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 England....4 (Yankey 23, Chapman 45,69, Smith 64)Iceland.....0 att: 7,606; at Southend United F.C. England rounded off a memorable season with their second 4-0 victory in a row as they eased to a comfortable win in front of a healthy crowd at Roots Hall. The win was England's biggest over Iceland and capped a good performance lit up by a dazzling display from winger Karen Carney whilst Katie Chapman took her goal tally to three in two appearances. Hope Powell elected to make four changes to her side with Carney, Rachel Yankey and Casey Stoney all returning to the starting line up whilst Jody Handley was handed an opportunity up front. Fara Williams kept her place in midfield, to win her 50th international cap. Kelly Smith produced England's first shot on goal in the seventh minute but they were unlucky not to take the lead shortly afterwards as Rachel Yankey's cross picked out Fara Williams whose glancing header came back off the inside of the post and away to safety. A strong run by Kelly ended with her setting up a chance for Karen Carney who miscued her shot but Iceland failed to clear properly and Katie Chapman returned the ball into the area where Yankey calmly sidefooted past Thore Helgadottir on the volley and into the corner of the net. Chapman was close to heading in a second after a great run and cross from Carney but the midfielder did extend England's lead on the stroke of half time. Yankey's corner from the right was flicked on at the near post by Casey Stoney and, although her first effort was blocked, Chapman was able to nod the ball home at the second attempt. Hope Powell made four changes at the break and one of the substitutes could well have got on the score sheet, however Jill Scott missed her kick after having been found by Smith. England netted their third goal midway through the second half, a defence splitting pass from Carney releasing Smith on goal and she slotted past Helgadottir. Barely a minute later, England were presented with a golden opportunity for another goal as Edda Gardarsdottir was penalised for handball from a Carney cross and a penalty was awarded. Smith stepped up but her shot was too casual and Helgadottir dived to her left to save. However the next goal was not too long in coming and was well worth the wait. Carney chipped a neat pass over the Icelandic defence for Chapman to strike a sweet volley over Helgadottir for her second on the night. Jill Scott headed just wide from a Stoney corner as England sought further goals whilst Sue Smith was narrowly off target with a curling left foot shot. That was the last of the match action but not the end of the entertainment as the two sets of players remaining on the pitch at the final whistle took part in a penalty shootout, in an attempt to recreate the atmosphere of taking penalties in front of a crowd, should the need arise during the World Cup. England - admittedly without most of their first choice penalty takers who had been substituted - subsequently lost, but the 'result' was irrelevant when compared to a highly encouraging team display. England: Rachel Brown, Alex Scott (sub Lindsay Johnson 45mins), Casey Stoney, Katie Chapman (sub Steph Houghton 79mins), Anita Asante, Mary Phillip (sub Faye White 45mins), Karen Carney (sub Sue Smith 69mins), Fara Williams (sub Jill Scott 45mins), Jody Handley, Kelly Smith (sub Lianne Sanderson 84mins), Rachel Yankey (sub Jo Potter 45mins). Subs: Siobhan Chamberlain, Vicky Exley, Rachel Unitt. Iceland: Thore Helgadottir, Gudrunsoley Gunnersdottir, Grete Mjoli Samuelsdottir (sub Olina Gudbjorg Vidarsdottir 77mins), Edda Gardarsdottir, Asta Arnadottir (sub Gudny Bjork Odinsdottir 62mins), Sif Atladottir (sub Gudny Petrina Thordarsdottir 82mins), Rakel Loadstar (sub Anna Bjorg Bjornsdottir 86mins), Katrin Jonsdottir, Margret Lara Vidarsdottir, Dora Maria Larusdottir (sub Helga Sjofn Johannesdottir 69mins), Erla Steina Arnardottir (sub Katrin Omarsdottir 53mins). Subs: Gudbjorg Gunnarsdottir. Photo - Katie Chapman on her way to scoring England's second goal (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
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