Victory for Scotland women over Wales at Peffermill

A solid 2-0 win over Wales saw Scotland women start the three-match series at Peffermill with a victory through goals by Fiona Burnet and Charlotte Watson.

Scotland was on the front foot from the start with Ava Wadsworth and Fran Lonergan looking good in forward areas. It was good play by Wadsworth that led to Cat Nelli having the opportunity for a goal on her first Scotland appearance, but the ball bounced off her stick at the far post and clear.

Up the other end and a quick Welsh counter was halted by a sensational diving save by Jess Buchanan low to her right post.

Then, a deserved opener for Scotland. Some excellent play down the right by Charlotte Watson saw her pick out Fiona Burnet who swept the ball into the roof of the net for 1-0.

The Scottish pressure continued into the second quarter and Burnet nearly bagged a second goal early doors. Heather McEwan forced her way into the circle and squeezed the ball through a gap for Burnet, but the striker was crowded out.

A short time later Bronwyn Shields had a powerful effort deflected and loop over the Wales goalkeeper Ella Jackson, but an acrobatic dive backwards saw her claw the ball back in the mid air for a spectacular save.

On the stroke of half time the Scots bagged a second. A Rebecca Birch penalty corner effort rebounded nicely for Watson who sunk it into the top left corner for 2-0 at the break.

Wales started the second half well but Scotland coped with the pressure efficiently. Over time, it was Scotland who began to look more dangerous. A sensational turn and shot by Nelli crashed against the upright as Scotland came agonisingly close to a third goal as the end of the quarter approached.

Then in the final quarter Ava Wadsworth fired at goal and was met by a deflection from Burnet that went wide of the right post.

This was quickly followed by another good opportunity for Nelli after Lonergan won the ball and found Burnet, who slid a lovely pass into the path of Nelli, but the final effort fizzed just wide of the right post.

In the end it was a comfortable win for Scotland and they meet again at 3pm at Peffermill tomorrow.

Head Coach Chris Duncan said, “Any win in international hockey is a good win but we could have taken more chances. It was good to see some youngsters come in an perform well at this level. At the same time it’s our first game back after a really busy and big start to the year at the Nations Cup in Chile, so it’s a good win with much to build on.”

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