Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Women's Football


A Fran Kirby-inspired England scored four goals in 12 minutes as they thrashed Kazakhstan to maintain their perfect start to World Cup qualifying.

Mel Lawley scored from close range on her full international debut, and substitute Kirby added a second-half penalty with her first touch.

The Chelsea forward was involved in both of Nikita Parris' goals, while Izzy Christiansen's tap-in capped an easy night for England in Colchester.

England are second in Group 1.

After what could be Mo Marley's last game in interim charge, England are one point behind Wales, who beat Bosnia Herzegovina 1-0 on Tuesday and have played one game more.

The Lionesses are still yet to concede a goal in the qualifying campaign for the 2019 World Cup in France - with Kazakhstan failing to test returning goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, who made her first appearance since breaking her leg at Euro 2017.

Wales edge to narrow win in Bosnia
Northern Ireland get first qualifying points
Republic of Ireland hold Netherlands
Marley, who has won two and lost the other of her three matches in charge, has applied to succeed the sacked Mark Sampson on a permanent basis - with interviews to be held on 4 December.

With Karen Carney (ankle) and Demi Stokes (hip) pulling out of the squad through injury, Marley handed Manchester City's Keira Walsh her international debut - and brought Jess Carter off the bench for her England bow.

Kazakhstan, ranked 66 in the world, were not helped by an injury to goalkeeper Oksana Zheleznyak - who struggled before coming off at half-time, and though her replacement Irina Sandalova performed admirably she could do nothing to stop England's onslaught.

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