Victory for Scotland women against Ireland in Belfast

Scotland women ran out 2-1 winners against Ireland in Belfast in the first of a three-match test series. Sarah Jamieson and Fiona Semple provided the goals in an excellent performance as the Tartan Hearts start their campaign building towards the Commonwealth Games and EuroHockey qualifiers this summer.

Scotland came out fast and played with an impressive tempo, causing the home side a lot of problems.

When Sarah Jamieson found the net it gave the visitors a deserved lead and the strike came in the opening quarter. Sarah Robertson showed tremendous skill to beat two players and unleash an effort at goal, it was going wide but Jamieson was in the right place at the right time put the shot into the net for 1-0.

The second quarter saw Scotland go 2-0 ahead and it came from Scotland’s excellent press. The ball was won high up the pitch by Fiona Burnet, who picked out Katie Robertson on the baseline and she found Fiona Semple who finished off a delightful three pass move for 2-0.

In the third quarter Scotland could have gone 3-0 ahead through an unbelievable five pass move down the left but the final shot across goal evaded the goal.

Heather McEwan was also denied by a sensational double save to keep the score at 2-0.

At the other end of the pitch Jess Buchanan and Nicola Cochrane both pulled off excellent penalty corner saves low to their left to keep Ireland out in the second half.

Towards the end of the contest Scotland slowed down and with five minutes to go Ireland found the net, but there would be no further goals and it was a solid 2-1 win for the Scots in Belfast.

Head Coach Chris Duncan said, “It’s a pleasing start for us. We came out with an exciting attacking style and our commitment in defending was as good as I’ve ever seen from the squad. Our first half performance in particular was excellent and we could have scored more. We slowed down in the second half, so we know we can build on that, but all-in-all it’s a great start and a good platform to build on.”

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