King double in England rout

France 0 England 4

Leisa King scored twice as England waded into France to secure a 4-0 victory here yesterday in their opening game in the World Cup qualifier.

In appalling conditions, with two-thirds of the pitch under water, England took command of the game from the 13th minute when Anna Bennett prodded home a loose ball in the circle after good work by Tina Cullen, Jane Smith and King.

Cullen, the captain, was inspirational in just about every England move as her side moved the ball around with precision and speed. The French defended in depth with England unable to add to the score before the interval.

A penalty corner goal two minutes after it from Lucilla Wright was just the right start to the second half and from then on England never looked in danger. A powerful drive down the right by Sarah Blanks provided the first of King's goals as she dived in at the far post to touch home. The Ipswich forward then intercepted a careless pass back by the French defence to score a fine solo goal, recovering after a fumbled first effort.

The England coach, Tricia Heberle, expressed herself well satisfied, calling it "the best possible start". She conceded that England were vulnerable at the back but felt they had played well as a team and had controlled the game.

France: M Loyot; P Bretignyt, G Dutel, A Morin; M Lazennec, S Llobet, C Delloye, A Noel; S Hure, P Bergere, S Remoue. Substitute: S Brechon.

England: C Reid; M Nicholson, K Walsh, F Houslop; S Blanks, J Bimson, L Wright, T Cullen; A Bennett, J Smith L King. Substitutes: D Marsten-Smith, P Miller, R Walker, K Moore.