Wales 0-1 Scotland: O’Sullivan error proves costly as Cuthbert gives Scots victory
An error from Laura O’Sullivan saw Wales fall to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Scotland at Parc y Scarlets.
Erin Cuthbert pinched the ball from the Wales goalkeeper before finishing easily from close range on 59 minutes.
It’s a disappointing loss for Wales who were the better side in the first half, but a stronger second 45 minutes from the visitors was enough for the win.
Wales showed their support for Pride Month by wearing the Pride flag on their shirt for this game.
17-year-old Carrie Jones was handed her first Wales start in the absence of the injured Ceri Holland.
Wales could have taken the lead in the first minute when Jess Fishlock pinched the ball high up the field.
She took her shot quickly looking to catch Lee Alexander out, but her effort flew just over the crossbar.
They had another chance to open the scoring just two minutes with Fishlock turning provider this time.
The OL Reign midfielder slipped in Carrie Jones on the left who send her shot wide of the post.
Scotland grew into the game after the host’s early chances, keeping the ball for periods with their neat passing.
Angharad James had a chance for a rare goal midway through the first half, her half volley forced a fine save out of Alexander.
The visitor’s first chance of the game fell to Erin Cuthbert who flicked a header into the hand of Laura O’Sullivan.
It was the Chelsea winger that had the best chance of the first half.
Weir laid the ball off before she struck the cross bar from the edge of the box late in the first half.
Scotland came out much stronger at the start of the second half as they looked the most likely to get the opening.
Wales failed to show the same pressure that they did in the first half after the break.
Their pressure paid when Cuthbert gave them the lead on 59 minutes.
She pinched the ball from O’Sullivan, who failed to claim a pass back from Gemma Evans, before firing in from five yards.
They could have added a second minutes later when Claire Emslie got the smallest of touches on the ball, but it rolled just wide.
A great switch from Sophie Ingle played in Carrie Jones down the left who played a reverse pass to Rowe.
She found her Reading teammate to Natasha Harding who couldn’t keep her shot under the crossbar.
17-year-old Jones had an excellent performance in her first Wales start showing no fear at all.
Grainger handed a debut to Oliva Clark on 75 minutes as she replaced O’Sullivan between the sticks.
The hosts went close to finding an equaliser in the final minute but Harding’s ball across the goal run just past substitute Ffion Morgan.
There were plenty of positives to take for Grainger, especially in the first half like the midfield three of Ingle, Fishlock and James and a strong performance from Jones.
Wales: Laura O’Sullivan (Olivia Clark, 77), Rhiannon Roberts, Gemma Evans, Josie Green (Esher Morgan, 66), Rachel Rowe, Sophie Ingle, Angharad James, Jess Fishlock, Natasha Harding, Carrie Jones (Georgia Walters, 77) Kayleigh Green (Ffion Morgan, 90)
Scotland: Lee Alexander, Kirsty Smith, Rachel Corsie, Brianna Westrup, Fiona Brown (Lizzie Arnot, 76), Kim Little, Caroline Weir, Lucy Graham, Christy Grimshaw (Nicola Docherty, 57), Claire Emslie, Erin Cuthbert (Christie Murray, 91’)
Goals: Erin Cuthbert 59′
