France win over Scotland women in Marseille

A close third contest of three for Scotland women with France ended in a 3-2 victory for the home side in Marseille.

Scotland started the game well and was on the front foot from the first whistle; connecting well and taking the game to the hosts.

Right at the end of the opening quarter Heather McEwan opened the scoring to put Scotland 1-0 ahead.

From a penalty corner, McEwan was on hand to pounce on a rebound off the post player to convert.

France equalised in the second quarter when Johanna Lhopital scored to make it 1-1. The goal came from a counter attack after some loose play, and the athletic and pacey French side took advantage.

Scotland were still strong in the contest, and Charlotte Watson, earning her 100th combined cap, looked impressive in the front line.

At the start of the second half the French got their noses in front and it came through an Alice Lesgourgues penalty corner finish for 2-1.

The goal didn’t stop Scotland performing well, and they continued to enjoy good spells of possession and attacking threat.

Then Ines Lardeur made it 3-1 to France in the final quarter. The Scots pulled off the goalkeeper in response and hammered the French D with opportunities. Amy Costello cracked the bar with a penalty corner, while Sarah Jamieson and McEwan were both denied by saves.

Scotland pulled one back late in the game when Millie Steiger converted a penalty corner, on the rebound, but France held on for the clean sweep in Marseille.

Head Coach Chris Duncan said, “We’re disappointed to lose but it was a good performance today, despite the result, against a very good French side. The world ranking don’t quite tell the full story, France is a good team on the up, with the Olympics to prepare for.

“The matches are good preparation for us, and nothing really changes as we build towards the Euros. We’re still learning and developing, and the young players who have joined us are still gaining experience, so it’s been a worthwhile series for us to build upon.”

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