Scotland retain Celtic Cup with single goal win over Ireland

 


A strike from Grove Menzieshill`s Nikki Kidd proved sufficient to
give Scotland the Celtic Cup for the fifth consecutive time with a
hard fought 1-0 victory over Ireland in the final game at
Inverclyde yesterday.

The Scots only needed to avoid defeat to take the trophy, on Friday
evening the Scots had beaten Wales 6-0 while on Saturday the Irish
recorded a five goal win over the Welsh, so the home side had a
slight advantage on goal difference.

This match was coach Gordon Shepherd`s last game before the
Champions Challenge in Dublin later this month, and although
Ireland are not in Scotland`s pool, the two sides could meet again
in the later cross-over matches to decide final placings.

Before the start of hostilities, Grove Menzieshill`s Louise Baxter
led the team on to the field to mark the occasion of her 100th
outing in Scotland colours.

The Irish were perhaps the more lively outfit in the opening
encounters, they were awarded the only penalty corner of the half
in ten minutes but the shot was easily dealt with by Scotland
keeper Abi Walker.  Thereafter the contest descended into a
bit of a stalemate between two sides that know each other so well.
 There were isolated flurries into both circles, but neither
set of forwards were able to put a stick on the ball to create a
scoring opportunity, and with defences in control, it is hardly
surprising the teams turned round goalless at the interval.

The game became even scrappier in the second half, but in 55
minutes the Scots had a real piece of luck, an Irish penalty corner
was well saved by a diving Walker and the rebound shot cannoned off
a post to safety.  Six minutes later the Scots finally broke
the deadlock, at their first set piece Nikki Kidd found the target
with a powerful low drag flick to the keeper`s left.

The goal suddenly opened the contest into an end to end affair, a
move involving Ali Bell and Sam Judge passed the ball on to captain
Linda Clement whose shot went narrowly wide, then Judge`s own shot
at Scotland`s second set piece brought the best out of the Irish
keeper.  In the closing minutes the Irish desperately pressed
for the equaliser and Walker in the Scotland goal was called upon
to put up the shutters.  Her final effort came when the Irish
were awarded a penalty corner in overtime, but the Canterbury
keeper saved comfortably to retain the Celtic Cup in front of the
home crowd.

A strike from Grove Menzieshill`s Nikki Kidd proved sufficient
to give Scotland the Celtic Cup for the fifth consecutive time with
a hard fought 1-0 victory over Ireland in the final game at
Inverclyde.

The Scots only needed to avoid defeat to take the trophy; on
Friday evening the Scots had beaten Wales 6-0, while on Saturday
the Irish recorded a five goal win over the Welsh, so the home side
had a slight advantage on goal difference.

This match was coach Gordon Shepherd`s last game before the
Champions Challenge in Dublin later this month, and although
Ireland are not in Scotland`s pool, the two sides could meet again
in the later cross-over matches to decide final placings.

Before the start of the match, Grove Menzieshill`s Louise Baxter
led the team on to the field to mark the occasion of her 100th
outing in Scotland colours.

The Irish were perhaps the more lively outfit in the opening
encounters, and they were awarded the only penalty corner of the
half in ten minutes but the shot was easily dealt with by Scotland
keeper Abi Walker.  Thereafter the contest descended into a
bit of a stalemate between two sides that know each other so well.
 There were isolated flurries into both circles, but with
defences in control, it is hardly surprising the teams turned round
goalless at the interval.

The game became even scrappier in the second half, but in 55
minutes the Scots had a real piece of luck, an Irish penalty corner
was well saved by a diving Walker and the rebound shot cannoned off
a post to safety.  Six minutes later the Scots finally broke
the deadlock, at their first set piece Nikki Kidd found the target
with a powerful low drag flick to the keeper`s left.

The goal suddenly opened the contest into an end to end affair,
a move involving Ali Bell and Sam Judge passed the ball on to
captain Linda Clement whose shot went narrowly wide, then Judge`s
own shot at Scotland`s second set piece brought the best out of the
Irish keeper.  In the closing minutes the Irish desperately
pressed for the equaliser and Walker in the Scotland goal was
called upon to put up the shutters.  Her final effort came
when the Irish were awarded a penalty corner in overtime, but the
Canterbury keeper saved comfortably to retain the Celtic Cup in
front of the home crowd.

 

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