Trip to the states was amazing for Grace
Young Bridgnorth soccer star Grace Smith is back from California – and already focusing on her next target.
Smith was part of the England Under-17 girls' USA tour where the Young Lionesses were beaten 2-0 by the USA and South Korea, drawing 1-1 with Japan.
The former Oldbury Wells pupil, now studying A-levels at King Edward VI College, Stourbridge, made her debut last year as a substitute in a 4-0 win against France in Dusseldorf, Germany.
The defender-midfielder was on the bench for the first two games in California, but played the full 90 minutes against the Koreans.
The Aston Villa player said: "It was absolutely amazing to be in LA with the team. My favourite moment had to be the Korea game.
"It was my first international start, so walking out with the team for the first time and singing the national anthem was very special.
"We have a two-day training camp at Bisham Abbey in March where I will try to put myself in the best possible position to be selected for a squad of 18.
"We will go to the elite qualifying round of the Under-17 European Championship in Serbia in March-April, where we will face Serbia, Iceland and Belgium.
"I am continuing to work extremely hard in order to hopefully help the team to qualify for the European Championships which are in Belarus in June."
