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• Dom Rep secure Group C honours in League B; St Vincent and the Grenadines end on high with victory over Barbados

  Dominican Republic defeated Bermuda 2-0 to not only end the Concacaf Women's Gold Cup qualifiers on a high, but also cop Group C honours in League B, on Tuesday.

  Following the top-of-the-table clash, Dominican Republic ended with 15 points and secured a playoff berth ahead of their Bermudan counterparts, who ended on 13 points. Meanwhile, St Vincent and the Grenadines register a consolation victory of the campaign against Barbados.

  St Vincent and the Grenadines vs. Barbados

  St Vincent and the Grenadines topped Barbados 4-2 in a lively contest at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

  Ashante Browne scored the first goal for the Lady Heat in the 12th when she pushed a pass over the top past goalkeeper Rhea Holder.

  Shanice Stevenson equalized in the 74th when she pounced on a loose ball inside the box with a curling effort into the left netting.

  St Vincent regained the lead through an 82nd-minute Samayaa Connell effort, as she rounded defenders and fired home from close range that left Holder flat-footed.

  Jessicia Miller extended the advantage for the Lady Heat in the 84th when she connected with Asanteni Charles's weighted free kick.

  Charles widened the gap with a goal of her own in the 89th by converting from the penalty spot. 

  Barbados eventually pulled another back courtesy of Altica Benn's own goal in the 90+3.

   

  Dominican Republic vs. Bermuda

  Dominican Republic proved too good for Bermuda on home soil at the Panamericano Stadium in San Cristobal.

  Alyssa Oviedo broke free and opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a powerful shot that bounced off the left upright on its way in.

   

  At the half-hour mark, Kathrynn Gonzalez had shot on frame, but her free kick attempt was denied by Bermuda's goalkeeper Zakhari Turner.

  Lucia Marte was denied in the 44th, after she picked up the ball off a missed header and released a powerful attempt that was punched clear by Turner.

  Mia Asenjo was also denied in the 47th, as Turner was alert for the save early in the second half.

  But Asenjo broke through in the 86th with a powerful hit to the left netting to secure the three points.

• I don’t know what to say – Sarina Wiegman stunned by Nations League finale

  Sarina Wiegman was left almost speechless with disappointment after England’s 6-0 win over Scotland was still not enough to make the Nations League knockout stages as Team GB’s hopes of reaching next summer’s Olympic Games also ended.

  Pedro Martinez Losa’s side, already relegated from League A1, were swept aside at Hampden Park but the Netherlands’ 4-0 win over Belgium saw them top the group.

  Defender Alex Greenwood headed the opener after 12 minutes and two goals in a minute by Lauren James and another by Beth Mead just before the break had the game over by half-time.

  Striker Fran Kirby added a fifth with Lucy Bronze heading in what looked a crucial final goal in the third minute of added time – but Damaris Egurrola’s late brace for the Netherlands meant they pipped Wiegman’s side on goal difference.

  Wiegman, whose side was the nominated nation on behalf of Team GB for Paris next year and needed to win the group, was on the Hampden pitch with her players after the game when the Dutch, whom they beat 3-2 on Friday, scored their crucial fourth.

  She said: “Of course I am very very disappointed. That’s the biggest emotion I have now.

  “We delivered tonight and we delivered this December camp, the team showed lots of character, in this game too and we started the game really well, scored four goals in the first half.

  “When Lucy scored I said to the players that we are going to get this.

  “Netherlands scored in the late seconds and that’s how close it was.

  “We were waiting, long minutes but we really thought we got it and then we didn’t make it I said I actually don’t know what to say.

  “I am really proud of the performance and what we did this whole week but it was not enough and it is really disappointing and you don’t really have to say anything more.

  “If you don’t get through in goal difference then it is just not enough, that’s the facts. But that’s football.”

  Martinez Losa was similarly taken aback by what he had witnessed but for different reasons.

  He said: “We have to apologise to the fans, this was not what they expected.

  “We lost concentration in the first half after we conceded the first goal, we were out of the game at half-time.

  “I will never be embarrassed about the team, about the players, but it was not the performance we were expecting for our fans.

  “England were at a good level and took advantage of their good moments.

  “One of the consequences of the result is because we wanted to win the game. We pressed England high as well as they did. Some moments we were doing things well.

  “After the four goals it was difficult for our players to come back.

  “I considered [making first-half subs] but didn’t do it because in the end, the responsibility of the team is with myself. I respect the team, I understand for the players that it is a big occasion and I wanted to wait until half-time.”

• Billy Heath still hoping Alfreton can make FA Cup third round after Walsall draw

  Alfreton boss Billy Heath believes his players can still become the first in the club’s history to reach the FA Cup third round.

  The Derbyshire part-timers fought out a 0-0 home draw with League Two Walsall, with Heath arguing that his outfit were the better team against a side that ply their trade two divisions higher.

  He went on to admit that a replay in the Midlands represents a tougher proposition, but feels that his “magnificent” side remain capable of progressing with Championship Southampton awaiting the victors at St Mary’s.

  “It was a close game and both teams had chances, but I thought we edged it,” Heath said.

  “We had a bit more goalmouth action and our two chances were the most clear-cut opportunities to score, so we are disappointed with that, but the players were magnificent and we really gave as good as we got.

  “We’ve also got to remind ourselves that some of our players were at work today and some were stuck in traffic and nearly didn’t get here, so it’s fantastic what they have achieved tonight.

  “Hopefully they will get more credit than we get in the league now, because we have some really good individuals with great character.

  “They have shown that in this tie and we are still in it, which is the main thing. It will be even more difficult at their place but we won’t be going there to go out with a whimper and still think we can win the tie.”

  Walsall boss Mat Sadler was subjected to chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” by unimpressed away fans, who have seen their team win just once in nine contests – against Isthmian League minnows Sheppey United in the previous round.

  The Saddlers have also failed to net in three successive matches, but an under-pressure Sadler declared that he was pleased with the manner in which his team did not buckle in the face of repeated long throws into their box from home midfielder Adam Lund.

  “You have to respect whatever the supporters are saying, but we have had a tough spell with injuries and I’m pleased with how incredibly hard the team we put out worked tonight,” Sadler insisted.

  “We had some good moments and controlled long parts of the game, so there were plenty of positives but we didn’t quite have that bit at the end, which is not happening for us at the moment.

  “It will come and sometimes you just need a goal to go off somebody’s backside, earlobe or whatever. But we also showed great resilience to deal with their long throw, which is a hell of a weapon.

  “Fair play to them – they use it well and use it from everywhere, but we stood up to that and it was a very competitive cup tie.”