Clydesdale Western finished with bronze and promotion after a win over WAC in Cambrai

CLYDESDALE WESTERN 2 WAC (AUSTRIA) 1

Clydesdale Western threw off the disappointment of losing to East Grinstead yesterday evening and put in a gritty performance today to beat the Austrian champions WAC 2-1 and finish in the bronze position.

But there was further good news as it would appear that it is the top three sides rather than the usual two who will gain promotion to Europe`s top flight next season. The beneficiary of that good fortune will be newly crowned Scottish champions Watsonains.

There was little to comment on during the opening 17 minutes of the first half, but then the Austrians took the lead when Luisa Mayer cashed in on an interception for the opener.

Clydesdale retaliated almost immediately and Fran Lonergan`s effort at a penalty corner went just over the bar. But the Scots were not long in achieving parity, good pressure in the circle allowed Bronwyn Shields to fire home.

Before the Austrians could recover they were hit again, this time it was Tamilla Metchett who found the net to give Clydesdale a 2-1 lead at the interval.

And all that happened in the final three minutes of the first half.

The Austrians desperately pushed for the equaliser throughout the second half – but failed!

WAC did not lack the opportunities with five penalty corners and one penalty stroke, but the combination of lax finishing, some dogged defending and a series of fantastic saves by Clydesdale keeper Jess Buchanan served only to increase their frustration. The result was a goalless second half and the points going to Clydesdale.

Special mention should be made of Jess Buchanan`s superb penalty save from Johanna Buchleitner – sheer brilliance!

The Austrians replaced their keeper with an additional outfield player to rescue the contest but even that tactic failed to distract Clydesdale from their mission.

After the final game Clydesdale coach Wendy Justice said: “The goals the girls set was to make the top four, gain promotion, and win a medal. To succeed in all goals is absolutely brilliant.

“The match was a thriller, nail biting to the final whistle. We had to win, the Austrians were aware that a draw was good enough for them. This result depended on resilient delivery from the whole squad, but special has to go to Jess Buchanan, who delivered `the` outstanding goal keeper performance of the tournament, to Bronwyn Shields and Tamilla Matchett who scored our crucial goals, to Carly Bisset who made a postage stamp stick save at a penalty corner, and Margery Justice who returned to the action after treatment to a cut eyelid.

“I`m so very proud of the character shown by this squad to eke out this win.”

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