Chris Duncan, Scotland women’s head coach, Chris Duncan praised his young squad after they claimed a 2-1 series win over an experienced Welsh side thanks to a 3-0 success in the final game.
Edinburgh-based Duncan said: “We want to play pressure games so we built that into the mentality for today, making sure that this was a must-win game. We started really well then we just grew from there.
“Considering the average age of the squad on this trip was 20 I’m enormously proud at how well our young players stepped up. We’re obviously delighted with the series win, but it’s the level of performance from such a young team that is really promising for our squad.”
Scotland started well but despite enjoying the major share of possession, and creating chances, they weren’t able to capitalise until after half-time.
Striker Lunjika Nyirenda (The University of Edinburgh) broke the deadlock with a flick to the goalkeeper’s left. At the other end, goalkeeper Jess Buchanan (Exeter University), who has been in fine form, made two quality penalty corner saves and one from open play. low to her right side, to keep Wales at bay.
Captain Millie Steiger (Clydesdale Western), Eve Pearson, who plays club hockey in Germany for Grossflottbeker, and Bronwyn Shields (Clydesdale Western) dictated the play in midfield for Scotland and it was no surprise when the second goal arrived.
An inch-perfect pass from Mhairi Low allowed her Loughborough University club-mate, Ellie Mackenzie, to deflect the ball home and, in the final quarter, Fran Lonergan completed the scoring by slamming a penalty corner into the bottom right corner.
PICTURE: Bronwyn Shields (left) in training with Scotland. Picture Nigel Duncan
Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.
