The football duo, both from Alnwick, played their part in steering the Three Lions to second-place in Group D, booking a last-eight encounter with Group C table-toppers Japan.

The pair, who both play for Sunderland, featured in all three of the Lionesses group stage matches in the global competition, held in New Zealand.

Wins against Brazil and Nigeria took England to the top of the group but a 3-0 defeat against Korea Republic yesterday saw the Lionesses progress as Group D runners-up.

Speaking after England's loss to Korea, head coach Lois Fidler, told fifa.com: "Obviously it's a bit of a bittersweet pill for us to swallow tonight, but first and foremost I have to congratulate the players for qualifying.

"Football's all about getting the points you need and we got the wins under our belt in the first two matches."
And England did this in emphatic style.

Lucy S started England's opening match against Brazil, while Lucy B was on the bench. And the pair helped England record a 3-0 win over the South American outfit, who were one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Twice in the first period Staniforth broke through on the right, but in both cases her cut-backs were wasted, Isobel Christiansen slid the ball wide while Danielle Carter shot straight at Aline in the Brazil goal.

Staniforth was taken off just after the hour while Bronze replaced Rachel Daly after 69 minutes. And England took the lead just minutes after when Carter slid the ball past Brazilian keeper Aline.

The Three Lions doubled their lead through Lauren Bruton before Carter wrapped up the proceedings when she turned her marker and fired home.

England recorded the victory in front of more than 10,000 fans in the Wellington Stadium.

And England made it two wins on the bounce with a fine 1-0 victory over Nigeria; Jessica Holbrook's 79th minute strike snatched the points.

Lucy B started against the African side before being replaced midway through the second-period. Lucy S came off the bench late on.

The match was once again played in the 40,000 capacity Wellington Stadium.

But England were made to endure a nervous final match against Korea Republic, played at 6am English time yesterday, infront of 3,920 fans in the North Harbour Stadium.

Lucy B featured for the whole 90 minutes while Lucy S came off the bench just after the hour.

But goals from Ji So Yun, Koh Kyung Yeon and Song Ari condemned the Lionesses to their first defeat of the tournament, putting their quarter-final hopes in jeopardy.

However, a 2-2 draw against Nigeria and Brazil saw Korea and England qualify for the last eight. England will face Japan on November 9 at the 25,000 capacity Waikato Stadium, in Hamilton.

Japan will be no push-over though. The Group C winners triumphed in all three group matches, beating France, Paraguay and USA.

The winners will face either Denmark or Korea DPR in the semi-final, to be played in Christchurch, on November 13.

Visit our website www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk for the match report of England's clash with Japan.

Quarter-final draw

November 8:
Denmark v Korea DPR
Germany v Canada

November 9:
Japan v England
Korea Republic v USA