England’s 2-1 victory over China in Manchester last night was their last game on home soil before heading out to Canada this summer for the World Cup.
An early goal from Jodie Taylor got the Lionesses on their way after just two minutes, before Fran Kirby doubled their lead just nine minutes later.
A rout could have ensued but Jade Moore hit her effort against the post after China’s goalkeeper Yue Zhang mishit her clearance straight to the Birmingham City midfielder.
Shortly after, it was the visitors that got themselves on the score sheet after a simple ball over the top was not dealt with by the England defence, and Shanshan Wang headed in from the resulting corner.
England regulars Steph Houghton, Karen Carney and Lucy Bronze were all missing through injury for the game against China, leaving Mark Sampson the perfect opportunity to give other members of his squad the chance to stake a claim for a World Cup place.
One of those hoping to catch his eye was Kirby who has been in electric form at the start of her domestic campaign with Reading FC Women. It didn’t take her long to get in on the action on the international stage either, when just after kick-off she delivered the perfect cross with the outside of her boot for Taylor to grab her fourth goal in eight England appearances.
Nine minutes later the 21-year-old went from provider to scorer, smashing a Jordan Nobbs cross in to the roof of the net after a neat bit of control.
Wang’s goal for China will disappoint Sampson who, in the second half, brought on Toni Duggan, Eni Aluko and Lianne Sanderson, none of whom could get a third for England.
The best chance however fell to Alex Greenwood, who blazed over from five yards out after China didn’t deal with an inswinging England corner.
Yue also had to deny Kirby and Duggan after the break, while England keeper Siobhan Chamberlain was stretched by Shuang Wang.
England’s next game is against Canada in their final World Cup warm up match on the 29th of May, after which Sampson will have to pick his 23-strong squad to take to the finals.
After the result in Manchester he said: “Although it was a friendly match it was our last match on home soil. We wanted to maintain momentum and it was important to get a result today against a very difficult Chinese team.
“I thought for the first 15 minutes we were very well organised defensively, we pressed the ball well, scored two goals and should have scored four really with the chances we had. But the momentum in the game changed once we conceded a sloppy goal from a corner.”
“A group of around 35 players now all have a realistic chance of getting on that plane.” He added.
“We’re not quite there yet to beat the likes of USA, Germany, France, but from my point of view we are getting much closer to that. I’m confident that when we come up against those teams next time we are going to be a very difficult opponent for them.”
England play their opening game of the World Cup against France on the 9th of June.
