Honours even between Scotland and Ireland

It was honours even in the first of three international matches between Scotland and Ireland at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre today, a closely fought 1-1 draw the final score between the two sides.
An early Deirdre Duke strike had given the away side the lead in the second minute, but Becky Merchant restored parity to the contest shortly before half-time with a well-taken equaliser.
Following the match, Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “Overall, I’m happy with the result. Either team could have won it but I think a draw was a fair result in the end. The second half performance was much better and gives us encouragement for the next two matches.
“We had an inexperienced squad today, including two new caps, but the youngsters demonstrated their potential and can be happy with the way they played.”
The Scots found themselves on the back foot as early as the second minute when Deirdre Duke was allowed to cut back inside the circle from the baseline into a shooting position, where her subsequent reverse stick shot cracked the backboard to give Ireland a 1-0 lead.
The visitors continued their strong start to the contest by winning a penalty corner in the fourth minute, but Scotland goalkeeper Nikki Cochrane made light work of Megan Frazer’s drag-flick effort to deny the Irish forward.
A penalty corner award in the seventh minute gave the home side their first opportunity on goal, but Rebecca Condie’s shot couldn’t find a way past the oncoming defenders, before the ball was cleared to safety.
Frazer was again denied by Cochrane at the penalty corner set-piece at the mid-point of the first half, before the Edinburgh University ‘keeper denied Katie Mullen from another short corner ten minutes later.
Ireland were left to rue their missed opportunities shortly before the half-time interval when Becky Merchant netted Scotland’s equalising goal in the 32nd minute following a great cross from Fiona Bruce.
A better second half performance from the Scots generated a number of chances for Merchant to register on the scoresheet; her first two attempts were well saved by Ireland goalkeeper Stella Davis, before a fizzing reverse stick attempt narrowly evaded the far post.
Ireland were again repelled by Cochrane’s goalkeeping heroics, with two penalty corner set-plays ending in good saves.
A goalless second half drew to a close with both sides left with the feeling they could have snatched the win, leaving it all to play for in the forthcoming two matches tomorrow and Wednesday.

 

It was honours even in the first of three international matches between Scotland and Ireland at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre today, a closely fought 1-1 draw the final score between the two sides.

An early Deirdre Duke strike had given the away side the lead in the second minute, but Becky Merchant restored parity to the contest shortly before half-time with a well-taken equaliser.

Sco_Ire_ 04

(Scotland Head Coach Gordon Shepherd fielded a relatively inexperienced side against Ireland, including new caps Emily Newlands and Karin Belch. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

Following the match, Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “Overall, I’m happy with the result. Either team could have won it but I think a draw was a fair result in the end. The second half performance was much better and gives us encouragement for the next two matches.

“We had an inexperienced squad today, including two new caps, but the youngsters demonstrated their potential and can be happy with the way they played.”

Sco_Ire_ 11

(Becky Merchant, right, and Fiona Bruce, left celebrate Scotland’s equalising goal. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

The Scots found themselves on the back foot as early as the second minute when Deirdre Duke was allowed to cut back inside the circle from the baseline into a shooting position, where her subsequent reverse stick shot cracked the backboard to give Ireland a 1-0 lead.

The visitors continued their strong start to the contest by winning a penalty corner in the fourth minute, but Scotland goalkeeper Nikki Cochrane made light work of Megan Frazer’s drag-flick effort to deny the Irish forward.

A penalty corner award in the seventh minute gave the home side their first opportunity on goal, but Rebecca Condie’s shot couldn’t find a way past the oncoming defenders, before the ball was cleared to safety.

Frazer was again denied by Cochrane at the penalty corner set-piece at the mid-point of the first half, before the Edinburgh University ‘keeper denied Katie Mullen from another short corner ten minutes later.

Ireland were left to rue their missed opportunities shortly before the half-time interval when Becky Merchant netted Scotland’s equalising goal in the 32nd minute following a great cross from Fiona Bruce.

A better second half performance from the Scots generated a number of chances for Merchant to register again on the scoresheet; her first two attempts were well saved by Ireland goalkeeper Stella Davis, before a fizzing reverse stick attempt narrowly evaded the far post.

Ireland were again repelled by Cochrane’s goalkeeping heroics, with two penalty corner set-plays ending in good saves.

Sco_Ire_ 16

(Scotland goalkeeper Nikki Cochrane makes one of several saves against Ireland. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

A goalless second half drew to a close with both sides left with the feeling they could have snatched the win, leaving it all to play for in the forthcoming two matches tomorrow and Wednesday.

Tomorrow’s match starts at 12pm, while Wednesday’s match starts at 11am.

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