England Women score SIX in their first competitive international match in a year but fans SLAM the BBC’s coverage with shaky picture ‘giving them sea sickness’… as broadcaster blames the WIND!
- England Women got off to a winning start under interim boss Hege Riise
- The Lionesses had not played a competitive match in 354 days
- Ellen White grabbed a hat-trick while Ella Toone scored on her debut
- Jill Scott captained the side on her 150th international appearance
England Women marked their first competitive match in 354 days with a 6-0 victory over Northern Ireland to give them a winning start under interim boss Hege Riise.
However, some fans were left feeling a bit ‘sea sick’ due to high winds affecting the BBC’s coverage of the friendly at St George’s Park. The conditions meant the broadcaster’s stream moved from side to side while sound was also affected in the early stages of the first half.
Fans were left frustrated by the poor quality footage after waiting so long to see England’s Women back in action. In a statement, the BBC said: ‘challenging high winds and the exposed nature of the training pitch at St George’s Park have both contributed to difficulties in the remote production of today’s game, especially in the early stages.’
Ellen White scored a fine hat-trick as England Women beat Northern Ireland 6-0 on Tuesday
The Lionesses were playing their first competitive match in 354 days at St George’s Park
Fans slammed the BBC’s coverage with some claiming the pictures was making them feel sick
Others highlighted their disappointment with the quality and sound of the stream
One fan tweeted: ‘@bbc what the hell. Women’s international and you’ve got a camera on a pole in gale force wind. Giving me sea sickness watching this. Imagine if you’d got the men’s game on with this quality.’
Another added: ‘Really disappointed in the BBC live stream for this lionesses match – weird static, blurry, camera blowing in the wind? Not even available outside the UK. Getting tired of having to call. out all the inequity in access to women’s matches around the world.’
While the stream was a difficult watch, the football played by Riise’s side certainly wasn’t.
Jill Scott captained the team on her 150th international appearance for her country
Lucy Bronze provided two assists and got on the scoresheet herself with a close-range finish
The Norwegian was taking charge of her first game since the departure of Phil Neville in January and her team had far too much for an ambitious Northern Ireland outfit.
The Lionesses were captained by Jill Scott who was making her 150th international appearance while the second half brought debuts for Ella Toone, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Sandy MacIver and Ebony Salmon.
But it was Ellen White who stole the headlines with a fine hat-trick as England eased to victory in the friendly at St George’s Park.
White opened the scoring in the 18th minute, capitalising on a mistake from the Northern Ireland defence to place a clinical finish into the bottom right corner.
The striker doubled the Lionesses’ lead five minutes later, meeting Lucy Bronze’s perfect cross to power a header past Becky Flaherty.
Bronze then got on the scoresheet herself mid-way through the half. Lauren Hemp ghosted into the Northern Ireland box from the left wing and picked out Bronze in the middle who tapped-in from close range.
Ella Toone marked her debut with a goal after stepping up to take a second-half penalty
Hege Riise got off to a winning start in her first game since taking over from Phil Neville
White rounded off an impressive hat-trick just after half-time, receiving a through ball from Jill Scott before turning to power home a fierce shot into the top corner.
Northern Ireland managed to dig-in for 20 minutes before England got their fifth. Bronze again caused problems down the right and her cross found Rachel Daly in the box who applied the finishing touches.
Two substitutes were involved in the sixth goal with Chloe Kelly drawing a foul in the penalty area. Toone, who had come on at half-time, stepped up to take the penalty and sent Flaherty the wrong way.
There was much praise for Scott, who has been an England regular since her debut in 2006.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Gary Lineker both tweeted their congratulations to the midfielder.
Former Lionesses international Alex Scott also hailed her old team-mate, praising her ‘incredible’ achievement.
