It was a stunning night for the Ladies who are now top of their qualifying group.

East Anglian Daily Times: Anita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNAnita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

It was a night to remember for England fans as the ladies team thumped to a fantastic win over Kazakhstan in front of a packed home crowd in Colchester.

Over 10,000 tickets were sold for the game at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

For one night only the traditional blue and white of the U’s turned into a sea of red and white as streams of excited England fans welcomed the national side.

Bundled up in coats scarves and gloves, not even a bit of drizzle could dampen the spirits of the home fans who burst into Robbie William’s ‘Let Me Entertain You’ almost as soon as the national anthems had finished.

East Anglian Daily Times: Anita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNAnita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

From the get go the atmosphere proved to be one of anticipation, a crowd hungry for goals and one that reacted to almost every touch of the ball.

Whether it was good or bad – or simply squeals of joy when Jill Scott booted a ball into the stands – the crowd was invested from the first minute to the final whistle.

Many fans had travelled from across the county to be at the game; for some young fans it was their first chance to see their England heroes up close.

One of those youngsters was Ella Varol who plays for Colchester United’s Wildcats team, a programme run by the FA.

East Anglian Daily Times: Anita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNAnita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

Ella said: “It’s really fun. This is my first football game. I’m very excited.”

Another young fan, 10-year-old Mia Lambert who plays for Tiptree Jobserve United’s under 12s side was equally excited about seeing the Lionesses in Colchester.

Mia said before the game: “I am looking forward to when they score, which will be three or four times.”

Build-up had been intense with many big name players including Basildon’s Casey Stoney having to pull out of the game in the last few days leading up to the game.

East Anglian Daily Times: Anita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNAnita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

However, Mo Marley’s side were able to pull together to produce a big performance on the night to the sound of the adoring fans.

Goals from the likes of Fran Kirby, and Melissa Lawley, who scored her debut England goal, made the event a real showstopper for the legion of young fans who had made the trip out into the cold for the night.

At the press conference Mo Marley had hammered home the importance of her side being an inspiration, the crowd’s excitement and belief showed this to be the case.

East Anglian Daily Times: Anita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNAnita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

East Anglian Daily Times: Zoe Frost and Arlen Wilson at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNZoe Frost and Arlen Wilson at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

East Anglian Daily Times: Zoe Frost and Arlen Wilson at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNZoe Frost and Arlen Wilson at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

East Anglian Daily Times: Anita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNAnita and Mia Lambert at the England Ladies v Kazakhstan match. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN