Ex-Sunderland Ladies star Scott celebrates 150th England cap
England Women thrashed Northern Ireland 6-0 as Jill Scott won her 150th cap.
Scott – who started her career with her hometown club Sunderland Ladies before moving on to Manchester City andnowEvertononloan–captained the side.
Ellen White struck a hattrick as England Women markedHegeRiise’sfirstgame intemporarychargewitha6-0 demolition of Northern Ireland
in a behind-closed-doors friendly at St George’s Park.
White struck twice in the first half in clinical fashion before completing her treble in the 48th minute, taking her international tally to 37 goals.
Reflectingonthelandmark cap, Scott said: "The game was really enjoyable. Really happy for Ella Toone and the other girls who made their debuts, soit'sbeenagreatdayallround.
"Massive thanks to Steph [Houghton]forlettingmehave the captain's armband. She's made so much effort to make sure it was a special day for me.
"I've been overwhelmed by all the messages, I was just tryingtoconcentrateonthegame butnowIcanfinallyrelax.Everything I do is to just make my family proud but I don't think this has sunk in yet."
The Lionesses had not playedsinceMarchlastyearafterscheduledmatchesagainst
Germany and Norway were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Former Norway midfielderRiisetookchargeofEngland for the first time, with Holland boss Sarina Wiegman due to take over permanently in SeptemberfollowingPhilNeville’s departure last month. White didnothavetowaitlongforher first goal as she slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.
The Lionesses doubled their lead when White was played in by Lucy Bronze, who found the 31-year-old, who flicked the ball past Flaherty.
Bronze then found the net herself for England’s third when the visitors were caught trying to play out from the back.
On her 150th cap for her country, Scott turned provider for White’s third, picking out the Manchester City forward with a well-weighted ball. White’s first touch took her away from the defender before she fired into the roof of the net. The 34-year-old Scott made her debut against Hollandin2006andonlyFaraWilliams, who won 172 caps, has playedmoretimesforEngland.
The Lionesses netted their fifth through Rachel Daly and Ella Toone scored on her Englanddebut,placingtheball into the bottom corner from the penalty spot.
Lewis Dickman has been confirmed as Sunderland’s new Academy Manager.
The position has been vacant since Paul Reid's departure last year and Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has moved to appoint Dickman, a crucial figure in the club'sacademyoperationsover the last decade.
The club have also confirmed that Dickman's previous position as Head of Coaching will be filled by Stuart English. English has operated as Assistant Academy Manager at Birmingham City for the last five years, and was Brentford's Head of Coaching before that.
English has been present at the last two matchdays as he assumes his new role. Leann Cowperthwaite has been appointed the club's Head of Academy Operations.
"A modern-day academy requires strong, collaborative and diverse leadership and we nowhavethatinplace,"Speakman said. "I look forward to supporting our new academy leadership group, as we strive to deliver a best-in-class youth system with a clear talent pathway through to the senior squad.”
Sunderland’s regular season will finish behind closed doors, but the government’s roadmap has raised the possibility of some fans attending the League One play-off final.
Thegovernmentguidelines say that fans will not be able to return to grounds until May 17 at the earliest.
Should approval be granted at that stage, capacity will becappedat10,000ingrounds with a capacity of over 40,000, and at 25% in all other venues.
Datesforplay-offsemifinal fixturesarenotconfirmedbut thefinalisscheduledforWembleyontheBankHolidayweekend of May 29-31.