Harding hits double during Welsh stroll

WALES WOMEN................... 4 FAROE ISLANDS ................. 0

WALES strolled to a 4-0 victory over the Faroe Islands that keeps their hopes of reaching a first major finals on track.

A frustrating first period saw Wales miss a host of chances before record scorer Helen Ward broke the deadlock.

A quick-fire brace from Natasha Harding and a debut goal from Lily Woodham after the break made the result safe in a match Wales utterly dominated.

Wales will next face Euro 2021 qualifier group leaders Norway in Cardiff on Tuesday, October 27.

Both Kayleigh Green and Angharad James headed over tricky chances in the first 10 minutes and on 13 minutes Natasha Harding headed wide after Evans’ super centre.

Wales’ dominance was clear and Ward twice came close, but saw her first effort saved and then headed just over from close range.

Frustration began to set-in when James blazed over and saw another effort tipped behind by Oluva Joensen.

However, the pressure simply had to pay and Jess Fishlock’s smart chip released Ward, who finished emphatically to put Wales ahead on 33 minutes.

The second goal duly arrived just before the hour when the ball fell kindly to Harding. who swept home left-footed to bag her fourth goal against the Faroes in this campaign, before steering in from close-range moments later to make the points safe.

The advantage was big enough at 3-0 for Ludlow to hand debuts to Woodham and Georgia Walters and Woodham scored with almost her first touch as she powered a header past Joensen as Wales scored three times in nine minutes.