England take major step

By Stuart Mawhinney at The Valley. Thursday, 31 August 2006.

World Cup Qualifier
8.05pm, Thursday 31 August 2006
The Valley, Charlton Athletic FC
Live on Sky Sports
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England	4-0	Holland
Smith 9, 25, 50, Yankey 67

England took a major step towards qualification for the 2007 Women's World Cup with a devastating win over Holland that gives them a six-point advantage with just France remaining in their way.

The game was an impressive display from Hope Powell's side as they looked to secure another win in the campaign to make it to China next year, and much of it was owed to the brilliance of player of the match Kelly Smith.

Kelly Smith had the first opportunity to break the deadlock with five minutes on the clock, ghosting past the defender Smith got on the end of a fine Karen Carney cross. The Arsenal forward was not able to make sufficient contact and the ball glanced past the far post, although it did not take long for Smith to make amends.

Showing brilliant composure and deft touch to take down a dropping ball on her chest, Smith then beat two Dutch defenders before guiding a fierce effort into the bottom corner.

England started the game brightly and with relentless attacking intent and the goal was fully deserved.

Karen Carney almost provided an inventive finish to round off a delightful move down the left flank with imposing play from Mary Phillip and Fara Williams.

Four minutes later England forced Holland into conceding a penalty as the nervous defenders struggled to deal with the threat of Kelly Smith.

It was Smith who dusted herself down and stepped up to take the spot kick, sending Marleen Wissink the wrong way to double the Three Lions advantage.

Charlton striker Eniola Aluko thrived on her home ground and nearly marked the occasion with a goal shortly before half time. With sublime one-touch build up from Williams and Carney it was left to Aluko to fire her shot from 12 yards out.

The experienced Dutch keeper Marleen Wissink parried for a corner but it was an excellent chance for Eni to get off the mark.

Just five minutes into the second period Smith grabbed her hat-trick with a looping shot that deflected off Karen Carney.

There was an element of fortune about the strike as it looped over Wissink and into the net taking her tally for the Three Lions to 18.

Smith was also involved in the fourth goal as she showed determined persistance to chase down a lost cause and win a dangerous free kick on the corner of the penalty area.

Rachel Yankey stepped up to deliver a Ronaldinho-esque looping cross that fooled Wissink and rippled the net to the delight of the Valley crowd.

All the focus now switches to that vital final match with France on 30 September as England look to take their final step to the World Cup.

Be sure to stay with TheFA.com for all the build up to that crucial match.

Referee: Floarea Cristina Ionescu
Assistant Referee: Irina Mirt, Fevronia Minodora Ion
(All from Romania)

Teams:

England: Rachel Brown, Alex Scott, Rachel Unitt, Katie Chapman, Anita Asante, Mary Phillip (c), Karen Carney, Fara Williams, Eniola Aluko (Jody Handley 84), Kelly Smith (Jill Scott 82), Rachel Yankey (Sue Smith 74)

Subs not used: Siobhan Chamberlain, Jo Potter, Vicky Exley, Linsday Johnson

Holland: Wissink (c), Bito, Migchelsen, De Boer, Hogewoning, Spitse (Hoogendijk 55), Smit, Demarteau, Melis, Stevens (Delies 82), van der Heilingenberg (van Eyck 65)

Subs not used: Scheenaard, Legemate, Bos, Geurts

Attendance: 7,931

ENGLAND TAKE MAJOR STEP

31 August 2006