U-18 GIRLS v SCOTLAND
Wrexham (WAL) 22nd – 24th April 2011
Day 1: Friday 22nd April 2011
Glyndwr University Wrexham hosted the opening test between Wales U18 Girls vs. Scotland U18 girls. Wales got off to a promising start, with a very even tempered first half display. Early into the game saw a fast, aggressive Scottish team against a more measured Welsh play. Wales weathered the pressure of the Scots, with several penalty corner attempts from them. However, Wales were unlucky not to take the lead when awarded a penalty corner in the 17'. Captain Jo Westwood got an early shot away and found forward Nakita James who got a touch on the ball, only to hit the cross bar. Late in the first half, with three minutes remaining on the clock; Scotland was awarded with their own penalty corner. Scotland had a great shot on target with a very good save from Welsh goalkeeper Amie Richards. However Wales could not get out of their defending circle. and with Scotland continuing to apply attacking pressure resulted in them taking a 1-0 lead into half-time.
Scotland began the second half with the fast, aggressive pace we had seen from them during the first half. Within 5' of the second half, the unfortunate carding of Emma Gowman unsettled the Welsh team and Scotland scored twice within the first 6' resulting in them taking a 3 – 0 lead. Wales were determined to get a goal back as they attacked Scotland at pace, with Naomi James deflecting a ball into the back of the goal in 19'. Scotland reacted instantly to the goal, scoring within one minute of the Welsh goal. The game ended with a 1 – 4 win to Scotland, with some promising signs from Wales in the first test. We look forward to the further two tests on Saturday and Sunday.
| 19:30 | Wales U18 Girls | 1 | Scotland | 4 |
Day 2: Saturday 23rd April 2011
The second test of the International test series against Scotland saw Wales take in promising signs from the first encounter. For a hockey neutral this second test would be a very exciting match with plenty of goals. Scotland opened the scoring after 10'. However Wales’ determination was evident as they leveled the game just four minutes later through forward Naomi James. Scotland applied the pressure once again to Wales, taking the lead just eight minutes later from a penalty corner. However Wales’ strength of mind continued. Wales were awarded with a penalty corner just five minutes later. Captain Jo Westwood stood up to the mark and smashed the ball in the back of the goal. The Welsh crowd was uplifted by the determination of Wales with only 30 minutes gone of the game. However a late surge of pressure in the last five minutes of the first half led to two Scottish goals to leave them 4 – 2 ahead at the break.Wales re-gathered their momentum in the second half applying the pressure to Scotland. However a break from Scotland led to a further goal in the 51'. Wales were determined that Scotland would not have the last say, and Eloise Laity completed a fantastic penalty corner move to score in the 63'. The game finished Wales – 3, Scotland 5. However things were looking better by the day for Wales.
| 14:30 | Wales U18 Girls | 3 | Scotland | 5 |
Day 3: Sunday 24th April 2011
The first two encounters had shown promising signs for the Welsh girls. However Wales knew the importance of not just a good performance but of getting the result against Scotland. Wales were even more determined today and ensured that they would come off the pitch with nothing left in the tanks. Wales applied pressure to Scotland from the opening whistle. Ellis Davies matched the physicality of Scotland and was determined to win every 50/50 ball. This effort was rewarded in the 17' when she took Wales into the lead from the penalty corner. This goal gave Wales the will power to get a result and led at half- time 1 – 0.
With the Welsh crowd behind them and the lead, Wales were strong-minded going into the second half. The physicality of the match increased and tempers were raised with a Scottish player being given a green card. Wales capitalised on this and scored through forward Nakita James, to take a 2 – 0 lead. There was no stopping Wales at this point and Phoebe Richards added to the flurry of goals from Wales scoring in the 63' from a penalty corner. Scotland never gave up, scoring a goal to make it 3 – 1. However no one could have stopped the determination of the Welsh players to get a result on the final test. A result is what Wales wanted, and a fantastic result is what we got! Wales 3, Scotland 1.
Scotland won the series 2 – 1. However Wales’ great finish gives the Welsh players confidence before going to the Europeans in Prague in July! On behalf of the Wales U18 Management Team and the Wales U18 team we would like to thank all of the supporters who came to watch us at Glyndwr University.
| 09:30 | Wales U18 Girls | 3 | Scotland | 1 |
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