Kelly Smith goals help England to 4-0 win over Austria
By Tony Leighton
Smith was on target again for England
A first-half super-show from striker Kelly Smith put England on the road to a 4-0 win over Austria in their final World Cup qualifying group match.
Smith scored twice and created the third for Alex Scott before being substituted at the break as coach Hope Powell gave fringe players game time.
Smith's replacement Ellen White completed the scoring with her fourth goal in six internationals.
Victory meant England were confirmed as winners of Group Five.
England now have to go through play-offs to reach next year's World Cup finals in Germany but should be confident after a convincing end to the group stage.
Powell's team went ahead after just seven minutes, Smith collecting a clever Karen Carney pass to slide the ball home from 12 yards.
On the half-hour the striker doubled her tally with a close range shot after Alex Scott and left winger Rachel Yankey had combined to set up the chance.
And five minutes from the break Smith turned a Yankey cross back into the middle for Scott to fire a 10-yard shot into the roof of the net.
Goalkeeper Rachel Brown did not have a shot to save until turning away midfielder Nadine Prohaska's 48th minute long range effort.
But that was a rare moment of danger as England retained their grip and hit their fourth goal when White scrambled the ball in from Scott's low cross.
National coach Powell said: "We dominated throughout, created lots of chances and scored some well-worked goals.
"It was a good, disciplined performance that will stand us in good stead for the play-offs which are coming up very soon."
England will found out the identity of their play-off opponents, who they will meet over two legs next month, when the draw is made on 30 August.
Subs not used: Kristler, Danhart, Rappold, Zadrazil.
England (4-2-3-1): Brown (Everton); A. Scott (Boston Breakers), F. White (Arsenal) (Bradley (Lincoln) HT), Stoney (Chelsea), Unitt (Everton); Chapman (Chicago Red Stars) (Houghton (Arsenal) 60), Williams (Everton); Carney (Chicago Red Stars), J. Scott (Everton), Yankey (Arsenal); K. Smith (Boston Breakers) (E.White (Arsenal) HT).
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