cup

Tuesday 27 October 2015

Yongchuan, China

Referee: Liang Qin (CHN)

Australia (4-3-3): 1 Lydia Williams, 2 Larissa Crummer (17 Kyah Simon 60'), 5 Laura Alleway, 6 Georgia Yeoman-Dale (14 Alanna Kennedy 72'), 7 Stephanie Catley, 8 Elise Kellond-Knight, 9 Caitlin Foord, 10 Emily Van-Egmond, 11 Lisa De Vanna (C), 19 Katrina Gorry (13 Tameka Butt 60'), 20 Samantha Kerr.

Substitutes not used: 21 Mackenzie Arnold, 4 Clare Polkinghorne, 12 Amy Harrison, 15 Tara Andrews, 16 Hayley Raso, 22 Caitlin Cooper, 23 Michelle Heyman.

England (4-4-1-1): 1 Karen Bardsley; 2 Lucy Bronze, 5 Steph Houghton; 12 Gilly Flaherty, 14 Claire Rafferty; 15 Alex Scott, 6 Jill Scott, 4 Jo Potter, 3 Demi Stokes; 8 Isobel Christiansen (18 Laura Coombs 90+2'); 11 Eniola Aluko (9 Jodie Taylor 57')

Substitutes not used: 13 Rachael Laws, 21 Mary Earps, 7 Gemma Davison, 10 Fran Kirby, 16 Hannah Blundell, 17 Drew Spence, 19 Lianne Sanderson, 20 Beth Mead