It will be youth against experience as Reading team mates Fran Kirby and Nicky Davies face each other in England’s crucial 2015 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday.
By Tony Leighton
England’s new kid on the block Kirby, who scored on her debut in the 4-0 win against Sweden two weeks ago, will be aiming to out-do experienced Wales goalkeeper Davies by once again putting her name on the scoresheet.
A draw in Cardiff will be good enough for qualifying group leaders England, who currently sit five points clear of second in the table Wales with each nation having two games remaining, to reach the finals in Canada.
But 21-year-old striker Kirby insisted: “We’ll be going for the win. It’s going to be tough because Wales are a good side and in Nicky they’ve got a great goalkeeper. She’s very confident, a great shot-stopper and difficult to beat.
“I struggle in training with Reading to get the ball past her and so do the other girls. I’ve been having a bit of friendly banter with Nicky, but it will be down to the serious stuff on Thursday and I’ll be aiming to get the better of her.”
Davies was outstanding in the reverse fixture at Millwall last October despite England’s 2-0 victory. And even if Wales fail to win on Thursday they can still finish second in the group and book a play-off place to qualify for the finals.
The rest of this article can be read on the Vauxhall site.
She Kicks – the online news service for women’s football
