Scots lose final match at Titwood

Scotland`s women lost the final test match 4-1 to South
Africa at Titwood, but the scoreline flattered the visitors
slightly as the Scots gave as good as they got for most of the
contest.   South Africa have won the five match test
series 4-0 with the first game drawn.

Scotland had an early chance to take the lead, a solo run by
Morag McLellan won a penalty corner, but Leigh Fawcett`s shot went
wide of the target.  Minutes later it took a goal-line save by
Catriona Ralph and then a block by goalkeeper Amy Gibson to the
keep the eager South African forwards at bay.   It was a
fairly even contest in the opening 15 minutes, but South Africa
went a goal up with a set piece strike by Marsha Marescia went low
past Gibson.    The Scots went two behind five
minutes later, the defence failed to clear and Bernadette Coston
was left with simple chance to slot the ball past Gibson.

The Scots rallied from the double setback to pull one back,
Nikki Kidd went on a brilliant solo run which opened up the South
African defence, she released the ball to Edinburgh University`s
Sarah Robertson who fired the ball past the goalkeeper.  
In the closing minutes of the half Ailsa Wyllie set up a glorious
chance to Sam Judge, but the Scotland striker miss-hit the ball and
the goalkeeper comfortably blocked the effort.

Early in the second half Robertson won Scotland a penalty corner
but Kidd`s drag flick was saved by the keeper.   The game
became a midfield stalemate with no real chances to either side,
although Becky Ward sent a shot wide of the South African goal at a
penalty corner.    In 55 minutes Gibson kept the
Scots in the game with a brilliant triple save at a set piece.

Superior fitness finally told in the closing ten minutes as the
London bound South Africans stepped up the pace, they went 3-1
ahead through a low shot by Kate Woods.   The result was
finally sealed with a late strike from Marescia, her goal-bound
shot was deflected off the stick of Kareena Marshall into the roof
of the net for fourth goal.

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top