DESPITE starting with what amounted to a reserve side, Scotland got the better of Wales in a penalty shoot out to end their Cyprus Cup campaign on a winning note.
Six first team players weren’t considered for selection because of injury, and four more started on the bench. Two of them, Jane Ross and Lisa Evans, came on in the second half.
Both had chances to win the game in regulation time, but despite being denied her 50th Scotland goal for Scotland in a tournament which brought up her century of caps, Ross was unperturbed.
“My focus isn’t on getting the 50 goals although of course it would be a great achievement if I get there,” the Manchester City striker said. “For me it’s the progress of the team and winning matches that matters.
“We’ve got a really good depth to the squad and every player who has had game time in the tournament has done really well. There is strong competition for places and that’s encouraging to see.”
Scotland hit yet more injury trouble in a forgettable first half. Hibs captain Joelle Murray went down early on and was replaced by Frankie Brown.
The introduction of Ross and Evans made a huge difference and both had good chances to win the game.
It looked as if the Scots had gone ahead midway through the half, but referee Ezster Urban decided Evans’ shot hadn’t crossed the line after hitting the bar. Ross, following up, had her effort blocked.
Ross and Evans stepped up to covnert Scotland’s first two penalties, with Lizzie Arnot and Leanne Crichton doing the same. With the count at 4-4 Shannon Lynn made a great save but Laura O’Sullivan did the same from Caroline Weir.
Fiona Brown made it 5-5 and her namesake Frankie Brown 6-5 after Wales failed to hit the target with their seventh effort.
Scotland finished fifth in the tournament with two wins, a draw and one defeat.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here