She’s Mead for hat-trick
BILL MILLS
By BETH MEAD’S 14-minute hat-trick ensured England maintained their flawless start to their Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Northern Ireland had defended resolutely at Wembley and put their bodies on the line - until Mead’s introduction as a second-half substitute.
The Arsenal forward’s goal blitz saw off the visitors, ranked 40 places below England, and hero Mead (celebrating, below) said: “It is just an amazing feeling. “It is an honour pulling on the shirt and to come away with a hat-trick is a special feeling.”
“The manager said ‘Go out there and make a difference’. It has to be up there in my career. To score at hat-trick for England at Wembley has to be up there for me and my family.”
This was the first competitive fixture for the Lionesses at England’s national stadium since Wembley reopened in 2007, but drew a disappointing 23,000 crowd. The result ensures Sarina Wiegman’s side remain top of their group, after thrashing North Macedonia 8-0 and knocking 10 past Luxembourg, as they brought Northern Ireland’s eight-game winning run in competitive fixtures to an end. England dominated early on and had multiple shots blocked while Northern Ireland struggled to get out of their half.
Ellen White blew a chance to close the gap to Kelly Smith’s international goal record, Lauren Hemp hit the bar and Alex Greenwood also hit the woodwork as the game was somehow level at the break – despite 17 shots from England.
England grew increasingly desperate in search of a way to break the deadlock but just moments after coming on, it was Mead who struck with a brilliant 64th-minute volley on the turn past keeper Jacqueline Burns.
Another substitute, Bethany England, scored the Lionesses’ second with a touch on the line to ensure the ball went over the line to deny Hemp a first international goal with 72 minutes played.
Mead then scored at the back post two minutes later after more good work from Hemp before she collected a loose ball to fire into an empty net to complete her hat-trick.
England head into Tuesday’s game against Latvia with a 100 percent record under Wiegman in another result that strengthened their development before the home European Championships.
Wiegman said: “The players that came on made the difference...i think it was Beth’s first touch – and it wasn’t an easy one.
“These are hard games because they are defending all the time. We had to stay patient.”