As auditions go this was convincing, if not entirely relevant. Playing an understrength Northern Ireland on a windswept field in Staffordshire is very different to facing USA in the heat and humidity of a Japanese summer, but England could not have done more to advance Hege Riise’s credentials to coach Team GB at the Olympics.
The interim manager was understandably delighted at England’s biggest win in 28 matches. “We probably could have scored more goals, but I am very pleased with the performance and the energy they put in,” said the Norwegian. Ellen White, who scored the final goal of the Phil Neville era last March, led the way with a hat-trick. Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly and debutant Ella Toone also scored.
Riise was particularly impressed by Manchester United’s Toone who was one of four players given debuts off the bench along with Sandy MacIver, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Ebony Salmon. The starting XI was, however, an experienced one with only two surprises. Daly was preferred to the in-form Chloe Kelly on the left wing and Georgia Stanway played as the holding midfielder. That was in part due to Keira Walsh having a thigh injury but both choices indicated the desire to take versatile players to Tokyo.
With a stiff wind behind them at St George’s Park England were able to pen the visitors back from the off and Sheffield United’s Becky Flaherty saved from White and Bronze within the opening ten minutes. England would clearly not be denied for long but Northern Ireland gifted them the 18th-minute opener, Chloe McCarron giving the ball to White who finished clinically.
Five minutes later Bronze ran onto a long pass by Ellie Roebuck – an indication of how England played more directly, and crossed for White to head her second. Bronze bagged the third herself, turning in Lauren Hemp’s 29th-minute cross.
At this stage Kenny Shiels may have feared a repeat of Northern Ireland’s biggest defeat, a 10-0 loss to England at Blackburn in 1986, but his team retained their discipline and reduced the errors. Nevertheless, though Flaherty denied White her hat-trick before the break the Manchester City striker did not have to wait long, turning in Jill Scott’s pass soon after the interval.
The fifth came from Daly in the 66th-minute, tucking away another Bronze cross. By then Kelly was on and she soon won a penalty, brought down by Rebecca Holloway. With Scott, on her 150th appearance, fearing “I would miss and ruin the day”, Toone converted.
England’s players evidently enjoyed the afternoon, which should augur well for Riise as Baroness Sue Campbell intends to consult them about the Team GB coaching role, a decision on which is needed within weeks. The FA’s director of women’s football said: “Your head coach is someone you have to believe in. It is very important for us the players had a chance to experience Hege and [assistant] Rhian Wilkinson and see if this is a team they feel confident of taking them all the way.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3aJmVeG
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