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 England 3 (Sanderson 16, Aluko 68, E.White 90) Austria 0att: 3,980; at Loftus Road England kept up their winning record in their FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying group against a much improved Austrian side in a game which will be remembered for a debut goal from Chelsea striker Ellen White as well as an eye-catching performance up front from Lianne Sanderson. Dunia Susi was rewarded for her displays in Cyprus by being given a starting spot at right back and Rachel Unitt came in at left back, with Casey Stoney reverting to the centre. Lianne Sanderson started up front alongside the returning Eniola Aluko, whilst Katie Chapman also came back into midfield. England had very strong shouts for a penalty in the second minute as Alex Scott slid the ball into the path of Fara Williams in the area, where she appeared to brought down by Carina Wenninger but play was waved on. The first serious effort on goal came in the seventh minute, Austrian captain Nina Aigner trying her luck from around 25 yards with a low, skidding effort which was well gathered by Karen Bardsley. Aluko twice tested Jasmin Pfeiler with shots from outside the area but it wasn't too long before England broke the deadlock, and the striker was heavily involved. Aluko nutmegged Kathrin Entner near the corner flag before sending in a pinpoint cross to the far post for Sanderson whose header took a slight deflection off Susanna Gahleitner before looping over Pfeiler and into the net. England continued to dictate the play with Sanderson and Aluko looking sharp up front for a while but they began to lose their impetus and Austria started to grow in confidence and a powerful strike from Entner was tipped over the bar by Bardsley. The England goalkeeper did well to punch away the resulting inswinging corner and avert the danger. The second half saw England carve out the first opportunity, a clever flick from Sanderson releasing Aluko in the area where she rounded the oncoming Pfeiler but the goalkeeper had been quick off her line and forced the England striker wide, where the angle was too narrow for a shot. Pfeiler then did well to smother at the feet of Alex Scott following Sanderson's pass into the area but England had a lucky escape at the other end after initially giving away possession, Unitt's clearance was then intercepted by Daniella Tasch whose 20-yard shot came back off the bar. Back came England and a sharp turn and shot in the area by Aluko produced a diving save from Pfeiler, Williams returned the ball into the box for Scott who sliced her shot horribly wide from in front of goal. Scott then had a much better effort after being put through by Aluko but once again Pfeiler was quickly off her line to make another good save. England began to seize the initiative once more and twice Yankey made good runs and crosses from the line, the first just evading the oncoming Sanderson and the second saw Williams foiled by a last ditch clearance. Midway through the second half, England increased their lead through a high quality strike. Sanderson was again heavily involved, finding space on the left before clipping a neat ball into the area where Aluko cleverly flicked her shot past Pfeiler. Yankey shot just wide after being found on the edge of the area by Scott but it was Austria who were to go close next. A quickly taken free kick from the shrewd Aigner caught the England defence napping and Sarah Puntigam strode forward with the ball before firing a 25-yard effort inches over the bar. The impressive Pfeiler then made another great block after Aluko had bundled her way through a couple of challenges and Yankey should have done better with a far post opportunity from Sanderson's cross. Ellen White, who had come on for her England debut, was unlucky to hit the side netting with a header from a good Yankey free kick and Pfeiler again saved well from Aluko's low shot following a good lay off by Sanderson. Williams then went even closer with a 25-yard half volley which clipped the bar. England gave a second debut to Claire Rafferty as a substitute, along with Sue Smith who almost added to their total when volleying over from eight yards. However the icing on the cake came as the game entered injury time, Sanderson sliding a good ball through to Ellen White who coolly clipped the ball over Pfeiler to mark her debut with a goal. England: Karen Bardsley, Dunia Susi (sub Ellen White 62mins), Rachel Unitt (sub Claire Rafferty 86mins), Katie Chapman, Faye White, Casey Stoney, Alex Scott, Fara Williams, Eniola Aluko, Lianne Sanderson, Rachel Yankey (sub Sue Smith 86mins). Subs: Jill Scott, Rachel Brown, Laura Bassett, Lindsay Johnson. Austria: Jasmin Pfeiler, Susanna Gahleitner, Susanna Hoeller, Marlies Hanscaitz, Kathrin Entner, Carina Wenninger, Marion Groebner (sub Nina Burger 63mins), Nadine Prohaska, Sarah Puntigam (sub Susanna Koch 89mins), Nina Aigner, Daniella Tasch. Subs: Bianca Reischer, Kathrin Hoellmueller, Nicole Gatternig.
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