LIONESSES WIN TAKES THE NIC
Taylor ruins Sturgeon’s night as Sampson’s side run riot
ENGLAND’S Lionesses wrecked Nicola Sturgeon’s birthday as they hammered the Scots to give their European Championship campaign a flying start.
It was the perfect start for Mark Sampson’s side as they grabbed three goals inside 32 minutes to lay down a marker for the tournament.
Scotland’s First Minister had flown into this Dutch city hoping to see a Tartan triumph but while she was given a warm welcome by fans the auld enemy refused to follow the script.
The drubbing was led by Jodie Taylor who scored the first hat-trick at these finals since 1997. Ellen White, Jordan Nobbs and Toni Duggan completed the rout.
England now meet Spain on Sunday, in a match that will decide who claims the crucial top spot and probably avoid big guns France and Germany in the knock-out stages. The Scots will hope to lift morale against a weak Portuguese side beaten 2-0 in the Iberian derby.
Sampson had made his intentions clear picking a goal-laden strike force with White joining Nobbs, Fran Kirby and Taylor.
The Scots played their part in a lively start, Jane Ross forcing Karen Bardsley to tip over after 25 seconds. But England took control when Taylor scored in the 11th minute and never relaxed their grip.
Kirby dummied Jade Moore’s pass, foxing two Scottish defenders, and Taylor ran clear to slot the ball home.
The Arsenal striker struck again on 26 minutes, hooking home after Nobbs’ free-kick caused chaos. Caroline Weir had cleared off the line from Lucy Bronze but was unable to prevent Taylor’s goal.
The contest was effectively over when White reacted sharpest after Gemma Fay could only turn Jill Scott’s 35-yard shot onto the bar. As Ifeoma Dieke hesitated the Birmingham forward stabbed the ball in from 10 yards.
Eight minutes into the second half White flicked on skipper Steph Houghton’s long ball for Taylor to complete her treble.
Nobbs added a fine volley following Karen Carney’s cross before Duggan flicked home a header. The only disappointment for Sampson were needless bookings for Houghton and Scott.