Scots bounce back with solid win over Wales

Scotland women confidently beat Wales 5-0 this morning in the Investec London Cup, a solid performance from the whole team.

The heavens had opened on the Lee Valley National Hockey and Tennis venue this morning but that didn’t hinder either side’s performance. In the first half both sides played well and after some great attempts on goal from Nikki Kidd, Cat Ralph gave Scotland the lead with a straight strike from the top of the D. Scotland remained strong as the Welsh attacked and caught Scotland off guard with a penalty corner just before half time after a feisty tackle in the D. Amy Gibson denying the Welsh any opportunity for a goal before half time.

SCO v WAL Investec CR

(Cat Ralph celebrating scoring Scotland first goal. Photo taken by Ady Kerry)

The rain kept pouring but that didn’t dampen spirts as the Scots came thundering out in the second half. They had multiple penalty corners in which Scotland scored their second goal, Nikki Lloyd slotting the ball between the keepers legs making it 2-0.

Wales were defending well and keeper Ria Male was forced to make some fine saves but after heavy pressuring from the Scots they got their third from Vikki Bunce. On a third penalty corner we were awarded penalty stroke after a defender stopping the ball on the line with a foot, Bunce stepped up and calmly slotted it away giving the Scots the lead 4-0.

Scotland dominated play, moving the ball well in midfield and it wasn’t long till they were rewarded for their hard efforts. A  brilliant run by Ailsa Wyllie led to a shot by Ali Bell with Wyllie slotting the ball home from the rebound to finish it 5-0.

SCO v WAL Investec celebrate

(Scotland women celebrate Nikki Lloyds goal. Photo taken by Ady Kerry)

Dundee Wanderers player Vikki Bunce; ‘It was great first half performance and we needed to be patient in the second half and the goals came, it took us a while but we got there.’

Head coach Gordon Shepherd couldn’t have been more pleased with the performance of the team;

‘The performance was brilliant from the very start, only thing missing was the goals. We changed a few things at half time to make sure we got the goals and it worked. The score line is nice but I am more delighted with the performance as that matters.

‘The pitch had slowed down due to the rain but we didn’t struggle to get the ball out it just meant that the defending team got closer when closing the ball down. I was happy in the second half as we didn’t get any penalty corners in the first. We talked about penalty corners at half time and we managed to secure more in the second had and even got a flick from one which we converted.

‘Tomorrow will be a great opportunity to play England on their own pitch, its great preparations for the Commonwealth Games so I am really looking forward to it.’

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