Scotland victory over Poland sees Shepherd’s squad reach Euro semi-final
Scotland`s women only needed a draw to reach the semi-final stages
after pool leaders Belarus beat Wales 3-2 in an earlier match, but
made heavy weather of disposing of Poland 2-1.
In an eminently forgettable first half the Scotland`s threats to
the Polish goal were restricted to a first minute penalty corner
from Nikki Kidd and a shot by Holly Cram which was parried by the
goalkeeper, but it was Poland who took a 1-0 lead into half-time
after a set piece was not cleared by the Scots defence.
The Scots were back on level terms just after the interval, Emily
Maguire`s penalty corner shot ended in a scramble and eventually
Kareena Marshall poked the ball over the line. The game
entered a pedestrian phase with neither goalkeeper being called
upon in earnest. That is until four minutes from the end, a
fluent passing move involving Vikki Bunce and Ali Bell pushed the
ball on to Cram to deflect home from close range for the winner.
Subsequent chances fell to Bell and Bunce as the Polish
pressed for an equaliser, but the Scots are through to face Russia
in the semi-finals.
Scotland`s women only needed a draw to reach the
semi-final stages after pool leaders Belarus beat Wales 3-2 in an
earlier match, but disposed of Poland 2-1 to set-up a semi-final
meeting with Russia on Saturday.
In a slow first half, Scotland`s threats to the Polish goal were
restricted to a first minute penalty corner from Nikki Kidd and a
shot by Holly Cram, which was parried by the goalkeeper, but it was
Poland who took a 1-0 lead into half-time after a set piece was not
cleared by the Scots’ defence.
However, they were back on level terms just after the interval,
when Emily Maguire`s penalty corner shot ended in a scramble and
eventually Ali Bell poked the ball over the line.
The game then entered a pedestrian phase with neither goalkeeper
being called upon in earnest. That is until four minutes from
the end, when a fluent passing move involving Vikki Bunce and Ali
Bell pushed the ball on to Cram to deflect home from close range
for the winner.
Subsequent chances fell to Bell and Bunce as the Polish pressed
for an equaliser, but the Scots are through to face Russia in the
semi-finals.
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