Neville frustrated as England are kept at bay

PHIL NEVILLE was clear in stating how it would be. For all the positivity and bumper crowd of 25,603, enjoyment, he said, would only come with a win. As it was, he was left grimacing on the touchline as his first match in charge of England’s women on home soil ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw. England had 16 attempts at St Mary’s and kept pressing until the end but Wales goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan was in inspired form. This World Cup qualifier did not go according to plan — England had won the previous eight meetings between the nations by an aggregate score of 34-2 — but Neville, whose side face forward, saw a shot deflect off Steph Houghton to wrong-foot goalkeeper Carly Telford but Lucy Bronze managed to scoop the ball off the line. Neville’s side dominated possession but they struggled to create chances. The best moment before the interval was provided by Arsenal’s Jordan Nobbs, who saw O’Sullivan tip a 25-yard shot on to the bar. O’Sullivan later denied Ellen White’s fierce drive and, in injury time, thwarted Fran Kirby. ‘I don’t think we played well enough in the first half,’ Neville said. ‘I have to give credit to Wales.’

Bosnia on Tuesday, was magnanimous and recognised Wales’s efforts. Something to which Neville must become accustomed is lesser teams trying to stifle the life out of his team. Wales, who arrived on the south coast top of Group A, played five defenders and a midfield four to shut out England’s attack. It was the visitors, though, who were unfortunate not to take an early lead when Tash Harding, the Reading