Friday, 1 July 2011

England secure late win in Women's WC

England secure late win in Women's WC
A late goal from substitute Jessica Clarke earned England their first win at the Women's World Cup with a 2-1 success over New Zealand.
Clarke scored with nine minutes remaining to complete a comeback started earlier in the second half by Jill Scott, who cancelled out the opening goal by Sarah Gregorius.
England now sit second in Group B and remain on course for a place in the quarter-finals.
Hope Powell's side were desperate for a win having opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Mexico, but found themselves trailing after 18 minutes in Dresden.
Amber Hearn played the ball across the box for Gregorius, who squeezed between two defenders to prod home from a few yards out.
England came close to an equaliser three minutes later through Fara Williams, who produced a left-footed strike from the edge of the area which swerved narrowly wide of the left post.
Rachel Yankey then curled a shot over the crossbar on the half-hour mark having carved a path through the New Zealand back-line.
England further raised the tempo in the second half and their pressure finally paid off after 63 minutes with Alex Scott providing a perfect cross for namesake Jill to head home.
They almost took the lead two minutes later but Kelly Smith's left-footed effort whistled inches wide.
A second goal followed nine minutes from time, though, from substitute Clarke.
A game of ping-pong in the New Zealand box saw goalkeeper Jenny Bindon attempt to punch the ball clear. However, it fell to Katie Hoyle, who laid off to Clarke for the striker to fire into the roof of the net.
England's final Group B game is on Tuesday against Japan, who claimed their place in the last eight with a 4-0 rout of Mexico.
The win came as something of a relief for England manager Powell, having conceded the opening goal.
"We just seem to enjoy making these tournaments hard work," she told Eurosport.
"All credit to New Zealand, we were on the back foot and we struggled in the first half. But then we had a few opportunities, got most of the play and through sheer determination we got the points.
"We're just glad we're through it."
Powell is now hoping the players can build on the victory.
"We're still not out of this and there's more to come," she added. "We've got the win, hopefully we can relax a bit more now.
"We know we should get out of this group but there's still a bit of work to do. I just hope we can relax after this."

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