England, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland all made it through to the UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship Elite Round with a game to spare.
England beat Belarus 3-0 as Ebony Salmon struck twice in a three-minute spell midway through the second half and Jessica Park added an effort at the end. The Young Lionesses can now win Group 11 with just a draw against Serbia on Tuesday 8 October.
Republic of Ireland made it two wins from two in Group 9 with three goals in the opening 19 minutes against Montenegro. Alannah McEvoy bagged a brace, the second from the spot after a straight red card for Maja Miletić and then there was an own-goal by Jovana Miladinović.
Northern Ireland had six different scorers in a 6-0 result over Moldova at the Ballymena Showgrounds, which sent them through to the next stage. Alexandra Collighan and Caitlin McGuinness got first-half goals, with one each from Beth Smyth, Rebecca McKenna, Kelsie Burrows and Toni Leigh Finnegan in the second 45.
In the same group at Shamrock Park in Portadown, Wales suffered a heavy defeat against Norway. Celin Bizet Ildhusøy with a hat-trick, Laura Gashi and Eline Hegg scoring two each in an 11-0 thrashing. Wales play Moldova at Solitude on Tuesday, Northern Ireland take on Norway for top spot at Seaview, both 2pm kick offs.
Scotland were on top against Croatia but had to settle for a goalless draw to put them on four points. They finish up against Group 4 leaders Poland on Tuesday and a draw will be enough for them to progress.
Elsewhere there was a 17-0 win for Belgium over Armenia as eleven players got on the score-sheet.
All but four of the qualifiers for the elite round draw on 21 November are now decided, those 24 nations already through are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France (holders), Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
