AKIPRESS.COM - Helen Ward's hat-trick helped Wales women thrash Kazakhstan 4-0 to claim a first win of their Euro 2017 qualifying campaign at the Bridge Meadow Stadium, reports BBC.

After both sides missed chances in a goalless first half, Natasha Harding headed Wales in front five minutes after the break in Haverfordwest.

Substitute Ward then scored twice in two minutes before sliding in for her third in the closing stages.

Victory sees Wales leapfrog Kazakhstan and Israel into third place in Group 8.

Wales had lost 3-0 away to Austria in their opening fixture before a 4-0 defeat by Norway in October.

The match started in inauspicious fashion as organisers failed to play Kazakhstan's national anthem.