Cymru leave Pinatar undefeated after drawing final game

Cymru ended their Pinatar Cup campaign undefeated, as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Scotland.

Sophie Howard had put Scotland ahead, but Ceri Holland’s equaliser before half time meant the shares were spoiled.

Cymru can still win the Pinatar Cup, as long as the Philippines defeat Iceland later tonight.

Gemma Grainger elected to make four changes to the side that drew with Iceland on Saturday night. In came Liv Clark, Josie Green, Charlie Estcourt, and Hannah Cain to replace Laura O’Sullivan, Hayley Ladd, Rhiannon Roberts, and Rachel Rowe.

Things didn’t start to well for Cymru as they were behind within eight minutes. An Erin Cuthbert corner found the head of Sophie Howard, who lost her marker easily, to bullet a header in from close range.

In truth, for much of the first half, the Scots dominated. Cymru looked sluggish on the ball and stray passes were all too common, a side we have rarely seen from Grainger’s side.

Yet, Scotland could only produce half chances, and nothing was testing Clark in goal.

It was becoming clear a moment of class was needed, and Cymru came up with it three minutes from the break.

Hannah Cain received the ball beautifully from Clark’s goal kick before finding Jess Fishlock with the pass. The OL Reign star then produced a pinpoint through ball into Ceri Holland, who calmly slotted the ball past an onrushing Lee Gibson.

It wasn’t a good half by any means for Cymru, but the fact they reached the break level would undoubtedly boost their confidence.

Grainger’s side started the second half well and Sophie Ingle almost turned in Rachel Rowe’s cross, but the ball trickled past the post.

But there were signs that Scotland were doing more of the pressing and creating more chances throughout the half.

Real Madrid midfielder Caroline Weir had two chances, while one fell to substitute Martha Thomas, but a combination of poor finishing and good saves from Clark was keeping Wales in it.

Cymru were the better side as the game drew to a close. Meg Wynne had a penalty appeal turn down, while Fishlock couldn’t guide her effort on target after a good cross from Rhiannon Roberts.

But a draw is how it finished. Cymru go unbeaten in the Pinatar Cup and will look forward to their next match against Northern Ireland on April 6^th at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Player of the Match: Jess Fishlock

Hannah Cain deserves a mention for an excellent performance, but Fishlock was great today. A wonderful assist but also involved in both boxes, defending and attacking, and she was unlucky not to get a goal

Cymru

Liv Clark (GK), Lily Woodham, Gemma Evans, Josie Green, Charlie Estcourt (Rhiannon Roberts, 59’), Sophie Ingle ©, Angharad James, Ceri Holland (Rachel Rowe, 46’), Jess Fishlock, Kayleigh Green (Meg Wynne, 59’), Hannah Cain (Helen Ward, 87’)

Unused Subs: Laura O’Sullivan, Hayley Ladd, Esther Morgan, Alice Griffiths, Carrie Jones, Anna Filbey, Georgia Walters, Elise Hughes

Goals: Ceri Holland (42’)

Yellow Cards: Kayleigh Green (59’)

Scotland

Lee Gibson (GK), Nicola Docherty, Rachel Corsie ©, Sophie Howard, Fiona Brown (Kirsty Smith, 46’), Sam Kerr (Chloe Arthur, 78’), Caroline Weir, Abi Harrison (Martha Thomas, 63’), Claire Emslie (Kirsty Hanson, 63’), Lauren Davidson (Brogan Hay, 63’), Erin Cuthbert

Unused Subs: Jenna Fife, Eartha Cumings, Emma Mukandi, Kelly Clark, Lisa Evans, Jamie-Lee Napier, Jenna Clark, Christie Murray, Christy Grimshaw

Goals: Sophie Howard (8’)

Yellow Cards: Rachel Corsie (80’)