England: R.Brown, C.Stoney, R.Unitt, V.Exley (A.Asante 81), F.White, M.Phillip, K.Carney (J.Potter 59), F.Williams, E.Aluko (A.Barr 46), K.Smith, R.Yankey.

After the slaughter of Hungary in their previous game England's women were mightily relieved to come away from Holland with the points after this hard fought encounter.

Hope Powell admitted some disappointment with her teams' performance after the game but she should not be too upset. England are not the only side improving in the womens' game and there will be plenty more tests like this one in coming years as the game continues its' worldwide development.

The return of captain Faye White was obviously reassuring although the loss of Katie Chapman and Alex Scott meant the complexion of the midfield was considerably different to the game in Hungary.

Karen Carney and Vicky Exley increased the attacking potential but reduced the destructive capability of the engine room where more onus than ever was likely to fall on Everton's Fara Williams.

England's confidence carried forward into a bright start which could, perhaps should, have brought an early reward.

Rachel Yankey danced her way to the by-line and cut back perfectly to Eni Aluko. From ten yards the Charlton striker put her shot wide of the upright. Given her wonderful recent form it was a surprising miss.

England's pressure continued but although they had built up an impressive corner count inside the first twenty minutes they had nothing more meaningful to show for their efforts.

Then came the moment which perhaps really gave the Dutch conviction that they were well and truly in the game.

A long ball caught out the England defence and allowed winger Manon Melis to speed clear and put a cross shot too close to the far post for comfort.

By the half hour the game was a much more even contest with England struggling to establish consistent channels of attack.

On 34 minutes Rachel Brown had to react smartly to save Liesbeth Migchelsen's fifteen yard shot through a crowded box when England failed to properly clear a corner.

The imposing Brown was looking an increasingly reassuring figure at this stage.

England's diminishing control was emphasised shortly afterwards when captain White was booked for a forthright challenge. This being her second caution of the campaign, White will now miss the potentially decisive meeting with France in March.

For the moment, however, this game was concern enough for White and her colleagues.

In the lead up to half time England again got on top.

Kelly Smith fired a fine effort just wide from twenty yards before Rachel Unitt, winning her 50th cap and always a threat at set pieces, forced a fine save with a firm header from Casey Stoney's raking free kick.

Half Time: Holland 0 England 0

England continued to press at the start of the second half, eager to maintain their 100% record in the group and smash Holland's own perfect start.

The first half had shown the Dutch to be capable opponents and validated their surprise earlier victory over group favourites France.

Ten minutes into the second half came the games' vital moment. England had already had one strong penalty claim turned down after Smith appeared to have been fouled before Amanda Barr, on as a substitute for Aluko, went down under challenge from Marloes de Boer. This time the penalty was awarded.

Fara Williams had scored penalties in both of England's two previous qualifiers but this one carried far more weight of expectation than either of those.

Once more, however, Williams' nerve and aim held firm and England had a priceless lead.

Just past the hour Vicky Exley forced a good save out of Marleen Wissink from Jo Potter's corner but after this it became increasingly a matter of protecting the one goal lead.

Rachel Brown continued to handle expertly and was alert to stop a de Boer header following a corner.

With five minutes remaining Holland were awarded a free kick twenty yards out. Dionne Demarteau stepped forward and whipped her shot around the wall.

Brown, for once, was helpless but the shot was not quite true and whistled past England's side of the post.

England not at their best perhaps but this was a crucial victory in the chase for a World Cup finals place at China in 2007.

Hope Powell called it right as a "competitive game that could have gone either way," and gave an indication of the standards she expects in saying "we didn't do ourselves justice."

A little harsh, perhaps, on a night when England moved clear at the top of Group 5 against a well organised and thoroughly committed Holland.

Full Time: Holland 0 England 1

Brown 9, Stoney 6, Unitt 8, Exley 7, White 8, Phillip 7, Carney 6 (Potter 7), Williams 8, Aluko 5 (Barr 6), Smith 8, Yankey 7.