South Africa set-back for Scotland Women

 

FT: Scotland (Kidd 35′, Cram 56′) 2-5 South Africa (Madsen 4′, Coetzee 15′, 34′, Bright 24′, 63′)
Scotland Women went 2-1 down in the four match international series against South Africa following a 5-2 defeat at Peffermill earlier today.
A dominant first half display from the South Africans, including goals for Kelly Madsen, Tarryn Bright, and a double for Pietie Coetzee, was the difference between the two sides. There was a beacon of hope when Nikki Kidd and Holly Cram pulled the score back to 4-2, but Bright’s second goal of the game ensured the visitors closed out the contest.
It was the home side who engineered the first opportunity when Ali Bell found herself in a one-on-one situation with South African goalkeeper Sanani Mangisa. The shot-stopper was alert to the Grove Menzieshill striker’s intentions though and thrust out a strong stop with her stick to clear the ball as Bell tried to round her.
The visitors responded to Scotland’s early overtures with the opening goal in the fourth minute. Clever play by Kelly Madsen enabled the midfielder to create space inside the circle, where she dispatched a low shot into the corner past Scotland goalkeeper Amy Gibson for a 1-0 lead.
South Africa continued to pile pressure on the Scottish defence in the opening exchanges and create chances; a great save from Gibson with an outstretched stick denied Shelley Russell, a crucial interception was made by Cat Ralph as Pietie Coetzee lurked at the back post ready to take advantage of a dangerous cross from the right, and Gibson was called upon again to make a good stop from Jade Mayne’s hit.
However, they were not to be denied a second goal for much longer and in the 14th minute, South Africa were awarded a penalty corner for a foul on Madsen. Coetzee stepped up to rattle home another drag-flick from the set-piece and double the advantage to 2-0.
A minute later, a fantastic save from Gibson denied Coetzee from another penalty corner and the Milne Craig Clydesdale Western goalie followed up with a fine block from Madsen to keep the scoreline at 2-0.
Scotland responded by creating two opportunities; in the 19th minute there was a great attempt by Holly Cram to deflect Susan McGilveray’s pass on target but Mangisa produced a fine save to deny the Scots, while in the 22nd minute good play from debutant Kirstin McIntosh and Nicola Skrastin found Ailsa Wyllie in the circle but again Mangisa was off her line early to close the shot down.
In the 24th minute, the game was effectively put beyond Scotland when Tarryn Bright extended the lead to 3-0 with a low drive into the right hand corner of the goal from a penalty corner.
With the first half coming to a close, there were two goals from penalty corners. In the 34th minute, Coetzee demonstrated her class once again with a fine drag-flick that found the left hand corner of the goal, before Nikki Kidd pulled one back for the Scots right on the half-time hooter with an excellent drag-flick to give the Scots some hope as the teams went into half-time with South Africa 4-1 up.
Following half-time, Mayne had an early second half opportunity for the visiting side but her snap-shot was blocked by Gibson. Chances also fell for Dirkie Chamberlain and Quanita Bobbs before Gibson denied Mayne again with a brilliant save to stop her reverse-stick flick finding the top corner of the goal.
Amy Brodie then had two chances in the space of four minutes to find a second Scotland goal; the first, a great ball from Vikki Bunce to play in the CALA Edinburgh midfielder inside the right of the circle but the subsequent shot was off-target, the second was the result of Kidd and Bunce working an excellent exchange of passes to Brodie but her stick deflection was easily saved by Mangisa.
Nevertheless, the national side continued to pressure their opponents and were rewarded when Ali Howie was fouled to present a penalty corner chance in the 56th minute.
An excellent Scottish set-play saw Cram inject the ball to find Bunce, who returned the pass to her team-mate and she reduced the deficit to two goals with a smart finish past Mangisa.
Despite a much improved second half performance, Scottish hopes of a great comeback were dashed in the 63rd minute when Bright got her second goal of the game with a deft flick past Gibson to give the South Africans a 5-2 win and put them 2-1 up in the series.

FT: Scotland (Kidd 35′, Cram 56′) 2-5 South Africa (Madsen 4′, Coetzee 15′, 34′, Bright 24′, 63′)

Scotland Women went 2-1 down in the four match international series against South Africa following a 5-2 defeat at Peffermill earlier today.

A dominant first half display from the South Africans, including goals for Kelly Madsen, Tarryn Bright, and a double for Pietie Coetzee, was the difference between the two sides. There was a beacon of hope when Nikki Kidd and Holly Cram pulled the score back to 4-2, but Bright’s second goal of the game ensured the visitors closed out the contest.

It was the home side who engineered the first opportunity when Ali Bell found herself in a one-on-one situation with South African goalkeeper Sanani Mangisa. The shot-stopper was alert to the Grove Menzieshill striker’s intentions though and thrust out a strong stop with her stick to clear the ball as Bell tried to round her.

The visitors responded to Scotland’s early overtures with the opening goal in the fourth minute. Clever play by Kelly Madsen enabled the midfielder to create space inside the circle, where she dispatched a low shot into the corner past Scotland goalkeeper Amy Gibson for a 1-0 lead.

South Africa continued to pile pressure on the Scottish defence in the opening exchanges and create chances; a great save from Gibson with an outstretched stick denied Shelley Russell, a crucial interception was made by Cat Ralph as Pietie Coetzee lurked at the back post ready to take advantage of a dangerous cross from the right, and Gibson was called upon again to make a good stop from Jade Mayne’s hit.

However, they were not to be denied a second goal for much longer and in the 14th minute, South Africa were awarded a penalty corner for a foul on Madsen. Coetzee stepped up to rattle home another drag-flick from the set-piece and double the advantage to 2-0.

A minute later, a fantastic save from Gibson denied Coetzee from another penalty corner and the Milne Craig Clydesdale Western goalie followed up with a fine block from Madsen to keep the scoreline at 2-0.

Scotland responded by creating two opportunities; in the 19th minute there was a great attempt by Holly Cram to deflect Susan McGilveray’s pass on target but Mangisa produced a fine save to deny the Scots, while in the 22nd minute good play from debutant Kirsten McIntosh and Nicola Skrastin found Ailsa Wyllie in the circle but again Mangisa was off her line early to close the shot down.

In the 24th minute, the game was effectively put beyond Scotland when Tarryn Bright extended the lead to 3-0 with a low drive into the right hand corner of the goal from a penalty corner.

With the first half coming to a close, there were two goals from penalty corners. In the 34th minute, Coetzee demonstrated her class once again with a fine drag-flick that found the left hand corner of the goal, before Nikki Kidd pulled one back for Gordon Shepherd’s side right on the half-time hooter with an excellent strike to give the Scots some hope as the teams went into half-time with South Africa 4-1 up.

Following the re-start, Mayne had an early second half opportunity for the visiting side but her snap-shot was blocked by Gibson. Chances also fell for Dirkie Chamberlain and Quanita Bobbs before Gibson denied Mayne again with a brilliant save to stop her reverse-stick flick finding the top corner of the goal.

Amy Brodie then had two chances in the space of four minutes to find a second Scotland goal; the first, a great ball from Vikki Bunce to play in the CALA Edinburgh midfielder inside the right of the circle but the subsequent shot was off-target, the second was the result of Kidd and Bunce working an excellent exchange of passes to Brodie but her stick deflection was easily saved by Mangisa.

Nevertheless, the national side continued to pressure their opponents and were rewarded when Ali Howie was fouled to present a penalty corner chance in the 56th minute.

An excellent Scottish set-play saw Cram inject the ball to find Bunce, who returned the pass to her team-mate and she reduced the deficit to two goals with a smart finish past Mangisa.

Despite a much improved second half performance, hopes of a great Scottish comeback were dashed in the 63rd minute when Bright got her second goal of the game with a deft flick past Gibson to give the South Africans a 5-2 win and put them 2-1 up in the series.

The two sides will play the final match of the series on Tuesday (7pm) at Peffermill.

Scotland Women: Amy Gibson, Nicki Cochrane, Vikki Bunce, Ali Bell, Cat Ralph, Sam Judge, Holly Cram, Ailsa Wyllie, Kareena Marshall, Becky Merchant, Nikki Kidd, Susan McGilveray, Ali Howie, Nicola Skrastin, Amy Brodie, Sarah Robertson, Morag McLellan, Kirsten McIntosh.

 

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