England Women’s Under-19s kept their Euro hopes alive after a comprehensive 9-1 rout of Northern Ireland in Belfast.
Manchester City forward Natasha Flint scored a first-half hat-trick as Mo Marley’s side came from 1-0 down against the elite qualifying round hosts, but the big win might not be enough to qualify for this summer’s finals in Israel.
The Young Lions’ 2-1 defeat to Norway on Saturday, when Leah Williamson had an added time penalty disallowed for encroachment, could prove crucial, as England can now only make it to the Euros as best-placed runners-up.
N Ireland 1-9 England
UEFA Women's U19s Championship
Elite Qualifying Round
Monday 6 April
Seaview, Belfast
They take on Switzerland in the final group match on Thursday.
Marley’s charges didn’t enjoy the best of starts against Northern Ireland, falling behind to Aimee Mackin’s 10th-minute opener.
But they responded in emphatic style, bagging five goals in 13 minutes.
Chelsea midfielder Jodie Brett levelled on 27 before Flint grabbed her first goal on the half-hour mark. She added her second and third in between the first of two Williamson spot-kicks.
Sarah Mayling got her name on the scoresheet shortly after the break and Katie Zelem made it 7-1 just before the hour.
Williamson converted a second penalty after Amy McGivern was sent off and substitute Millie Turner, on for Jenna Dear, rounded off an astonishing afternoon with a ninth goal in added time.
England: 1 Caitlin Leach (Aston Villa), 2 Gabrielle George (Everton), 3 Leah Williamson (Arsenal), 4 Jodie Brett (Chelsea), 5 Molly Bartrip (Reading), 7 Natasha Flint (Manchester City), 8 Jenna Dear (Chelsea), 10 Katie Zelem (Liverpool), 16 Rosella Ayane (Chelsea), 17 Claudia Walker (Everton), 18 Sarah Mayling (Aston Villa).
Substitutes: 14 Millie Turner (Everton) for Dear 54, 11 Carla Humphrey (Arsenal) for Mayling 54, 13 Sophie Baggaley (Birmingham City) for Leach 77.
Substitutes not used: 9 Mollie Green (Liverpool), 12 Eloise Wilson (Reading), 15 Georgia Brougham (Manchester City).
Goals: Brett 27, Flint 30, 33, 40, Williamson (pen) 37, (pen) 87, Mayling 50, Zelem 59, Turner 90+1.
Head coach: Mo Marley
Referee: Kateryna Zora (UKR)
