England fightback floors Czechs

By Andrew Haslam

England 4-1 Czech Republic
UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ hosts England completed their preparations for the tournament by staging a devastating second-half fightback to run out comfortable winners against the Czech Republic at the Bescot Stadium in Walsall.

Remarkable turnaround
Trailing to Gabriela Chlumecka's early goal, England coach Hope Powell introduced Kelly Smith at half-time and the substitution proved inspired as Smith won the corner from which Rachel Unitt headed England level, before putting the home side in front with a spectacular long-range effort. Unitt effectively settled the game with her second and England's third 17 minutes from time, and another substitute, Eniola Aluko, wrapped up the win four minutes later.

Looping header
Despite the final margin of victory, however, England had started slowly and fell behind in the 26th minute. Pavlina Scasna's right-wing free-kick found its way through to Chlumecka at the far post, and the Czech No7's header looped over Jo Fletcher in the England goal to give the visitors the lead. England strove to get back on level terms but found Zuzana Poincová in impressive form on her 50th international appearance.

Unitt leveller
The Czech goalkeeper continued to frustrate England in the opening minutes of the second half, but was then forced off by injury with Marcela Zborilova taking her place. The substitute goalkeeper was beaten almost immediately as clever play from Smith earned England a corner and, from Rachel Yankey's kick, Walsall-born Rachel Unitt headed England level.

Perfect chip
Four minutes later, England were ahead in stunning style. Smith collected the ball in midfield and brilliantly lofted a perfect chip over Zborilova from 30 metres out. The third goal was not long coming as Karen Carney - another half-time substitute - floated in a left-wing free-kick and Unitt rose highest again, powering a downward header into the net.

Aluko fourth
Four minutes later the win was wrapped up as Aluko collected a loose ball and made no mistake, arrowing a shot into the corner of the net from just outside the penalty area. Carney and Smith again had chances to make the final margin of victory even greater, but on each occasion Zborilova was equal to the task.

Second-half improvement
"I'm not sure I can talke anything from first half, I think the girls knew themselves that that performance wasn't good enough," said Powell. "But we picked it up after half-time, got a bit livelier - the first half was very lethargic - and were much better. You saw tonight what Kelly Smith brings to the team, players raise their game when she's around. If we play like we did in the second half we will do well [at WOMEN'S EURO 2005™]. The players are high in confidence, we have to keep working hard and see what happens."