Scotland U21 Women experience narrow loss against Wales

 

A Scotland Development / U21 Women squad were unfortunate to lose by a single goal in a 2-1 loss against Wales at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre today.
The Scots took a second half lead courtesy of Heather Lang’s strike but the visitors hit back with goals from Leah Wilkinson and Phoebe Richards.
The home side started strongly after a surging run from Emma McGregor led to a penalty corner but the Welsh defence were quick to seize on the subsequent set-play blocking the resulting attempt on goal.
Two minutes later, Wales were awarded their first penalty corner opportunity but Scotland goalkeeper Jayne McLaughlin denied Jo Westwood’s low drive with a strong save low to her right.
Welsh striker Phoebe Richards was afforded space to get a shot in on goal in the 12th minute, but her attempt skewed wide of the right hand post.
Towards the end of the first quarter another Scottish penalty corner opportunity led to Fiona Bruce dispatching a powerful shot on target but Rose Thomas in the Wales’ goal thwarted the attempt with a good block.
Richards was again threatening the home defence with strong advance into the circle early in the second quarter, but McLaughlin remained resilient in her defensive duties to deny the subsequent shot reaching the back of the net.
Shortly before half-time, excellent wing-play from Jessica Ross led to her cross finding Waverley Miller unmarked in the circle, but alas for the Scots, her attempt fizzed wide of the post and the two sides still level at 0-0.
Nevertheless, the deadlock was finally broken in the minute before half-time, Heather Lang collecting the ball on the left of the circle and delivering a composed reverse stick shot past Thomas to give Scotland a 1-0 lead.
The away side responded strongly after the interval, winning a penalty corner in the 32nd minute. However, Westwood’s shot was easily mopped up by the Scottish defence.
Claire Hill almost doubled her side’s lead two minutes later, her shot cannoning off the corner of the post and crossbar to the frustration of the Scots.
With back luck still fresh in Scottish minds, Wales delivered a sucker-punch in the 37th minute when Westwood’s penalty corner was neatly deflected by Leah Wilkinson past McLaughlin to put the Welsh back on level terms.
Scotland were awarded a penalty corner late in the third quarter but Bruce’s effort was deflected over the bar much to the relief of the Wales’ defence, before Kat Budd brought the best out of McLaughlin again with a fine save to deny a penalty corner effort.
McLaughlin rose to the occasion once again in the 51st minute, again frustrating Westwood at a short corner set-piece but the Western Wildcats ‘keeper could do nothing to stop Richards claiming the winning goal three minutes from full-time, finishing unchallenged at the back post to give Wales a 2-1 win.

A Scotland Development / U21 Women squad were unfortunate to lose by a single goal in a 2-1 loss against Wales at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre today.

The Scots took a second half lead courtesy of Heather Lang’s strike but the visitors hit back with goals from Leah Wilkinson and Phoebe Richards.

ASC_5318

(Scotland’s Heather Lang gets on the scoresheet for the home side. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

The home side started strongly after a surging run from Emma McGregor led to a penalty corner but the Welsh defence were quick to seize on the subsequent set-play blocking the resulting attempt on goal.

Two minutes later, Wales were awarded their first penalty corner opportunity but Scotland goalkeeper Jayne McLaughlin denied Jo Westwood’s low drive with a strong save low to her right.

Welsh striker Phoebe Richards was afforded space to get a shot in on goal in the 12th minute, but her attempt skewed wide of the right hand post.

Towards the end of the first quarter another Scottish penalty corner opportunity led to Fiona Bruce dispatching a powerful shot on target but Rose Thomas in the Wales’ goal thwarted the attempt with a good block.

ASC_5394

(Heather Howie makes in-roads into the Welsh defence during today’s international. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

Richards was again threatening the home defence with strong advance into the circle early in the second quarter, but McLaughlin remained resilient in her defensive duties to deny the subsequent shot reaching the back of the net.

Shortly before half-time, excellent wing-play from Jessica Ross led to her cross finding Waverley Miller unmarked in the circle, but alas for the Scots, her attempt fizzed wide of the post and the two sides still level at 0-0.

Nevertheless, the deadlock was finally broken in the minute before half-time, Heather Lang collecting the ball on the left of the circle and delivering a composed reverse stick shot past Thomas to give Scotland a 1-0 lead.

The away side responded strongly after the interval, winning a penalty corner in the 32nd minute. However, Westwood’s shot was easily mopped up by the Scottish defence.

Claire Hill almost doubled her side’s lead two minutes later, her shot cannoning off the corner of the post and crossbar to the frustration of the Scots.

With back luck still fresh in Scottish minds, Wales delivered a sucker-punch in the 37th minute when Westwood’s penalty corner was neatly deflected by Leah Wilkinson past McLaughlin to put the Welsh back on level terms.

Scotland were awarded a penalty corner late in the third quarter but Bruce’s effort was deflected over the bar much to the relief of the Wales’ defence, before Kat Budd brought the best out of McLaughlin again with a fine save to deny a penalty corner effort.

ASC_5423

(Leah Wilkinson puts Wales back on level terms. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

McLaughlin rose to the occasion once again in the 51st minute, again frustrating Westwood at a short corner set-piece but the Western Wildcats ‘keeper could do nothing to stop Richards claiming the winning goal three minutes from full-time, finishing unchallenged at the back post to give Wales a 2-1 win.

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top