SENIOR CELTIC CUP - WOMEN
Cork (IRE), 4th - 6th July 2008
Day 1 - Friday 4th July 2008
| 12:00 | Scotland | 1 | Wales | 0 |
| 18:00 | Ireland | 3 | France | 1 |
The opening game Wales v Scotland was played under difficult conditions - heavy rain, grey skies and visibility not great. And in some ways the game reflected this too. The first 5 minutes saw action by both Gks with some high intensity attacking play from both teams that was both purposeful and aggressive. In the 3rd minute an excellently executed pass from captain Carys Hopkins found Sophie Robinson (recently returned from the U21 Celtic Cup) who, beating the keeper then misfired the shot wide of the mark. A classic moment which should have put Wales in the lead but gave a glimpse only of what Wales could do! In the end this miss proved to be the best opportunity of the game. Wales had about 4 key attacks on the Scottish goal that were key to the game most of which were performed under pressure during the last 14 minutes.
Wales fielded a new look team which included Emma Keen and Jaynaya Boyles, both new onto the scene, saw the return of Tina Evans and the inclusion of Vanessa Hawkins from Leicester Ladies. The team has potential and in some areas of the pitch showed promise and a latent talent. The defence worked hard to keep the game alive but Wales conceded too many penalty corners and won too few. A straight strike from Holly Cram of Scotland in the 17th minute was the only goal scored and the only gap between the two teams. Beth Fisher and Ellie Mumford both of Clifton cleared the ball off the goal line in the second half.
Wales challenged throughout the 70 minutes and stepped up in terms of maturity over the two halves.
Wales will now reflect on today's game and will put in place plans to improve how they value the ball, keep possession and create more goal-scoring opportunities in tomorrow's game against France.
Day 2 - Saturday 5th July 2008
| 11:00 | France | 2 | Wales | 4 |
| 13:00 | Ireland | 1 | Scotland | 1 |
A brighter day all round! However Wales slept for the first ten minutes allowing France to gain a early dominance of the game waking only after the award and subsequent re-awarding of two penalty corners. Captain Hopkins proved herself a creative player by her skill following the wake up call! France squandered a easy goal scoring opportunity in the 15th with a wild miss and from this Wales took over the reigns with some very positive and aggressive attacking play. A moment of ill discipline, a careless loss of possession resulted in leaving a French player free to run in the circle getting on the end of a long pass and scored easily with a 'tip in' to the GKs right side.
It is widely acknowledged that during the 5 minutes after scoring a team is at its most vulnerable - unfortunately for France, Wales did just that by scoring in open play within 47 seconds. A great incisive pass from Wilkinson to Hopkins put Wales 1-1 in the 21st minute. Four minutes later Hawkins led another good attack, finding Sheppard but putting the ball wide. Another loss of concentration in the 29th, and again weak marking allowed France to another open opportunity to take the lead and again luck ran against Wales.
The second half opened with Angela Ninian winning her first Welsh Senior cap taking up her position in goal. This experience was to stand her in good stead for the forthcoming Under 21 European Cup. Her performance showed a developing confidence and authority in the back third. The second half over-all was a much better performance by the whole team. The unit play looked more settled, Lowry and Evans looked at times commanding at the back, communication was better and the passing more secure. However Wales must reduce the number of unforced errors if they plan to achieve a finals placing in the EuroNations Cup 2009.
Wales continued to build attacks with some excellent moves in the 47th and 48th minutes from midfield involving Wilkinson, Robinson, Hopkins and Hawkins but the threats to score remained just that. Wilkinson, who had a strong physical presence throughout the game, finally put away the second goal from a straight strike at the penalty corner awarded in the 49th minute. She displayed a more mature contribution in today's game. There followed two more penalty corners within two minutes with a frantic narrow miss from Keen at the GK's left post - but a really commanding 16 minutes in this second half. Wilkinson widened the score to 3-1 receiving a penetrating pass from Sheppard scoring from the left channel with a classy reverse stick shot beating the French keeper down her left foot. Having made the assist, Sheppard moments later showed that she too could replicate Wilkinson's moment of glory by putting away another fabulous reverse shot from a pass from Robinson. One more lapse in concentration, a quick turnover and France sliced through a slow reacting defence a scored their second goal - and again Hopkins rose to the challenge within the same minute. The ball on this occasion was saved on the line by a very committed French girl who slid to prevent the goal in this the 69th minute of the game.
Some of the promise showed in the game against Scotland was built on in this game. Wales recognises the need to maintain more possession, perform with discipline and having now shown their ability to create goalscoring opportunities will focus on being clinical in the attacking circle.
Day 3 - Sunday 6th July 2008
| 09:30 | France | 2 | Scotland | 10 |
| 13:30 | Wales | 1 | Ireland | 3 |
The weather was so bad during this game it is a miracle that Cork did not float away! The amount of water on the pitch delayed the conclusion of the previous match by some 15 minutes and the club officials did a first rate job of 'hoovering' up the excess. It was a slow game with the ball moving even slower. In the opening ten minutes both GK's saw action so despite everything the game promised much. Once more Wales's loose marking allowed goals to be scored in the 13th and again in the 16th minute - putting the GK under undue pressure.
Ireland played a more positive attacking game, confident with the score line, but Wales soaked up with some efficiency a number of key circle penetrations and in turn began create their own chances. Evans and Lowry were at times commanding in defence and held their composure and built attacks from the back 25yard area. Sharples, whilst at times beaten for speed, showed maturity and read the game well positioning herself in key areas to create turnovers. Robinson did well with her elimination skills and having threatened to deliver in both the other games at last put the ball where it belonged - in Ireland's net. Hawkins showed great class carrying the ball some 20 yards, ignoring some appalling obstructions, and fed the ball through to Robinson making the score 2-1 with fifteen minutes left to play.
A wake up call indeed! Wales, who have shown a freshly developed new view of themselves suddenly realised there remained much to play for! Some great work from Fisher and Wilkinson kept this hope alive until a well executed PC took the score to 1-3. If this tournament is viewed as a beginning (to Rome) and not as an end to the Celtic Cup then it was a success blending new players with new systems. Some simple issues like high quality basic skills and quicker thinking and reaction time need to be addressed in both the short and long term. Wales is on the case and looking forward to playing in the sun next year!
A real success - Hopkins - Wales's captain won the player of the tournament. A great decision and well deserved! Congratulations Carys - Wales is proud of you.
Final Positions
1st: Scotland
2nd: Ireland
3rd: Wales
4th: France
