Shepherd praises performance despite defeat in Spain

Scotland women team photo June 2016 Spain women 3, Scotland women 0 (San Vicente del Raspeig in Alicante)

Photos – Gordon Newlands

 

Scotland Women’s Head Coach Gordon Shepherd praised his squad for their performance against Rio-bound Spain, writes Nigel Duncan.

Although positive, the coach rued a number of gilt-edged chances which his players failed to capitalise on in this the third of four games against their hosts in Alicante.

Scotland, who previously lost 3-0 and 2-1, pushed Spain hard, particularly in the second-half of a game played in blistering, lunchtime heat.

Sarah Jamieson (Grove Menzieshill), who earned her first cap earlier in the tour, Heather Howie (Clydesdale Western), who drove hard from the centre of the pitch, and Charlotte Watson (Dundee Wanderers), who had two opportunities, were among players unable to convert chances to goals.

Scotland play their final game today and Shepherd hopes they find the cutting edge against a side heading for the Olympic Games.

He said: “Fitness is not an issue. We are fitter and faster than Spain but, unfortunately, we are not ruthless enough in the D. We are creating chances and if the girls continue to do the things we work on in training then we will start converting these chances.”

 

Scotland women v Spain June 2016Spain led 1-0 after a goal in 12 minutes and the sides were level at the break.

The home side netted following a penalty corner in 41 minutes and again in the final minutes against the run of play.

Shepherd, a Glasgow-based Dundonian, added: “The girls played really well and brilliantly towards the end of the game. Particularly in the second-half, the girls created a number of opportunities but we could not put the ball in the net. We had four corners and four other real chances and if we had taken one we would have put really pressure on the opposition but we will continue to work hard.”

 

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