Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.22 2021-22

Wales through to semi finals

Wales 3 Scotland 1
Wales recorded their first senior victory over Scotland since 1996 after a clinical performance
saw them to a 3-1 win in the Pinatar Cup.
Lana Clelland’s well worked opener for Scotland was quickly cancelled out, with Wales
capitalising ruthlessly on some slack moments with three goals between first half injury time
and the hour mark.
Scotland started on the front foot, with a dangerous Caroline Weir cross scrambled to
safety by the Wales defence. Jane Ross was just beaten to the ball by keeper Laura O’Sullivan
after looking to capitalise on a driven delivery from Claire Emslie.
The big worry for Wales came after just fifteen minutes when Hayley Ladd was forced
to leave the field through injury, being replaced by Anna Filbey.
Clelland saw an effort deflected behind but the striker was not to be denied for long. In
first half injury time, a pinpoint cross from the right by Christy Grimshaw found Clelland, who
was equally precise with her header for the opening goal.
Scotland barely had a minute to enjoy the moment as Wales notched a quickfire
leveller. The Scottish defence was caught out by a long ball forward and Jenna Clark could only
bring down Kayleigh Green in the area and Jessica Fishlock slotted the resulting penalty past
Jenna Fife for the equaliser.
Scotland made three changes at the break and Wales introduced two players
themselves, and it was Gemma Grainger’s side who were to receive the greater benefit in the
second half. Scotland did start the half well and twice came close to regaining the lead as
Emslie fired narrowly over, while Abi Harrison drilled just wide.
Wales responded in clinical fashion and edged in front on 53 minutes, when a clever
back heel from Natasha Harding teed up Fishlock, who made no mistake from close range for
her second goal.
The influential Harding then made it 3-1 on the hour mark as the Welsh turned the
screw, calmly steering the ball past Fife from Green’s cross.
Fishlock had a great chance to complete her hat-trick but shot over the bar with only
Fife to beat. Wales continued to look incisive going forward with substitute Ffion Morgan
firing an effort narrowly over the bar.
Grimshaw and Christie Murray were withdrawn for Kirsty Hanson and Sam Kerr as
Scotland looked to turn the tide. With eight minutes left, Weir did well to find space in the box
but her curling shot went wide.
Harrison pressed hard as the focal point of the Scottish attack and came close to getting
her reward, but an 86th minute shot flew narrowly wide of the post.
Both teams will be in action again on Saturday; Belgium’s 4-0 victory over Slovakia
means that Wales will take on Belgium in the semi finals whilst Scotland will be up against
Slovakia.
Wales: Laura O'Sullivan, Rachel Rowe (sub Lily Woodham 45mins), Gemma Evans, Hayley
Ladd (sub Anna Filbey 15mins), Rhiannon Roberts, Sophie Ingle, Ceri Holland (sub
Angharad James 62mins), Jessica Fishlock, Carrie Jones (sub Ffion Morgan 45mins),
Natasha Harding (sub Megan Wynne 76mins), Kayleigh Green (sub Helen Ward 76mins).
Subs not used: Olivia Clark, Poppy Soper, Elise Hughes, Charlie Estcourt, Georgia Walters,
Chloe Williams.
Scotland: Jenna Fife, Christy Grimshaw (sub Kirsty Hanson 62mins), Jenna Clark (sub
Martha Thomas 45mins), Jennifer Beattie, Sophie Howard, Claire Emslie, Christie Murray
(sub Samantha Kerr 62mins), Lisa Robertson, (sub Kelly Clark 85mins), Caroline Weir,
Lana Clelland (sub Abi Harrison 45mins), Jane Ross (sub Chloe Arthur 45mins). Subs not
used: Eartha Cumings, Kirsty Smith, Nicola Docherty, Lucy Graham, Leah Eddie, Lizzie
Arnot.
Issue no. 22 - 17 February 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk