After the pain of losing the European Championship final 6-2 to Germany last month, England’s women needed a win to kick-start their qualifying campaign for the 2011 World Cup.

But their victory — which included a hat-trick for Fara Williams — left their coach frustrated. “We scored eight goals but, really, it should have probably been about 20, so I’m a little disappointed,” Hope Powell said. “It shows there are still things for us to work on.”

Williams agreed. “I could have scored seven,” she said.

The result was almost a foregone conclusion after Spain had thumped Malta 13-0 in the opening qualifier last month. But that in itself put more pressure on England, who have risen to eighth in the world after reaching the final at Euro 2009.

“They are difficult games when you’re expected to win,” said Powell, who is baffled by rumours that she is a candidate for the vacant managerial role at Grimsby Town, the Coca-Cola League Two strugglers.

It took only five minutes for England to score. Faye White followed up after Sue Smith’s free kick had hit a post. Williams got her first goal in the nineteenth minute and Jessica Clarke was next on the scoresheet in the 35th minute, with Williams adding her second three minutes later and completing her hat-trick in the 65th.

England’s task was made easier by Natasha Pace’s second yellow card. They continued to press and Clarke scored her second goal, swiftly followed by a stunning, long-range strike from Emily Westwood. Rachel Unitt completed the rout.

England’s next match is away to Turkey on November 26.

England (4-4-2): K Bardsley — A Scott, L Bassett, F White (sub: L Johnson, 58min), R Unitt — J Clarke, J Scott, D Buet, S Smith — L Sanderson (sub: J Handley, 54), F Williams (E Westwood, 67). Substitutes not used: R Brown, K Chapman, C Stoney, E Aluko.

Malta (4-5-1): S Costantino — K Parnis, C Zammit, R Chircop (sub: K Saliba, 63), N Pace — D Theuma, C Camilleri (sub: M Deguara, 51), M Debono (sub: C M Fenech, 85), R Cushieri, R Dagostino — Y Carabott. Substitutes not used: M N Zahra, C V White, M Azzopardi, E Xuerreb. Booked: Chircop, Carabott, Pace. Sent off: Pace.