Kiwomya injury gives cause for concern
TONI DUGGAN and Nikita Parris struck early in each half as England made it three wins from three at the Women’s European Championship to set up a quarter-final against France.
On Sunday, England will look to end a winless run against France that dates back to 1974.
This victory over Portugal in Tilburg ensured the good work in the matches against Scotland and Spain did not go to waste as England sealed top spot in Group D.
Although it was far from a persuasive England performance, the fringe players brought in by manager Mark Sampson earned the three points.
Duggan chipped in to punish a goalkeeping blunder, and Parris fired home in the 48th minute to restore England’s lead after Portugal had become the first team to score against the Lionesses at this tournament.
It made Sampson’s team the first senior England side, male or female, to take maximum points in the group stage of a European Championship finals.
But watching France coach Olivier Echouafni would have learned little ahead of Sunday’s match, which will be played in Deventer.
Sampson made 10 changes, with only Millie Bright surviving from the starting line-ups that impressively saw off Scotland and Spain.
Laura Bassett, the defender whose own goal against Japan in the 2015 World Cup semi-finals ended their title hopes in that tournament, captained the side.
In came three players each with over 100 caps, in right-back Alex Scott and midfielders Fara Williams and Karen Carney, while Duggan reached a halfcentury of England appearances.
Duggan was gifted England’s seventh-minute opener by a howler from goalkeeper Patricia Morais, who slashed a kick out straight at the England striker. Duggan was rapped on the legs by the ball, but confidently brought it under control and fired in from 25 yards.
On 17 minutes ponderous defending allowed Carolina Mendes to equalise, but England restored their lead in the third minute of the second half. DONCASTER Rovers’ manager Darren Ferguson is concerned that Alex Kiwomya could be out for a significant spell if the prognosis regarding his back injury is a serious one.
Rovers’ marquee close-season recruit was already expected to miss the first month of the season with a nerve problem affecting his calves.
Ferguson has now confirmed the striker is also suffering from a back issue and will undergo further tests and scans to determine the full extent of the injury. He is hoping for clarity next week.
“It is a case of finding out how bad it is and how long it is going to be,” said Ferguson. “So it could be a bad one and a while or it could be something we can look at in a different way and cope with it.”
Rovers, who are aiming to complete the signing of trialist midfielder Isaam Ben Khemis, 21, by the end of the week, also hope to sign a Premier League loan midfielder before the start of the season.
Rotherham United manager Paul Warne says that Darnell Fisher’s move to Preston has boosted veteran Frazer Richardson’s hopes of securing a deal.
Free agent Richardson, 34, is training with his hometown club and while the Millers have other alternatives at right-back, he remains a back-up option.
Warne said: “Darnell leaving obviously gives Frazer a better opportunity of a deal.
“But I am not going to rush into anything. If Frazer is the best one out there for me, then there is the potential for a deal.
“But, no disrespect to Frazer, I want my full-backs to get up and down for fun. Ideally, I want someone young and athletic.”
The Millers’ Checkatrade Trophy home game with Manchester City Under-23s will take place on August 15 (7pm).