Lydia Bedford has been announced as Brentford Under-18s head coach in a landmark appointment. Bedford has left her position as assistant boss with Arsenal’s women team to become the first female coach to take the reins at a men’s professional side in England. The former Leicester manager is set to work alongside Jon-Paul Pittman, who will join as assistant coach from Forest Green. Brentford director of football Phil Giles said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve managed to attract such talented coaches as Lydia and Jon-Paul to our under-18 team for next year. “We undertook an extensive recruitment process for these roles. Lydia and Jon-Paul were the two best candidates, and thankfully we were able to finalise their recruitment to the staff. “I’m sure they will excel, and we all look forward to working with them through pre-season and beyond.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Ireland crashed out of the Women’s World Cup after Canada came from behind to beat them 2-1 on Wednesday. Spain and Japan reached the last 16 with a game to spare. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at all of Wednesday’s action. Spain cruise into last 16 Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo scored twice as Spain thumped Zambia 5-0 to reach the last 16. One of the tournament favourites made the knockout stages with a game to spare having already beaten Costa Rica in their first match. Teresa Abelleira opened the scoring before Hermoso and Redondo took charge as Spain eased to victory. Japan ease past Costa Rica Japan also qualified for the last 16 with a routine win over Costa Rica. Quickfire first-half goals from Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino saw the 2011 champions through. Japan and Spain will battle it out for top spot in their final Group C game when they face each other on Monday. Canada fight back to break Irish hearts Ireland bowed out of the tournament after Canada came from behind to win in Group B. Captain Katie McCabe gave Ireland the lead when she scored straight from a corner after just four minutes. Megan Connolly’s own goal levelled just before half-time and Adriana Leon grabbed Canada’s winner eight minutes after the break. Picture of the day Post of the day Quote of the day I'm just heartbroken for the girls because of how we played. I'm just heartbroken Ireland captain Katie McCabe Up next Group E: USA v Netherlands (2am, Wellington Regional Stadium)Group E: Portugal v Vietnam (830am, Waikato Stadium)Group B: Australia v Nigeria (11am, Brisbane Stadium) Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Tottenham owner Joe Lewis indicted in the US for ‘brazen insider trading scheme’ 5 talking points ahead of England’s final Ashes Test against Australia From colouring zones to custom coffees – Inside England’s World Cup base

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