Page 8 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.13 2020-21

Wales 0
Canada 3 (D. Rose 24, Viens 58, Fleming 62)
New Wales manager Gemma Grainger saw her first
game in charge end in a 3-0 defeat against a strong
Canada side in their friendly at the Leckwith Stadium.
Ceri Holland was handed a place in the starting line up
for her senior international debut, whilst Lily Woodham
was also named after scoring on her debut against the
Faroe Islands last October. There was an otherwise
familiar look to the side as the new era for the women's
national team began against a talented Canadian side,
captained by all-time record international goalscorer
Christine Sinclair.
There was an early test for Lily Woodham on the
left hand side of the defence against Deanne Rose as the
visitors turned their possession into a series of corners Gemma Evans slides in to tackle Deanne Rose
in the opening exchanges. On 15 minutes, a deep cross (Will Cheshire)
from Angharad James was collected by goalkeeper
Stephanie Labbe and Canada showed their ability to cause problems on the counter attack as
they took advantage of the space left behind from the previous passage of play, before Laura
O'Sullivan made the first save of the game from Rose.
Midway through the opening half, Canada took the lead as Rose evaded the attention of
Woodham to find herself in space on the right and fired a powerful shot past O'Sullivan after
being played in by Quinn.
The goal prompted a positive response from Wales, and Kayleigh Green came close to
levelling shortly after as the home side pushed forward in numbers. An injury for Sinclair saw
the Canada captain replaced after half an hour as Evelyne Viens entered the field, but with just
a few minutes of the opening half remaining, Shelina Zadorsky missed the chance to double the
lead for the visitors as her effort went narrowly wide.
Wales made a positive start to the second half with an intelligent free kick from Rachel
Rowe almost finding Jessica Fishlock in space. However, it was the substitute Viens who would
double the advantage for Canada when she converted from close range just before the hour
mark. Appeals for a Wales penalty were dismissed following a challenge on Natasha Harding
shortly after the second goal, but a fine finish from Jessie Fleming on 62 minutes increased the
lead for the visitors as the once disciplined Wales defence began to lose its earlier composure.
It was encouraging that Wales once again showed a positive reaction to conceding two
quick goals, but clear cut chances remained limited, despite the side asking a number of
questions in the final third. Sadly, a consolation goal remained elusive, while O'Sullivan and
Sophie Ingle had to be at their very best to prevent Canada increasing their lead as spaces were
exposed at the other end of the field.
Despite having less than a week to work with her squad, the new manager has clearly
made a big impression on the group and there was an emphasis on the side to attack in
numbers despite the quality of the opposition. The disciplined back four may have lost its shape
in the latter stages of the match, but a relentlessly energetic midfield provided a foundation for
the team to push forward as a unit.
It was this element of the performance that provided the most obvious example of the
positive approach the side will take forward in their journey under the guidance of Grainger.
Wales: Laura O'Sullivan, Gemma Evans, Sophie Ingle, Rhiannon Roberts, Angharad James,
Kayleigh Green, Jessica Fishlock, Natasha Harding, Rachel Rowe, Ceri Holland, Lily
Woodham. Subs: Olivia Clark, Poppy Soper, Anna Filbey, Josie Green, Helen Ward, Chloe
Issue no. 13 - 15 April 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk