Late Carney goal gets England back on track

England Women moved top of their Euro 2017 qualification group after Karen Carney’s late winner sealed a 1-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Lionesses dominated large spells of the contest in Zenica but it was only Carney’s strike four minutes from time which ensured the visitors went home with another valuable three points.

The win saw England climb to the top of Group Seven, two points clear of Belgium and three ahead of Serbia. All eight pool winners go through to next summer’s final tournament in Holland, as well as seven runners-up.

Mark Sampson’s side were held to a 1-1 draw against Belgium last Friday after a disappointing display.

Jill Scott rescued a point with an 84th-minute equaliser on that occasion and there was another late show as Carney hit the crossbar before volleying home the rebound to break Bosnian hearts.

It was no less than England deserved, having dominated the match with 21 shots to their opponents’ five and 13 corners to the opposition’s none.

Notts County defender Alex Greenwood had earlier gone close to breaking the deadlock, but her well-struck freekick was pushed onto the bar, while Scott and Jordan Nobbs also forced good saves from BosniaHerzegovina’s busy goalkeeper Almina Hodzic, before Carney finally found a way through.