England Women beat Ukraine 4-0 with two goals apiece for Dowie and Aluko
England Women - Ukraine Women
FIFA World Cup Qualifier Group 6
Venue: Greenhous Meadow
England continued their 100% record in World Cup Qualifying Group 6 as braces from Natasha Dowie and Eniola Aluko secured a 4-0 victory over Ukraine.
They made a purposeful start to the first half and their first effort came in the 9th minute as Jill Scott fired a low drive wide of Zvarych’s goal.
And in the 14th minute it was the Manchester City midfielder again causing problems for Ukraine as she beat three defenders only to see her effort go narrowly wide.
The Lionesses began to crank up the pressure and it nearly told moments later when Demi Stokes found the in-form Eniola Aluko, who danced beyond two defenders, only to see her shot held by Zvarych.
Aluko then turned provider as she slid in Alex Scott down the right, but again England were thwarted by a Zvarych save at the near post.
Chances were then few and far between but on the 27th minute came arguably England’s best opportunity in the half.
Sanderson’s inch perfect pass met Aluko’s run, but the Chelsea forward’s right footed effort went into the side-netting.
And whilst Ukraine posed a threat on the counter attack, it was England who deservedly broke the deadlock on 40 minutes.
Aluko found space down the right hand side and her cross was glanced beautifully beyond Zvarych and into the far corner by Liverpool’s Natasha Dowie to give them a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
The second half began in the same vein as the first, with England pressing in search of a second goal to extend their lead.
And it didn’t take long before it came. In the 48th minute, Sanderson was hauled down by Daria Apanashchenko and her wonderfully worked free-kick found Houghton, who found Aluko to notch her eight goal in as many starts and her sixth of qualifying with a neat, close-range finish.
Ukraine then found themselves on the end of a quick-fire double. Captain Houghton was again the provider as she nodded Fara Williams corner into the path of Dowie. The 25 year-old obliged with a finish from six yards to make it 3-0 and get her second of the evening.
In the 62 minute, England carved Ukraine open again and it was the ever threatening Aluko who caused the problem once more. She was slid through and despite attention from Masalska, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home.
Mark Sampson introduced Kelly Smith, Jess Clarke and Laura Bassett in the second half in place of Sanderson, J.Scott and player of the match Aluko and despite an effort from Apanashchenko, which forced Chamberlain into a fine save, England saw out the game comfortably.
England: Chamberlain, A Scott, Stokes, Williams, Houghton ©, Bronze, Moore, J Scott (62’) , Aluko (78’), Sanderson (62’), Dowie
Subs: Telford (GK), Clarke (78’), Smith (62’), Stoney, Bassett (62’), Bradley, Susi
Ukraine: Zvarych (c), Basanska, Boichenko (86’), Kotyk, Diatel, Romanenko, Andrushchak (64’), Apanashchenko, Vasylyuk, Masalska, Aloshycheva (56’).
Subs: Samson, Korniievets (86’), Ovdiychuk (64’), Lyshafai, Khavanska, Kravets, Yakovyshyn (56’)
Match Officials:
Referee: Sara Persson (SWE) Assistant Referees: Ruba Kristin Stefansdottir (ISL), Asa Olsson (SWE)
Fourth Official: Lisa Rashid (ENG)
Attendance: 5818