Narrow loss for Scotland Senior Women in South Africa warm-up

 

Scotland Senior Women played a training match against South Africa earlier today, losing out by a single goal in a 2-1 loss.
Captain Linda Clement was the goalscorer for Scotland.
After the match, Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “It was a positive performance all things considered. South Africa have played twelve internationals so far during their summer against the Netherlands, Australia and Belgium, so they are obviously match sharp. This was our first outdoor match in a considerable time.
“There was also an opportunity to give players such as Jennifer Eadie, Robyn Collins and Heather Elder experience of international matches at this level. I thought the players were great.”
South Africa had the early chances in the match with Scotland goalkeeper Nicki Cochrane making a good reflex save after the ball had been deflected off a home defender following a drive into the Scottish circle.
Cochrane was on hand again in the 21st minute to make a diving stop to her right hand side from a penalty corner, while Linda Clement also charged down a penalty corner attempt in the 26th minute.
Scotland had two chances to take the lead shortly before half-time; Becky Merchant drove the ball into the circle only for Heather Elder’s deflected attempt to go wide of the post before a combination of Vikki Bunce and Ali Howie led to Elder being thwarted by a strong defensive block.
With neither team able to break the deadlock in the first half, it was Scotland who made the first breakthrough in the 44th minute. Good work from Nikki Lloyd on the right led to a cross which Clement neatly swept past the South African ‘keeper to make it 1-0.
However, two minutes later, the home side were back on level terms from a penalty corner set-play, the shot beating Scotland goalkeeper Siobhan Cowie in her left hand corner.
The Scots were nearly back in front when good inter-play between Nicki Skrastin and Clement led to a first Scottish penalty corner. Merchant struck the subsequent penalty corner but a good save denied the Edinburgh University defender.
In the 57th minute, South Africa took the lead; a real melee broke out in front of Cowie in the Scotland circle but despite good blocked efforts from Kareena Marshall and Susan McGilveray, the ball was bundled over the line to make it 2-1.
A strong finish from the national side in the last five minutes saw a combination between Ailsa Wylie and Elder saw the ‘keeper smother the former’s effort, before penalty corner efforts from Merchant and McGilveray being saved.

Scotland Senior Women played a training match against South Africa earlier today, losing out by a single goal in a 2-1 loss.

Scotland Senior Women Captain Linda Clement was the goalscorer for Scotland in a warn-up that saw twenty four players used throughout the match.

After the match, Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “It was a positive performance all things considered. South Africa have played twelve internationals so far during their summer against the Netherlands, Australia and Belgium, so they are obviously match sharp. This was our first outdoor match in a considerable time.

“There was also an opportunity to give players such as Jennifer Eadie, Robyn Collins and Heather Elder experience of international matches at this level. I thought the players were great.”

South Africa had the early chances in the match with Scotland goalkeeper Nicki Cochrane making a good reflex save after the ball had been deflected off a home defender following a drive into the Scottish circle.

Cochrane was on hand again in the 21st minute to make a diving stop to her right hand side from a penalty corner, while Linda Clement also charged down a penalty corner attempt in the 26th minute.

Scotland had two chances to take the lead shortly before half-time; Becky Merchant drove the ball into the circle only for Heather Elder’s deflected attempt to go wide of the post before a combination of Vikki Bunce and Ali Howie led to Elder being thwarted by a strong defensive block.

With neither team able to break the deadlock in the first half, it was Scotland who made the first breakthrough in the 44th minute. Good work from Nikki Lloyd on the right led to a cross which Clement neatly swept past the South African ‘keeper to make it 1-0.

However, two minutes later, the home side were back on level terms from a penalty corner set-play, the shot beating Scotland goalkeeper Siobhan Cowie in her left hand corner.

The Scots were nearly back in front when good inter-play between Nicki Skrastin and Clement led to a first Scottish penalty corner. Merchant struck the subsequent penalty corner but a good save denied the Edinburgh University defender.

In the 57th minute, South Africa took the lead; a real melee broke out in front of Cowie in the Scotland circle but despite good blocked efforts from Kareena Marshall and Susan McGilveray, the ball was bundled over the line to make it 2-1.

A strong finish from the national side in the last five minutes saw a combination between Ailsa Wylie and Elder saw the ‘keeper smother the former’s effort, before penalty corner efforts from Merchant and McGilveray being saved.

 

 

 

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