Preston salvages draw for Scotland girls with last minute strike against Ulster

A strike by Grange and Mary Erskine schoolgirl Lucy
Preston 90 seconds from the final whistle gave Scotland`s girls a
fighting 3-3 draw with Ulster in the opening game of the
Sainsbury`s UK School Games in Sheffield yesterday.
The Scots girls were off the pace in the opening
half as Ulster dominated from the start and took a two goal lead
into half time.   The score could have been higher but for a
series of outstanding saves from Glynhill Kelburne`s goalkeeper
Laurie Kirkland who kept the struggling Scots in the game.
 Scotland`s only reply was a couple of half chances to CALA
Edinburgh`s Amber McNeill and Louise Campbell from Grove
Menzieshill.
After some stern words from coach Mark Ralph during
the interval, the Scots pulled one back within 90 seconds of the
restart, Jenny Eadie`s shot was saved by the Ulster goalkeeper but
Glynhill Kelburne`s Amanda Maxwell followed up to score.   The
Scots youngsters were level within four minutes, Inverleith`s Laura
Page made the running and Maxwell`s shot was blocked by the keeper,
and Preston was on hand to squeeze the ball home.
The game looked lost when Ulster took a 3-2 lead
with only ten minutes left, but Ralph`s charges were not to be
denied in their second half recovery.  Karin Belch picked up a
free hit and passed the ball on to Lara Mowforth, her hit in the
circle was brilliantly converted by a diving deflection from Lucy
Preston for a late share of the points.
“Ulster came out strong right from the start and we
were not really in the game in the first half, but after a few
words at the interval the girls were a much more confident and
relaxed side, and they thoroughly deserved the draw at the end,”
said Ralph.
In the second match of the day Scotland`s boys were
beaten 9-0 by Ulster.

A strike by Lucy Preston a minute from the final whistle
gave Scotland girls a fighting 3-3 draw with Ulster in the opening
game of the Sainsbury`s UK School Games in Sheffield.

Ulster dominated the opening half from the start of the match
and took a two goal lead into half time.  The score could have
been higher but for a series of outstanding saves from goalkeeper
Laurie Kirkland, who kept the Scots in the game. Scotland`s only
reply was a couple of half chances to Amber McNeill and Louise
Campbell.

After some words of encouragement from coach Mark Ralph during
the interval, the Scots pulled one back within 90 seconds of the
restart. Jenny Eadie`s shot was saved by the Ulster goalkeeper but
Amanda Maxwell followed up to score.

The Scots youngsters were level within four minutes. Laura Page
made the running, Maxwell`s shot was blocked by the keeper, but
Preston was on hand to squeeze the ball home.

However, the game looked lost when Ulster took a 3-2 lead with
only ten minutes left, but Ralph`s charges were not to be denied in
their second half recovery.

Karin Belch picked up a free hit and passed the ball on to Lara
Mowforth, her hit in the circle was brilliantly converted by a
diving deflection from Lucy Preston for a late share of the
points.

“Ulster came out strong right from the start and we were not
really in the game in the first half, but after a few words at the
interval the girls were a much more confident and relaxed side, and
they thoroughly deserved the draw at the end,” said Ralph.

In the second match of the day Scotland`s boys were beaten 9-0
by Ulster.

 

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top