Scotland open their account with a win in Valencia
Scotland’s first match in World League 2 in Valencia was against unfancied Ghana. Aim for Scotland was a win. By how much was irrelevant and that ‘how much’ was 1-0.
The first half of the match was almost totally played in Ghana’s half, with the large majority of that inside the 25.
The Ghanaian defence was under all sorts of pressure, but, once the ball was fired into the ‘D’, Scotland were finding it difficult to get stick on ball. The size of the defenders had a hand in this, but the sheer numbers didn’t help.
The goal came early in the second quarter from an Ami Costello short corner which she fired into the bottom right giving the keeper no chance to save.
Ghana did make a couple of incursions into the Scots’ ‘D’ during the half, but keeper, Nicola Cochrane was barely troubled and the ball was soon back at the other end.
The second half was much the same, with Scotland causing Ghana a great deal of trouble down the left touchline with Jennifer Eadie – who’s parents arrived minus any luggage – and Nikki Lloyd causing general mayhem.
In this half the goal area was a bit more difficult to penetrate, but their best chance came from a scramble on the floor involving Edinburgh University’s, Becky Merchant. However, the umpire blew for foul play and the chance was gone.
There was a bit of a scare with about eight minutes to go when Ghana were awarded a penalty corner, but the ball was deflected over the bar.
The final few minutes were about keep-ball, and this way the Scots played out the remaining time to take their opening win of the tournament.
This match had been proceeded by the other match in Pool B, which turned out in the end to be a fairly average encounter between Poland and Ukraine.
Poland opened the scoring with a penalty stroke just on the 15 minute mark, but Ukraine struck back from a penalty corner the other side of the break to draw level.
Poland drew clear in the second half through two field goals, but the Ukranians pulled one back just before time to finish the match 3-2 to Poland.
Images from the match will appear here over the next few days
