ENGLAND’S women footballers made history as they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Monday night thanks to a big helping hand from their two Welsh coaches.

The Lionesses came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 – their first-ever win in the knockout stages of the World Cup – and sealed a Saturday showdown with hosts Canada in Vancouver.

Solveig Gulbrandsen nodded the Scandinavians ahead early in the second half, but England responded with a header from captain Steph Houghton and a thunderous 25-yard effort by right-back Lucy Bronze.

Cardiff-born head coach Mark Sampson has earned plenty of plaudits for his tactical nous out in Canada but goalkeeping coach Lee Kendall – born in Newport and raised in Blackwood – must also take a lot of credit for the team’s success.

England number one Karen Bardsley was named player of the match after making a string of important saves against the Norwegians.

And the team conceded only one goal in their 10 qualifying matches for Canada 2015 – sealing qualification with a 4-0 win over Wales in Cardiff in August last year.

The 34-year-old is the son of late Newport County goalkeeper Mark Kendall, who died in 2008.

He followed in his father’s footsteps and chose a life between the sticks, enjoying spells at Crystal Palace and Cardiff City.

A back injury cut short his professional playing career aged just 23 and Kendall played in the Welsh Premier League until 2012 while pursuing a coaching career.

Kendall explained: "I always had ambitions of being a coach but never thought too much about it when I was playing.

"But when my dad passed away that gave me the kick up the backside I needed.

"I went back to university and Osian Roberts gave me my first chance as a part-time coach with Wales under-16s in the Victory Shield.

“I will be forever grateful to him. And Martyn Margetson [goalkeeping coach] at Cardiff really helped me,” he told the FA.com.

“He knew what I went through when I lost my dad. It was tough. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life but he directed me towards coaching.

"Coaching is now my life. It’s how I provide for my wife and kids, and to be involved in a tournament like this on a world stage is a one in a million thing for me."

Kendall coached keepers at Sheffield United, Cardiff and Bristol City before the call came from The FA in January last year.

“Working with Mark has made me a better coach because he is always striving to be better and looking for different ways to improve things,” he added.

“We have worked so hard as a group of staff and players. Now we want to make it all worthwhile.”