Lloyd on the mark to give Scotland narrow win over Japan.

A first half goal from Nikki Lloyd gave Scotland Senior Women a 1-0 win over Japan at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre this evening.

As a result, the Scots take a 1-0 lead in the two match series.

The visitors were presented with a penalty corner opportunity in the fifth minute; Hazuki Nagai’s initial strike was blocked by the home defence, before Scotland goalkeeper Nicki Cochrane dived low to her left to save the forward’s follow-up attempt.

The opening goal came for the Scots in the 12th minute, Karin Belch and Charlotte Watson combining on the right of the goal to set-up a close range opportunity for Nikki Lloyd, who made no mistake from a couple of yards out.

A minute from the end of the first quarter, Nagai was again foiled following a penalty corner set-play, her shot saved by Cochrane before an aimless pass from Akiko Kato went harmlessly out of play to relieve pressure on the Scottish defence.

Motomi Kawamura came close to bringing Japan level in the 18th minute, but her reverse stick shot was easily dealt with by Cochrane.

Kana Nomura thought she had equalised shortly after, her drag-flick finding the bottom left hand corner, but umpire Katie Howie correctly disallowed the goal for a Japanese attacker entering the scoring circle before the ball was struck.

Japan started the second half with intent, Mie Nakashima finding space in front of goal only for her snap-shot to be kicked to safety by Cochrane.

Excellent inter-play between Heather Howie, Millie Brown and Lloyd almost engineered a second goal for the hosts, but Japanese shot-stopper Sakiyo Asano was alert enough to beat the ball out of the dangerzone.

Seconds before the end of the third quarter, a combination of Cochrane and desperate Scottish defending repelled two Japanese shots on goal.

Excellent play from Lloyd gave Heather Lang a great opportunity in the 48th minute, but resulting shot on goal was scuffed, leaving the away side’s defence an easy clearance.

Nagai’s penalty corner shot fizzed past Cochrane’s right hand upright four minutes from time, again the Scottish goal leading a charmed existence.

With no further chances, it was Scotland who succeeded with a narrow 1-0 win, putting the home side one up in the two match series.

The two sides meet again tomorrow evening (19.30) at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

 

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