Scotland level Spain series with two goal win

 

Goals from Ali Bell and Emily Maguire provided Scotland Senior Women with a series levelling 2-0 win against Spain at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre today.
With the three match series now all square at 1-1, the deciding match will take place at the same venue tomorrow morning at 11am.
The opening exchanges of the contest failed to produce any clear-cut scoring opportunities, the Scots were comfortable in possession and were knitting together some promising passages of play.
In the 14th minute, a dangerous cross from defender Susan McGilveray forced Spanish goalkeeper Maria Lopez into action, clearing her lines with the Scottish attack ready to pounce on any rebound.
Five minutes later, the home side were awarded two successive penalty corner opportunities, Nikki Kidd working Lopez with low drive from the first attempt, before a collective Spanish rearguard defended the second shot on goal.
Shortly after, the visitors gained a penalty corner for an illegal foot inside the circle. However, Lola Riera was unable to take advantage, blazing her attempt high over the bar and into the stands behind the goal.
In the 26th minute, excellent individual play from Cat Ralph created an opportunity for Sarah Robertson, but the Edinburgh University defender’s attempt was just wide of the target.
Nevertheless, consistent Scottish pressure finally paid off three minutes from half-time, with Ali Bell registering the opening goal with a low drive past Lopez.
Kidd almost doubled her side’s advantage right on half-time, but the Canterbury midfielder’s penalty corner effort was well defended.
Spain should have been back on level terms shortly after the half-time break, but Maria Contardi ballooned her shot high over the bar with the goal at her mercy.
Ailsa Wyllie came close to a second Scotland goal in the 39th minute, her shot from the right hand side of the circle fizzing just wide of the left-hand upright.
Sixty seconds later, Spain sloppily conceded possession deep inside the own half, Emily Maguire latching onto the loose ball to advance into the circle and rattle the ball past Lopez to make it 2-0.
Captain Linda Clement was denied a third goal following Lopez’s block at the back post, before Beatriz Perez shot wide of Amy Gibson’s goal in the 56th minute.
Scotland’s final opportunity to claim a third goal came in the 65th minute, but it wasn’t to be as Bell’s driving run and shot was diverted wide by Lopez.

Goals from Ali Bell and Emily Maguire provided Scotland Senior Women with a series levelling 2-0 win against Spain at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre today.

With the three match series now all square at 1-1, the deciding match will take place at the same venue tomorrow morning at 11am.

Ailsa Wyllie v Spain

(Ailsa Wyllie takes on the Spanish defence. Photo Credit: Andy Laing)

The opening exchanges of the contest failed to produce any clear-cut scoring opportunities, the Scots were comfortable in possession and were knitting together some promising passages of play.

In the 14th minute, a dangerous cross from defender Susan McGilveray forced Spanish goalkeeper Maria Lopez into action, clearing her lines with the Scottish attack ready to pounce on any rebound.

Five minutes later, the home side were awarded two successive penalty corner opportunities, Nikki Kidd working Lopez with low drive from the first attempt, before a collective Spanish rearguard defended the second shot on goal.

Shortly after, the visitors gained a penalty corner for an illegal foot inside the circle. However, Lola Riera was unable to take advantage, blazing her attempt high over the bar and into the stands behind the goal.

In the 26th minute, excellent individual play from Cat Ralph created an opportunity for Sarah Robertson, but the Edinburgh University defender’s attempt was just wide of the target.

Nevertheless, consistent Scottish pressure finally paid off three minutes from half-time, with Ali Bell registering the opening goal with a low drive past Lopez.

Kidd almost doubled her side’s advantage right on half-time, but the Canterbury midfielder’s penalty corner effort was well defended.

Spain should have been back on level terms shortly after the half-time break, but Maria Contardi ballooned her shot high over the bar with the goal at her mercy.

Ailsa Wyllie came close to a second Scotland goal in the 39th minute, her shot from the right hand side of the circle fizzing just wide of the left-hand upright.

Sixty seconds later, Spain sloppily conceded possession deep inside the own half, Emily Maguire latching onto the loose ball to advance into the circle and rattle the ball past Lopez to make it 2-0.

Emily Maguire

(Emily Maguire celebrates her goal against Spain: Photo Credit Andy Laing)

Captain Linda Clement was denied a third goal following Lopez’s block at the back post, before Beatriz Perez shot wide of Amy Gibson’s goal in the 56th minute.

Scotland’s final opportunity to claim a third goal came in the 65th minute, but it wasn’t to be as Bell’s driving run and shot was diverted wide by Lopez.

 

 

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