THERE was no fairytale start to Wendy Fraser's career as coach of Scotland's Under-21 side yesterday in Dublin. In their opening match of the Four Nations tournament, they lost 1-0 to hosts Ireland.
This was no worse than expected from this new-look, young, and inexperienced Scottish side, but if the players had shown more craft in front of goal, then the result could have been quite different.
Ireland were the more fluent side in the first half but only once threatened the Scottish goal, when Judith Chapman was equal to the strike of Claire McMahon.
In the second half the Scots were much more positive through the influence of Claire Lampard, Judith McClagan, Cheryl Valentine, Gail Crawford, and Eileen Robertson, who was arguably the most astute player on view.
In the ninth minute Scotland should have taken the lead at their second penalty corner. Kathryn Gray hit a post from less than a yard after taking a pass from Crawford, and then Katrina Semple pounced on the rebound but her effort was blocked on the line.
Crawford and Samantha Judge continued to stretch the Irish defence but in 20 minutes Ireland won their third corner on a counterattack and McMahon was left unmarked in the heart of the circle and broke the deadlock.
Hailey Welsh had a golden opportunity to level nine minutes from time but miscued in front of goal.
Fraser was naturally disappointed at not taking something from the game but conceded: ``We didn't create enough scoring chances and we still don't react quickly enough to the pace of the game to capitalise on our good outfield play.'' Results:
Ireland 1, Scotland 0; Wales 1, Czech Republic 1.
JOSEPH DILLON
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