England return to winning ways against South Africa but questions remain – Irvine Times

England’s quick start was in contrast to their 4-3 defeat by Germany on Friday, which saw them lose three times in the first half hour. Williamson’s goal on her 50th cap rewarded England for their dominance before Clinton headed home to give the Lionesses a two-goal lead at the break.

That was very good for the hosts, who stepped on the gas in the second half. Their defense has been called into question in recent months and they failed to keep a clean sheet against a side ranked 50th in the FIFA world rankings as Thembi Kgatlana halved the deficit.

England returned to winning ways, but it wasn’t the most comfortable win as Kgatlana saw a goal disallowed for offside and was later denied on several occasions as England held on for victory.

Sarina Wiegmann made eight changes from the clash with Germany. Georgia Stanway booked twice last week and kept her place alongside Williamson and Beth Mead, while the likes of Chloe Kelly, Mary Earps and Alex Greenwood were recalled.

In contrast to Friday’s defeat at Wembley, the Lionesses started from the front and were rewarded for a blistering 12th-minute opener thanks to captain Williamson.

Jess Naz was first to react from a corner and set up the Arsenal defender who managed to take the ball from her feet and strike into the bottom corner.

The visitors were almost level straight away – Esme Morgan was caught napping deep in her own half and Kgatlana’s initial effort was blocked into the path of Hilda Magaya, who failed to clear as Clinton came back from midfield to apply pressure .

England doubled their lead in the 23rd minute when Maya Le Tissier perfectly picked out Manchester United team-mate Clinton, who scored with a powerful header.

Wigman’s side weren’t having it all their own way though – Kgatlana got in behind the England defense and Williamson was called upon to deal with the danger.

England were punished for a weak start to the second half. Williamson’s loose pass allowed Kgatlana through on goal and she finished beyond Earps in cool fashion to make it 2-1.

England were inches away from restoring their two-goal lead as Kelly dribbled past two defenders and fired in from distance, only to see her effort hit the crossbar.

Another mistake by Williamson allowed the menacing Kgatlana to escape again and she passed to Magaya whose shot was blocked.

Against all odds, South Africa thought they were level – again Kgatlana got behind the backline and fired beyond Earps, only for the assistant referee’s offside flag to rightly end the celebrations.

England just couldn’t deal with Kgatlana in the second period and substitute Lucy Bronze had to block an effort back before Earps came into action a few minutes later as England held on.