Page 7 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.10 2022-23

Scotland 2 (K.Clark 36, Emslie 41)
Venezuela 1 (Castellanos 58)
Scotland made it a double success in their friendly double header when Kelly Clark and
Claire Emslie gave them victory over Venezuela, despite a brilliant strike from Dani
Castellanos in reply.
Martha Thomas got proceedings underway on a balmy night in Southern Spain. Fiona
Brown and Emslie asked early questions of the Venezuela defence down both flanks, but it
was Erin Cuthbert who had the first shot on goal of the evening – an effort from distance
which flew just wide of the near post.
Garrido almost connected with a long ball over the top for Venezuela on nine minutes,
but Fife comfortably cleared the danger.
Scotland controlled possession in the opening quarter of the game, passing the ball
with ease and dominating across the pitch. Caroline Weir attempted to break the deadlock
on 18 minutes, weaving through the midfield, Emslie laid the ball off on the edge of the box,
but Weir’s shot was collected by goalkeeper Caceres.
Scotland had the ball in the net in the 27th minute, Brown receiving Emslie’s cross, but
the referee awarded a foul on the goalkeeper and the goal was disallowed. Venezuela
attempted to find a way through on the half hour mark, but Cuthbert ushered away the
danger from inside the area.
Rachel Corsie looked set to unleash a shot from close range on 34 minutes, but the
offside flag halted the captain’s proceedings. Scotland only had to wait a few more minutes
to break the deadlock though, Weir swung a corner in from the right side and Clark headed
home at the near post on 36 minutes.
Christie Murray looked to double Scotland’s lead on 38 minutes but blasted a shot high
and wide into the night sky. However, goal number two came in the 41st minute as Brown
swung the ball into the box from the right and an Emslie header made it 2-0.
As the second half began, Emslie continued to menace down the left creating
headaches for the opposing defence. Venezuela with a few good attempts to get back in the
game as the second-half progressed. Castellanos broke away in the 52nd minute but
couldn’t make it count as Corsie and Nicola Docherty combined to clear the ball.
Speckmaier had the ball in the net inside the 56th minute but was flagged for offside by the
assistant referee.
Venezuela got a goal back in the 58th minute, Castellanos beating Jenna Fife from just
inside the halfway line. The South Americans enjoyed a buoyant spell after their goal, with
the crowd firmly behind them.
A triple substitution for Scotland came on 70 minutes, Chloe Arthur, Brogan Hay and
Kirsty Hanson replacing Cuthbert, Brown and Thomas.
Emslie was on the hunt for her second goal of the night in the 73rd minute, but Caceres
got down well to make the save from six yards out. Substitutes Hanson and Hay had an
immediate impact as both got shots away in quick succession with one deflected and the
other denied by the woodwork.
Scotland pressed for a third goal inside the last ten minutes, Rachel McLauchlan
persisting down the right to assist the advancing Hay but to no avail. Hanson created
opportunities but was unable to capitalise.
Scotland: Jenna Fife, Rachel McLauchlan, Rachel Corsie, Kelly Clark (sub Sophie
Howard 88mins), Nicola Docherty, Erin Cuthbert (sub Chloe Arthur 70mins), Christie
Murray, Caroline Weir (sub Rebecca McAllister 84mins), Fiona Brown (sub Brogan Hay
70mins), Claire Emslie (sub Lauren Davidson 88mins), Martha Thomas (sub Kirsty
Hanson 70mins), Subs not used: Lee Gibson, Eartha Cumings, Leah Eddie, Samantha
Kerr, Amy Muir, Jenna Clark, Kirsty Smith.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk