Beth Mead netted a 14-minute hat-trick as England eventually defeated a well-drilled Northern Ireland side 4-0 at Wembley Stadium this evening in their latest FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifier.
England were held to a goalless draw by Kenny Shiels’ Northern Ireland side for 64 minutes until the introduction of forwards Mead and Beth England. Both players made an immediate impact with Mead bagging a swift treble and England also getting on the scoresheet, although she may have to share her goal with teammate Lauren Hemp.
Northern Ireland put absolutely everything into a goalless first half and created their own luck as England failed to convert a number of promising opportunities. Hemp drilled an effort against the bar after 14 minutes while visiting keeper Jackie Burns saved well from shots from Ellen White and Leah Williamson. Alex Greenwood then rattled the woodwork from 30 yards with a thunderous effort as the visitors continued to ride their luck.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman went more attacking in the second half with just two players sitting back but visiting keeper Burns came out on top to deny both Fran Kirby and Hemp.
With the game into the final half-hour, Wiegman threw on Mead and England and the former made an instant impact when she acrobatically directed the ball home after Northern Ireland had failed to clear the danger from a corner kick.
Hemp then again saw an effort blocked by the legs of Burns before the same player lobbed the keeper and England poked the ball over the line for the Lionesses’ second goal of the game. It was a goal for the ‘Dubious Goals Panel’ with Hemp possibly the scorer of her first England goal.
Mead then coolly volleyed home a third goal from a Hemp cross before she quickly wrapped up her hat-trick when she placed her effort into the far corner after popping up unmarked in the area.
Kirby lobbed both Burns and the goal as England searched for a fifth while White missed a good chance when given space a few yards out with eight minutes remaining as the scoreline ended 4-0.
The result now means that England have won three out of three in FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifying. The Lionesses travel to Latvia on Tuesday evening while Northern Ireland will host Austria in Belfast.
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