Wales begin European Championship qualifying campaign with victory
Wales Women training session at USW Sports Park ahead of next week's international match against New Zealand. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Wales were victorious in their opening European Championship qualifying match against the Faroe Islands.
Natasha Harding scored a hat-trick, whilst Emma Jones, an own goal from Julia Naomi Mortensen and a stoppage-time header from Rhiannon Roberts gave Wales a comprehensive victory.
15-year-old midfielder Carrie Jones also made her debut, coming on as a substitute for goalscorer Emma Jones.
Harding’s header opened the scoring, before turning provider for Emma Jones, in a two-minute salvo.
Harding added a further goal from the spot in the second half before an own goal from Julia Naomi Mortensen.
As well as the four goals, Kayleigh Green blazed a penalty over the bar in the first half.
Josie Green made her debut for Wales, having come on at the break as a substitute for Elise Hughes.
Kayleigh Green earnt a second penalty for Wales after her shirt was pulled.
Following Green’s missed penalty in the first-half, Harding converted the second penalty just before the hour mark.
Harding earnt her hat-trick with just over ten minutes to go, chipping Anna Hansen.
Their next qualifier is at Rodney Parade next as they take on Northern Ireland on Tuesday 3rd August at 19:05.
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
