Danielle Carter scored a hat trick on her debut for the senior side in Estonia tonight as England ran out 8-0 winners. England Women were playing their first qualifier for Euro 2017, and in their first match since the World Cup. This was a different look side however, with seven changes made because of injury and to rest established players.
Welcomed back to the fold, Notts County’s Jess Clarke earned her 50th senior cap, while young Danielle Carter who has almost 50 caps for the England youth teams took the opportunity given to her with both hands (or should that be feet).
Isobel Christiansen also marked her debut with a goal. The other scorers tonight were: the irrepressible Fran Kirby (2), Jill Scott and Jo Potter.
A fine performance from England although they will be sure to face stiffer opposition on the way to the Euros in the Netherlands, you can only beat what’s in front of you.
The next qualifier is against Bosnia & Herzegovina at Ashton Gate on 29 November, tickets can be purchased here.
Teams:
Estonia: 1 Getter Laar, 4 Pille Raadik, 6 Anete Paulus, 7 Katrin Loo, 8 Kaire Palmaru, 9 Signy Aarna, 13 Kristina Bannikova, 15 Inna Zlidnis, 17 Eneli Vals, 18 Kethy Ounpuu (C), 19 Liis Lepik
Substitutes: 11 Merily Toom for Bannikova 75
Substitutes not used: 12 Imbi Hoop, 2 Liis Pello, 3 Kairi Himanen 5 Daniela Lambin, 14 Miina Kallas, 16 Kelly Rosen
Head coach: Keith Boanas
England (3-4-1-2): 1 Carly Telford (Notts County); 2 Amy Turner (Notts County), 5 Steph Houghton (C; Manchester City), 3 Demi Stokes (Manchester City); 7 Gemma Davison (Chelsea), 6 Jill Scott (Manchester City), 4 Jo Potter (Birmingham City), 11 Fran Kirby (Chelsea); 8 Isobel Christian (Manchester City; 10 Danielle Carter (Arsenal), 9 Jess Clarke (Notts County).
Substitutes: 18 Eniola Aluko (Chelsea) for Scott 68, 17 Ellen White (Notts County) for Davison 78, 14 Casey Stoney (Arsenal) for Clarke 90+2.
Substitutes not used: 12 Laura Bassett (Notts County), 13 Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), 15 Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), 16 Alex Greenwood (Notts County).
Goals: Carter 2, 83, 90+2 Potter 34, Kirby 40, 81, Scott 53, Christiansen 74.
Bookings: Christiansen 45
Head coach: Mark Sampson
Referee: Dilan Gokcek (TUR)
Attendance: 1,342
Photo above shows Danielle Carter facing Japan in a Youth match
You find out more about the England team from The FA
