Powell guarded after England win

By Tony Leighton

Powell's team won without being at their best

England coach Hope Powell was more pleased with the result than the performance after a 1-0 victory over Scotland at Wycombe.

Three days after crushing Russia 6-0, an England team showing nine changes failed to impress.

"Making so many changes was bound to have an effect but even so it was not the best performance," said Powell.

"It was never going to be the same. Scotland always raise their game against us and give us a tough time."

Powell added: "We were the better side overall but we found it difficult to break them down and it took a great goal by Fara Williams to win the game."

Scotland coach Anna Signeul was likewise unhappy with her side.

"We were very disappointing, especially in the first half," she said.

We are trying to replicate a tournament situation to help prepare ourselves for the World Cup Hope Powell

"Our organisation at the back was lacking and the midfield sat too deep.

"We were better in the second half but that was partly because of England's Kelly Smith going off."

Arsenal star Smith was substituted at the interval and from that point England were increasingly disjointed as five other substitutions followed.

After starting the game with fewer than half of their regular line-up, Powell's team had to survive some anxious second-half moments before claiming victory.

"Credit to the players who came into the side," commented Powell. "They stuck it out and got the result."

As they continue the build-up to September's World Cup finals, Powell and her squad now turn their attention to a meeting with Holland on Wednesday.

It will be their third friendly in seven days and Powell added: "We are trying to replicate a tournament situation to help prepare ourselves for the World Cup.

"It has given us the chance to see how different players cope with the various demands placed on them and it's proving a very useful exercise.

"We've won our first two games, now we face another difficult opponent - Holland. Like Scotland, they always give us a hard time so it's another good challenge."