South Africa clinch test series against Scotland

 

Scotland Senior Women find themselves 3-0 down, and South Africa in an unassailable position, in the five-test series after a 4-0 defeat at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria today.
Two goals for Celia Evans, and strikes from debutant Toni Marks and Kathleen Taylor gave the South Africans their third victory on the trot, although the final scoreline did not tell the entire story of the match, as Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd outlined,
“To be one nil down at half-time was a harsh reward for an excellent first period with some nice passing passages of play and good solid, organised defending, particularly at two penalty corners.
“The players put in an amazing effort today, where the heat took its toll in the end. It was one of those games where the score doesn’t tell the full story.”
A solid opening period by the Scots saw Nicki Cochrane called into action only once in the first twenty minutes, making a save low down at her right hand post and responding immediately to rush out and kick clear the danger.
In the 23rd minute, midfielder Amy Brodie had a half chance saved, before a series of three penalty corners for the away side ended with Aileen Davis’ effort being turned around the post.
Frustration continued for the Scots in the 31st minute as Sam Judge crossed to Ali Howie, whose attempt on goal was just out of reach of a diving Ailsa Wylie.
It was therefore a sucker punch for Scotland when, a minute before half-time, they failed to clear their lines on the left and the ball was quickly moved to the far post where Celia Evans stroked the ball into the left hand corner to give South Africa a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes after the interval, Sarah Robertson was afforded a gilt-edged opportunity to secure an equalising goal but the Edinburgh University midfielder missed the target.
South Africa were then correctly denied a goal in the 39th minute after the two umpires overturned the initial decision to chalk off the strike, while Cochrane kept her side the in the contest with a full-length diving save to prevent a reverse stick shot finding the top right hand corner.
Vikki Bunce produced a mazy run towards goal in the 47th minute but the final shot did not match the excellent build-up play as the ball was driven wide of the goal.
Controversy ensued four minutes later when the umpire awarded a long corner to the home side when it did not cross the baseline. This resulted in a penalty corner being awarded, which was drilled towards the left post for the on-rushing Toni Marks to deflect the ball past Cochrane to double her side’s advantage.
The game was put beyond Shepherd’s charges in the 55rd minute as the national side failed to clear their lines, and Evans was on hand once again to fire the ball past Cochrane to make it 3-0.
With heat taking its toll, Scotland continued to fight hard and their collective spirit was demonstrated by two block challenges by both Kareena Marshall and Cat Ralph to deny South Africa.
However, South Africa clinched the match, and the series, two minutes from time when Kathleen Turner was on hand to turn home a fourth goal after Cochrane had parried a shot from the top of the circle.

Scotland Senior Women find themselves 3-0 down, and South Africa in an unassailable position, in the five-test series after a 4-0 defeat at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria today.

Two goals for Celia Evans, and strikes from debutant Toni Marks and Kathleen Taylor gave the South Africans their third victory on the trot, although the final scoreline did not tell the entire story of the match, as Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd outlined,

“To be one nil down at half-time was a harsh reward for an excellent first period with some nice passing passages of play and good solid, organised defending, particularly at two penalty corners.

“The players put in an amazing effort today, where the heat took its toll in the end. It was one of those games where the score doesn’t tell the full story.”

Scotland v Sa

(Scotland’s Aileen Davis fires the ball into the dangerzone)

A solid opening period by the Scots saw Nicki Cochrane called into action only once in the first twenty minutes, making a save low down at her right hand post and responding immediately to rush out and kick clear the danger.

In the 23rd minute, midfielder Amy Brodie had a half chance saved, before a series of three penalty corners for the away side ended with Aileen Davis’ effort being turned around the post.

Frustration continued for the Scots in the 31st minute as Sam Judge crossed to Ali Howie, whose attempt on goal was just out of reach of a diving Ailsa Wylie.

Sam Judge v SA

(Sam Judge competes for the ball against South Africa)

It was therefore a sucker punch for Scotland when, a minute before half-time, they failed to clear their lines on the left and the ball was quickly moved to the far post where Celia Evans stroked the ball into the left hand corner to give South Africa a 1-0 lead.

Two minutes after the interval, Sarah Robertson was afforded a gilt-edged opportunity to secure an equalising goal but the Edinburgh University midfielder missed the target.

South Africa were then correctly denied a goal in the 39th minute after the two umpires overturned the initial decision to chalk off the strike, while Cochrane kept her side the in the contest with a full-length diving save to prevent a reverse stick shot finding the top right hand corner.

Vikki Bunce produced a mazy run towards goal in the 47th minute but the final shot did not match the excellent build-up play as the ball was driven wide of the goal.

Vikki Bunce v SA

(Vikki Bunce strikes at attempt on goal.)

Controversy ensued four minutes later when the umpire awarded a long corner to the home side when it did not cross the baseline. This resulted in a penalty corner being awarded, which was drilled towards the left post for the on-rushing Toni Marks to deflect the ball past Cochrane to double her side’s advantage.

The game was put beyond Shepherd’s charges in the 55rd minute as the national side failed to clear their lines, and Evans was on hand once again to fire the ball past Cochrane to make it 3-0.

With heat taking its toll, Scotland continued to fight hard and their collective spirit was demonstrated by two block challenges by both Kareena Marshall and Cat Ralph to deny South Africa.

However, South Africa clinched the match, and the series, two minutes from time when Kathleen Turner was on hand to turn home a fourth goal after Cochrane had parried a shot from the top of the circle.

All Photo Credits: Reg Caledcott

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