WALES’ women might not have quite matched the four goals their male counterparts registered against Moldova earlier this month but they had just as comfortable a ride when winning their penultimate Euro 2017 qualifier in Newport.

On their last visit to the city, when they played Norway at Spytty Park in June, Wales, who can’t reach next year’s finals in France, had given a decent account of themselves but were a clear second best to the Scandinavians.

Returning to take on Group 8’s bottom team on the much talked about Rodney Parade pitch, Jayne Ludlow’s side found the going far more straightforward.

In fact, keeper Claire Skinner barely had a save to make throughout the 90 minutes, which were preceded by several Pro-Palestine protesters making their anti-Israel feelings heard after the national anthems.

When the action got going Wales skipper and centre-half Sophie Ingle commanded her defence well with her and Hayley Ladd flanked by industrious full-backs Rachel Rowe and Gemma Evans.

Jess Fishlock, as ever, pulled the strings in midfield as she, Angharad James, Nadia Lawrence and Natasha Harding got forward at every opportunity to support Helen Ward and Kayleigh Green.

It was a diagonal ball from Ingle that led to the opening goal on 16 minutes.

The captain’s pass found Ward on the edge of the Israel box and the striker took a touch before firing past the keeper with her left foot.

The minutes on the clock had doubled when the hosts doubled their advantage.

A long throw from Rowe was flicked into the path of Ward and in the blink of an eye the ball was in the back of the net.

It was a superb finish from Ward and even at that stage of the evening you sensed it was game over.

With Israel showing no signs of staging a comeback, the second half was all about how many more Wales could add to Ward’s brace.

Half-time substitute Charlotte Estcourt made it 3-0 from close-range on the hour and Fishlock would have got number four had Merav Shamir not saved her late penalty.

Wales are back at Rodney Parade next Tuesday when they round off their Euro 2017 qualifiers against Austria.

Wales: Skinner, Rowe, Evans, James, Ladd, Ingle (capt), Harding, Lawrence (Fletcher 69), Green (Estcourt 45), Fishlock, Ward (Miles 83). Subs not used: O’Sullivan, Roberts, Chivers, Davies.

Attendance: 683