Estonia 0-1 Wales: Natasha Harding’s early strike enough for the win

A goal from Natasha Harding was enough for Wales to keep their perfect start to World Cup qualification going with a 1-0 win against Estonia in Parnu.

The Reading captain got on the end of a sublime through ball from Jess Fishlock to slide the ball past the Estonia ‘keeper on five minutes.

Gemma Grainger’s side dominated the first half as they created an abundance of chances but were only able to capitalise on one.

Wales grew frustrated as the second half progressed as Jarmo Marikainen’s team defended much better than they did during the first period.

It was an easy night for Laura O’Sullivan who wasn’t tested in the Wales goal all evening.

Grainger named an unchanged starting eleven from the side that thrashed Kazakhstan 6-0 at Parc y Scarlets on Friday night.

Wales continued were they left off Friday night, asserting their dominance on the game straight from kick off.

Rachel Rowe almost put them in front within 30 seconds, carrying the ball past the Estonia defenders before her effort from a tight angle was turned out for a corner. 

Estonia’s captain Kethy Õunpuu almost turned the ball into her own net from the resulting corner as the ball bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Rhiannon Roberts over the cross bar from close range after the ball bounced about in the box.

Wales took the lead on five minutes when Natasha Harding got on the end of a sublime through ball with the outside of her foot from Jess Fishlock.

Having gone goal to the good Wales continued to cause problems for the host’s defenders, particularly down the right wing where they were afforded too much space.

It was down that wing where Ceri Holland created a chance for Harding to get her second goal, that she could only turn just wide of the post.  

Wales won eleven corners during the first half which gave Rowe plenty of practise before she found Gemma Evans with a perfect ball on 37 minutes.

Evans was denied her second goal in two games by Kelly Rosen who cleared the ball off the line.

Kayleigh Green thought she had doubled Wales advantage five minutes from the brake when she fired past Karina Kork, but the flag was raised for offside.

Kork pulled off a fantastic save to stop green’s shot, which took a major deflection off Jessika Uleksin to keep the score at 1-0.

Sophie Ingle had a chance to score early in the second half when the ball kindly to her at the edge of the box, but she could only drag her effort wide. 

Wales continued to win conrers after the break and they almost benefitted from them as Green headed just over from a Rowe delivery.

The visitors struggled to create chances at the same frequency as they did in the first half during the second forty-five minutes.

In an attempt to change that Grainger brought on Carrie Jones who can offer more dynamism than Ceri Holland, who she replaced.

Jones was an influence almost straight away, running past an Estonia defender before seeing her shot blocked before Fishlock fired wide on the rebound.

Another moment of magic from the 18-year-old almost saw Wales double their advantage, Jones beat three Estonia defenders before hitting the side netting.

Estonia Line Up

Korina Kork, Mari-Liis Lillemäe, Jessika Uleksin, Siret Räämet, Inna Zlidnis, Liisa Merisalu (Grete Daut 90+1), Kethy Õunpuu (C), Kelly Rosen (Emma Treiberg, 90+1), Valda Kubassova, Kristina Bannikova, Lisette Tammik

Wales Line Up

Laura O’Sullivan, Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Evans, Hayley Ladd, Rachel Rowe, Angharad James, Sophie Ingle (C), Jess Fishlock, Ceri Holland (Carrie Jones, 63), Natasha Harding, Kayleigh Green (Helen Ward, 89).

Goals: Natasha Harding 5’

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)