Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.21 2022-23

Scotland 2 (Davidson 40, Corsie 57)
Philippines 1 (Serrano 90)
Scotland picked up their first victory in the Pinatar Cup when goals from Lauren Davidson
and Rachel Corsie saw them home against the Philippines.
Pedro Martinez Losa named 10 changes to the team that faced Iceland. Sam Kerr the
only player remaining in the starting line up from the Pinatar Cup opener. Emma Mukandi
captained the side which featured Jenna Fife in goals, Mukandi was joined in defence by
Kelly Clark, Kirsty Smith and Jenna Clark. Sam Kerr featured in midfield with Christie
Murray and Lisa Evans. Martha Thomas up front with Christy Grimshaw and Lauren
Davidson on either side.
Thomas got proceedings underway for Scotland in blustery conditions in Spain.
Thomas and Davidson created the best of the chances inside the opening ten minutes.
Thomas came within inches of opening the scoring early on when Smith delivered from the
right side, but she just couldn’t connect at full stretch.
Murray played Thomas through on 15 minutes but was flagged for offside. Philippines
absorbed the pressure applied by Scotland who controlled play through the middle of the
pitch. Philippines asked questions of the Scotland defence in the 25th minute with Clark and
Clark combining to clear the danger, calmly ushering the ball to safety.
Neither goalkeeper was tested until the 40th minute, Kerr supplied the ball from
midfield to Smith on the right who played Davidson through. Davidson weaved into the
18-yard box and took the shot low and hard to beat McDaniel and open the scoring for
Scotland.
Pedro Martinez Losa’s side went in ahead at the break, Davidson’s first goal in dark blue
was all that separated the two sides. Scotland made three changes at half time, Evans, Kelly
Clark and Murray made way for Rachel Corsie, Caroline Weir and Kirsty Hanson.
Buoyed by the opening goal late in the first half, Scotland started positively with
Hanson having an immediate impact, but it was Grimshaw with the best chance early in the
second half. Thomas the provider from outside the box, but Grimshaw pulled a shot
agonisingly wide of the far post.
Kerr took a shot from distance in the 55th minute after the Philippines failed to clear
the danger from a Weir free kick which was drilled into the box. Scotland didn’t have to wait
long for another goal though, Corsie capitalised from close range in the 57th minute,
collecting the ball from a Weir perfectly delivered corner kick.
More changes for Scotland in the 72nd minute, Abi Harrison and Chloe Arthur on for
Kerr and Thomas. Grimshaw had a shot from distance a minute later, but the powerful drive
was blocked from inside the box.
Scotland continued to stretch the game with Weir dominating the middle of the pitch.
Harrison made her presence felt on the Philippines defence but couldn’t make the
breakthrough. Jamie-Lee Napier made her Scotland debut, coming on in the 82nd minute for
Grimshaw.
Philippines got a goal back on the 90th minute, Serrano with the consolation from a free
kick. A solid win in the end and first points on the board in the Pinatar Cup.
Scotland: Jenna Fife, Emma Mukandi, Kelly Clark (sub Rachel Corsie 45mins), Kirsty
Smith, Jenna Clark, Samantha Kerr (sub Chloe Arthur 72mins), Lisa Evans (sub Caroline
Weir 45mins), Christie Murray (sub Kirsty Hanson 45mins), Lauren Davidson, Martha
Thomas (sub Abi Harrison 72mins), Christy Grimshaw (sub Jamie-Lee Napier 82mins).
Subs not used: Lee Gibson, Eartha Cumings, Nicola Docherty, Sophie Howard, Fiona
Brown, Claire Emslie, Erin Cuthbert, Brogan Hay.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk