Scotland Women secure 4-0 victory over Czech Republic at Peffermill

Scotland women kick started their final summer preparations for the upcoming European Championship with a 4-0 win, in the first of two games this weekend, against the Czech Republic at Peffermill, in Edinburgh.

It was a tentative start from both sides with neither team being able to take control of the early possession. Once Scotland missed the chance to convert from a congested Czech circle the visitors seem to settle, with some smart offence forcing Amy Gibson into making two fantastic saves to keep things level early on. With the first quarter entering its closing stages the hosts started to find their confidence, as they began to apply more pressure on the Czech defence, with Lunjika Nyirenda and Bronwyn Shields coming close to finding the back of the net.

Scotland continued to build on that confidence in the second quarter, as they controlled a large share of the early possession, and were starting to create more chances. They nearly broke down the stern Czech defence from a penalty corner, with Amy Costello firing just wide of the bottom left of the goal from the top of the circle. Nyirenda came close again, this time controlling a driven pass into the circle and with her back to goal she hit the ball on the half turn, only to be denied by the Barbora Cechakova again. Moments later Cechakova denied Costello again from another short corner, as the hosts started to rain shots down on the Czech’s goal.

Early in the third quarter Scotland got a flurry of chances, and from a penalty corner Costello was finally able to get her goal, and give the hosts the lead. Scotland didn’t rest on their lead and quickly went back to piling on the pressure on their opponent’s goal, with Costello forcing another fine save out of Cechakova from close range after some quick stick work gave her room, in the middle of the circle, to get the shot off.

With four minutes left in the third, Costello doubled the lead for Scotland as another short corner allowed her to send the ball flying into the Czech goal. The visitors nearly pulled on back instantly, as Natalie Novakova latched on to a loose ball and her reserve stick shot forced substitute goalkeeper, Jess Buchanan into a quick save to preserve the two-goal lead.

Early in the fourth Scotland scored their third of the day, this time from Fiona Burnet, who was quickest to react to the rebound off of Sophie Hinds saved effort. Even with the win all but secured the hosts continued to push for more goals with several chances doming close midway through the fourth period.

The fourth goal eventually came as Jess Ross was fastest to react in the circle to covert the rebound off of a Nyirenda short corner effort, lifting the ball over the Czech players in the way. The visitors still showed resiliency in the fourth period, as they still tried to find a consolation goal, but Scotland stood firm as they secured a strong victory and clean sheet ahead of Sunday’s game against the same opponents.

Tickets for Sunday’s game are available HERE.

 

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top