Scotland game at Wycombe

The game that was to have opened the new Wembley will now be played at Wycombe Wanderers on March 11th -

England Women v Scotland
International Friendly
12.30pm, Sunday 11 March 2007
Adams Park, Wycombe Wanderers FC

Wycombe Wanderers FC will host an Auld Enemy clash between England Women and Scotland on Sunday 11 March, as Hope Powell’s side continue their World Cup warm-up preparations.

The last fixture between the two sides was in April 2005 when only a last minute own goal sealed a 2-1 victory for The Three Lions at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park.

England have defeated Scotland in each of the six meetings since 1993 – the year The FA took over the running of the national side – but the history between the two countries goes back to November 1972, when England beat Scotland 3-2 in Greenock in their first ever women’s international.

In September, England will compete in only their second ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in China, and next month will play Russia, Scotland and Holland in the space of seven days. Head Coach Hope Powell has selected a squad of 30 players, with each country only being allowed to take 21 players to the World Cup.

After an anterior cruciate ligament injury which has ruled her out since the away World Cup qualifier victory against Holland in November 2005, Faye White returns to the squad as she continues her rehabilitation, whilst younger players such as Carly Telford, Stephanie Houghton and Corinne Yorston will also be looking to impress.

Ranked 12th in the world, England are being classed as one of the ‘dark horses’ for the sixteen team tournament, as recent draws against the world’s top two sides – Germany and USA – demonstrated.

Scotland are ranked 26th in the world but boast Arsenal striker Julie Fleeting in their ranks, one of the deadliest strikers in women’s football, with an incredible 93 goals in 91 international appearances.

Paul Lambert, manager of Wycombe Wanderers, was capped 40 times by Scotland in a playing career that took in St Mirren, Motherwell, Borussia Dortmund – with whom he won the UEFA Champions League in 1997 – Celtic and Livingston.

Paul said: “It’s always a great occasion when England and Scotland play each other, and the fact that it’s at Adams Park makes it even better.

“These ‘derby’ matches usually serve up great excitement and will be very competitive, and if there’s a big fan base to cheer on both teams, I’ve no doubt the atmosphere will make the game even more memorable. I know who I’ll be cheering for!”

Tickets for the game on 11 March are on sale now priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions.

Tickets can be purchased from the Wycombe Wanderers ticket office or by calling the ticket hotline on 01494 441 118.

Special group discounts are available for groups of over 15, with tickets costing just £1 per person, and booking forms can be downloaded from the FA Website.

England against Holland at Swindon is second friendly

The FA have announced the second of England’s upcoming friendly matches that will be against Holland at Swindon. Now news is awaited as to where the third friendly against Scotland will take place as the prospect of it being the first game at the new Wembley seems to be receding.

The FA and Swindon Town can today confirm that the England Women’s team will take on Holland at the County Ground on Wednesday 14 March as The Three Lions continue their World Cup preparations. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

The last fixture between the two sides was in August 2006 when a Kelly Smith hat-trick inspired Hope Powell’s side to a thrilling 4-0 victory at The Valley in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier.

The two sides have met each other eight times since 1993 with England winning six, losing one and drawing one game.

Hope said: “The team are really looking forward to taking on Holland as they are a young team who play attractive football and are developing very quickly.

“In Vera Pauw they have a very experienced coach and like us, they are trying to put together a structure from the grassroots up that will stand them in good stead for future tournaments.

“In recent years we have been keen to showcase the talents of the England team by taking our home games around the country, and I know that girls football is becomingly increasingly popular in the West Country.

“We have a young girl from Swindon in our Under 15’s Development squad which meets up next week and for players like her and other aspiring girls in the region, seeing the England team in action will hopefully spur them on to maybe become stars of the future.”

The Three Lions will be hoping to attract another bumper crowd in the ‘home’ town of their sponsors Nationwide Building Society, with crowds of over 8,000 having become commonplace over the last eighteen months.

Nationwide are in their ninth year backing the England Team and their Sponsorship Controller Chris Hull said: “We have worked closely with Hope and are looking forward to the team competing on the World stage in September. The development of the team has been fantastic and we, along with everyone else, wish them further success in China.”

The County Ground last hosted international football last September when England’s U17s beat Portugal 4-0 in front of 3,608 fans to clinch The FA International Tournament.

In September, England will compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China, having just returned from a tournament in Guangzhou.

Ranked 12th in the world, England finished the tournament with two draws against the world’s number one and two ranked countries – Germany and USA – to give the players a huge confidence boost as they look to close the gap on some of the game’s superpowers.

The World Cup will be played in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Chengdu and Wuhan, between 10-30 September, the latter hosting the World Cup draw on 22 April.

“Swindon Town FC are delighted to be playing their part in the England Women’s World Cup preparations by hosting the game with Holland in March at The County Ground” added Acting Chief Executive, Martyn Starnes.

“I am sure the people of Swindon and beyond will enjoy seeing international football return to Wiltshire and I am sure we will have a healthy crowd in attendance.”

Tickets for the game on 14 March are on sale now priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions.

Tickets can be purchased from the Swindon Town ticket office or by calling the ticket hotline on 0870 443 1894.

Special group discounts are available for groups of over 15, with tickets costing just £1 per person, and booking forms can be downloaded later today at TheFA.com.

England announce Russia friendly at Milton Keynes

The details have been confirmed of the friendly against Russia that will be played at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes.

7.45pm, Thursday 8 March 2007

National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes Dons FC

The Football Association and Milton Keynes Dons FC are pleased to confirm that the National Hockey Stadium will host England Women’s’ first home World Cup warm-up international on Thursday 8 March, when Hope Powell’s side take on Russia. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

The last fixture between the two sides was in August 2004 when the Russians came from a goal down to seal a late 2-1 victory at Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium.

Hope Powell’s England side have fond memories of the National Hockey Stadium as it was there that they embarked on an eight match unbeaten run in the build-up to Euro 2005.

That February night, goals from Fara Williams, Jody Handley, Amanda Barr and debutante Karen Carney gave England a 4-0 victory over Italy in front of a crowd of 6,546.

In September England will compete in only their second ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in China, having just returned from a Four Nation Tournament in Guangzhou.

Ranked 12th in the world - two places ahead of Russia - England finished the tournament with two draws against the world’s number one and two ranked countries – Germany and USA – to give the players a huge confidence boost as they look to close the gap on some of the game’s superpowers.

Hope Powell’s side will be hoping to attract the same level of support for this crucial qualifier as they did for the game two years ago against Italy.

Hope said: “Over the last eighteen months, crowds of over 8,000 have become commonplace for the team and it undoubtedly gives the players a boost to have supporters cheering them on and getting behind them.

“We’ll be playing three games in the space of a week as we again try to replicate tournament football – the cycle of training, playing, recovering, training and playing again – so that come the World Cup in September, there can be no surprises.

“The players all know that if they remain focused and work hard, a place on the plane to the World Cup is within their grasp, and the next part of our preparations start in earnest with the game against Russia.

Milton Keynes Dons Chairman Pete Winkelman said: “We are delighted to be hosting another women’s international in Milton Keynes, especially in such an important year for the England team.

“The people of Milton Keynes created a tremendous atmosphere for the women’s international here two years ago and Hope Powell’s side certainly lived up to the occasion with a top-class performance.

“I am looking forward to seeing the England team back on Milton Keynes turf, and the passionate support of the city behind them.”

Tickets for the game on 8 March are on sale now priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions.

Tickets can be purchased from the Milton Keynes Dons ticket office or by calling the ticket hotline on 01908 609 000.

Special group discounts are available for groups of over 15, with tickets costing just £1 per person which can be downloaded in the next 24 hours from TheFA.com.

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