Scotland

MIKE STANGER


SCOTLAND?S women completed their preparation programme for the European Nations finals with two comfortable victories over Italy at Peffermill at the weekend, firstly by 5-1 on Friday evening, then a 4-2 win on Saturday.

Coach Mike Gilbert said it was satisfying to finish off their preparations with two wins against one of the other countries competing in Barcelona in two weeks? time. "Friday?s victory was a good performance," he said. "But on Saturday we again dominated for long periods without killing off the opposition. So there is still some work to be done in front of goal."

The next time that Gilbert?s squad take the field competitively, it will be the opening European Nations match against Spain on 2 September.

After Rhona Simpson?s hat-trick of penalty-corner goals in the first game against Italy, Saturday?s advantage was reduced to 4-2, though the Scots were again the dominant force throughout the game.

The main source of encouragement and key to the match was Scotland?s control of the midfield, which allowed Simpson, Cheryl Valentine, Vikki Bunce and Sue Gilmour space to put their names on the second-game scoresheet. And Cheryl Valentine could have created more clear water if her shot late in the game had not been well saved by the Italian keeper.

Attempted responses by the Italian forwards in the first-half were thwarted at the back by goalkeeper Abi Walker and, with a fine save on the line, by Jane Burley. After the interval, a stick stop by defender Emma Rochlin and a fingertip deflection by Tracey Robb kept Italy at bay until the 45th minute.

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