Tranmerekat on Tour: You are like a 'Harry Kane'

England Women host Republic of Ireland Women in a Euro 2025 Qualifier at Carrow Road

The Lionesses are in Norfolk at the home of the Canaries to take on the Girls in Green, Na Cailini I Ingles, in the fifth of six Euro Qualifiers. They need to win tonight and another on Tuesday against Sweden to guarantee a place in Euros in Switzerland next summer. Sweden are away to France tonight. The result of that is important for England so we'll keep an eye on that as it impacts qualification from the group. Whatever happens in France, England need a win tonight. And a goal or 3 would help their goal difference which might yet be important. Hannah is in goal getting the call up over Mary and Khiara. The defence is unusual with Alex and Leah in the middle. Jess Carter is on the left and Maya gets a first start on the right. Hope Maya does herself proud. Kiera and Georgia are the usual places in the middle. There's no Fran in the squad as she is unwell so Jess Park is in the number 10 role. It's the usual front 3 of Lessi, Hempo and Mead. Both Lauren James and Lotta left the squad due to injury. The Republic of Ireland have Courtney Brosnan in goal. There's no sign of Katie McCabe as she is suspended. Oops, can't imaging how that happened 😜. Long throw specialist, Megan Campbell is on the bench thankfully. It's very wet with constant drizzle as the wheelie bins of fire spit flames and National Anthems play.

The Lionesses are in control from the off keeping the ball in the Republic of Ireland half. Lessi runs onto a a great little through pass from Mead, rounds Courtney Brosnan and taps home on 5 minutes⚽. They press for another goal but Brosnan is having a good game and makes some great saves. A the half progresses, the pressure gradually fades and the ball is being passed around for the sake of it. The Greens gain a bit of a foothold but England are defending well. There are a few half chances and Jess Park makes some good runs that come to nothing. Serena will be cross at the lack of efficiency early on as the half ends with just a single goal lead.

Jess Carter makes way for Niamh Charles and Leah is replaced by Millie at the break. It is still raining as a second half starts. The Republic of Ireland bring on Megan Campbell. It's going to be tough in this weather with a long throw, but she's using a towel, Dave Chalinor style. England look tired at times and the passing is sloppy. The play is mostly in the opponent’s half but there isn’t much creativity and the Greens are defending well. Lauren Hemp tries to run into the box with the ball but is wrestled to the ground. Georgia makes no mistake from the spot to make it 2 – 0 to the Lionesses⚽. Anything can happen with long shots in this weather. But we are not exploiting how difficult it is for keepers in the rain. Georgia takes a volley from outside the box but it goes way over the bar not testing Brosnan. Jess Naz comes on and gets a good chance and is proving a real handful to the defence playing in the middle. She moves over to the right-wing when Aggie comes on to replace Hemp. Lauren has put in a great shift as ever. Aggie goes up front and her running and pace start to cause real problems. The Lionesses just can't break down the Green’s defence. It’s well into extra time as the ROI get a throw deep in the England half. A long throw from Campbell finds a green head for the first time, it’s flicked on and drops for the waiting striker to volley home underneath Hannah. It’s gutting to concede with the very last kick of the game.

Three points is what the Lionesses needed tonight so it’s job done. It was a little more nervy than it needed to be especially for the crowd. Sweden lost France tonight so all that is need for 2nd place in the group is a draw on Tuesday. Topping the group is unlikely now as it would need France to lose to ROI in Cork on Tuesday. It's an unusual lineup from Serena tonight. She's either testing out new lineups and combinations or resting some legs for Tuesday. We won’t know until the squad is announced ahead of the game in Gothenburg. The was a good atmosphere at Carrow Road despite the rain, the band were playing and the crowd were singing along, making plenty of noise. The energy of the crowd was not always reflected on the pitch. After great initial pressure, the periods of easy possession playing the ball around were too frequent into long. Serena has a good headache now, with positive additions of Jess Naz, Jess Park and Aggie Beaver Jones giving so much energy in attack. We just need to get through Tuesday without losing and then she'll have some friendlies to experiment with the squad before the Euro Finals in Switzerland next summer. Maya had a good game in defence. She isn’t the fastest getting back from a high position when the team are pressing but has great one on one skills and loves a last gasp sliding tackle. Offers a different option to Lucy. Jess Park really stood out with her running at the defence in the 10 roll and is more effective there than out on the wing. Again, a different option to Tooney if Fran isn’t available. Looking forward to the squad announcement on Tuesday. Lessi was playing deep at times tonight. A bit like Harry Kane does and is often criticised for when coming to get the ball and not being there for the crosses into the box. Neither is a fox in the box and it suits some games and not others. Fingers crossed for Tuesday then hope to get to some home friendlies over the rest of the season.

POTM Jess Park stood out with her energy and running forward with the ball.

Officials were good which needs saying as much as when they are awful.

The Scan’o’meter loved the Retro Pick’n’Mix style sweets🍬.

See you on Tuesday at Fort Road when we look to win back the Steve Charman Cup 🏆in a friendly with Seaford.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾