JUNIOR CELTIC CUP - U21 WOMEN
Edinburgh (SCO), 27th - 29th June 2008
Day 1: Friday 27th June 2008
| 11:00 | Ireland | 2 | France | 1 |
| 15:00 | Scotland | 4 | Wales | 1 |
Wales started brightly on the attack with Emma Batten and Sarah Richards working to create the first opportunity. Scotland also started well and were awarded a penalty corner in the 4th minute. A bouncing first strike eluded the Welsh defence and Scotland took the lead. The next fifteen minutes saw both teams attack but neither were able to create any goal scoring opportunities. In the 20th minute Scotland hit the Welsh post and the ball bounced back out coming off a defender's stick and off the back line. A penalty stroke was awarded but Angela Ninian in goal saved the flick and kept the score at 1-0. The Scots continued to pile on the pressure. Hannah Richardson was on the receiving end of a flying ball and when play resumed, Scotland scored their 2nd from open play in the 28th minute.
The 2nd half saw both teams start with the intention of scoring and following the Scottish 3rd goal, scored from a hit outside the D, the Welsh came close with a similar move. Whilst trying to advance up the pitch the Scots turned the ball over and scored their 4th on the counter attack. Determined not to let the Scots have another goal, fast flowing play from Sianne Robinson and Emma Batten lead to Wales pulling one back as Batten put the ball in the net. This gave Wales the momentum to stay high up the pitch and for the next ten minutes the possession was all Wales'. Sophie Robinson's spectacular high shot was deflected over the bar by the Scottish keeper and as the clock ran down the Welsh fight back proved too little, too late. Final score 4-1.
Wales showed in patches how capable they are but full concentration, making the right choices at crucial times and improved communication are all needed when the Welsh take on the Irish in their next match.
Merijn van Willigen, head coach said "This was a real wake-up call to the squad, who needed to get to grips with the pace of international hockey. In fairness to the girls though, they responded well and improved throughout the game. It's a good starting point for progress that needs to come".
Day 2: Saturday 28th June 2008
| 10:00 | Wales | 1 | Ireland | 2 |
| 14:00 | Scotland | 1 | France | 0 |
Wales started their second day early for their match v Ireland. With ground to make up from the previous day's performance, Wales warmed up with intensity and confidence and hit the ground running when the whistle blew. In the third minute, Wales countered attacked with Sarah Richards coming close to opening the scoring. The game was end to end and following a crucial save from Angela Ninian, Wales countered down the left hand side with Elin Thomas sending the ball to Sophie Robinson who drove into the D and passed to Becky Slater on the back post to slot the ball home and give Wales a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. Defensively, Angharad Griffiths and Alys Brooks helped Wales to deny Ireland the equaliser before half time. They held tight in the last minute of the half to nullify an Irish penalty corner.
The second half saw Ireland equalise within 3 minutes with another goal slotted in at the back post. Wales endeavoured to get the lead back but a swift Irish move gave them to opportunity to score their second goal when Wales didn't clear their lines. Ireland played the game and restricted the Welsh play as they defended their lead. With 4 minutes to go Wales were awarded a penalty corner but were unable to convert. Final Score 2-1 to Ireland.
Progress from yesterday was clear to see and the first half performance, against an Championship division team, showed what can be achieved. Tomorrow's game will be key, as it replicates the first match of the Europeans in a month's time. Knowing how to restrict the opposition's chances and close out a game when we have the lead are key objectives for the final game of the tournament.
Coach, Merijn van Willigen quoted "A disappointing result in a much better game. The girls met the challenge head on and improved their defensive play in advanced areas. Now we need to work hard at our ability to defend in the final 3rd of the pitch".
Day 3: Sunday 29th June 2008
| 10:00 | France | 1 | Wales | 2 |
| 14:00 | Scotland | 1 | Ireland | 1 |
In their final game of the tournament, the welsh girls were out to take 3 points from the French and finish the competition as they wish they'd started it. Another early game gave them the opportunity for a thorough and uninterrupted warm-up. Wales' first chance came in the 3rd minute as Hannah Richardson sent the ball out of defence to Emma Batten who in turn passed to Sarah Richards. Richards was unable to convert the chance but it gave Wales the impetus to drive forward. Despite the desire the Welsh were unable to keep possession and allowed the French to pen them into channels. In the 18th minute a 2nd phase play from a French hit outside the D deflected off Angharad Griffiths' leg and a penalty stroke was awarded. Ninian in goal, once again took the upper hand and saved the stroke, deflecting the ball round the post. Wales were awarded a penalty corner before the half was out, but their strike was deflected over the bar. Batten, up front, had the opportunity to round the keeper and open the scoring but the keeper smothered the ball and the half time score remained 0-0.
Wales had a poor start to the 2nd half after Richardson was hit in the head with the ball. France put pressure on and were awarded 3 penalty corners. France opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a goal in open play. Still playing on the back foot it was hard to see how the welsh girls were going to get back into the game. With 10 minutes to go and nothing to lose the girls were reminded of the hard work they'd put in over the previous months and when Batten picked the ball up on the right she drove with pace at the French defence, slipped the ball to Richards whose deflection set the ball up for Sophie Robinson to slam the ball home. With minutes left to play and renewed enthusiasm from both players and supporters, Wales had to defend 3 penalty corners before being awarded a penalty stroke when a French player used the back of her stick in the circle. Robinson stepped up to take the flick and duly dispatched it into the bottom right corner. Score now 2-1 to Wales. With 5 minutes left to play the girls were able to run the clock down and take the 3 points. The players deserve credit for grinding out the result and taking the win from a losing position.
The tournament as a whole will stand the players in good stead for the Europeans in a month's time. Improved levels of fitness, increased practice of set plays and greater understanding of patterns of play will all be needed before the team head out to Prague.
"The girls showed great grit and determination to grind out a result, but structurally this was a poor game. Our turnover rate was far too high, and we need to work on our ability to come out of congested areas if we are to be successful. The training camp in Wrexham will be crucial in terms of improving in key areas and getting us ready for the European Championships in July".
Final Positions
1st: Scotland
2nd: Ireland
3rd: Wales
4th: France
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