Under 21s held again to a draw in Ulster

ULSTER  1  SCOTLAND 1  –  UNDER 21
CHALLENGE MATCH IN BELFAST

Scotland women`s under 21 side kept up their five game unbeaten
run with a 1-1 draw against Ulster in Belfast, part of the build-up
for the European Junior Nations Championships in Russia later this
summer, but it took a last minute strike from Glynhill Kelburne`s
striker Stephanie McInally to stave off defeat.

The Scots youngsters had the lion`s share of the possession but
failed to find the net against a stuffy, and at times destructive,
Ulster defence.  Towards the end of the first half Nicola
Skrastin had her shot saved by the Irish goalkeeper after a good
run and cut-back by Sarah Robertson, and just on the interval a
penalty corner strike from Nikki Mollison was saved on the line by
a defender.

Despite dominating proceedings, the Scots frustration took a
further twist when Ulster took the lead from a set
piece.   The Scots then pounded the Ulster goal in search
of the equaliser, snatch shots from both Robertson and Hazel Hall
were blocked by the goalkeeper.   Then in a three minute
period Lucy Lanigan fired a shot over the goal while a good run and
a reverse stick shot from Mollison rattled the
cross-bar.   The Scots also had five penalty corner
opportunities, but again failed to find the net.

Just when it looked as if Ulster were about to steal a victory
against the run of play, Robertson`s shot was again saved on the
line by a defender, the ball fell to McInally who buried the
rebound with a low shot that deceived the goalkeeper.

“We had a lot of possession but found it difficult to make the
breakthrough.   Ulster played a very defensive and
containing game, but we failed to turn our dominance into goals
until the final minute,” said Dave Stott, Scotland`s coach.


SCOTLAND 12 NORTH u21  0  – UNDER 18 CHALLENGE MATCH AT
AUCHENHOWIE

Four goals from CALA Edinburgh striker Amber McNeill was the
highlight in Scotland`s 12-0 victory over a North of England side
at Auchenhowie.   It was the CALA player who opened the
scoring with a double in the opening ten minutes to set the tone
for the rest of the game.   Before the interval there
were further goals from Emily Watson (Granite City Wanderers),
Sarah Jamieson (Inverleith), Lucy Preston (Grange) and Kirsten
Peters (Watsonians) for a six goal half time lead.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first, Peters kick
started the goal rush when she beat three defenders and rifled the
ball into the net.  McNeill picked up another couple, Jamieson
scored her second and then captain Karin Belch completed the rout
with a late double in the final five minutes.

“We have been working on our finishing over the last month and
it was pleasing that all the hard work has paid off as all the
goals came from open play.   We have some work still to
do, particularly on ball retention, but it was pleasing to put in
such a stirring performance,” said Colin Clarke, Scotland`s
coach.

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