A below-par Wales side rescued a point against Ukraine in Llanelli on Friday night to stay top of their UEFA Euro Qualifying group.
Veronika Andrukhiv had given Ukraine the lead after three minutes following a defensive error, but a second half Kayleigh Barton penalty meant Wales left Parc y Scarlets with a point.
Here’s how we rate all the Wales players who appeared in the game against the Ukrainians.
WALES PLAYER RATINGS
Olivia Clark – 5
Positioning wasn’t great for the Ukraine goal, but did gain confidence throughout the game, and made a good save towards the end to keep Wales level.
Ffion Morgan – 5
An odd performance. Thought she got into areas well, but when faced up to an opponent, she didn’t utilise the electric speed we know she has, but at times it felt like Morgan dithered and pondered too much. Subbed off at half time.
Rhiannon Roberts – 4
It’s very rare that we see a poor game from Roberts, but I thought she really struggled. It was her sloppy pass that led to the Ukraine goal after three minutes, and I thought the Ukraine attack were able to get on top of her very easily. Subbed off 75th minute.
Hayley Ladd – 6
Find Ladd’s role in this team fascinating. Not only did she make some good tackles, but she would move forward into the midfield and forward line to start movements. She is the quarterback of this team.
Gemma Evans – 6
In a game where it would have been easy to lose your head and lose focus, Evans was a calming presence. There at the right time to sweep things up if they got a little out of hand.
Lily Woodham – 6
I think Wales could, and probably should, have utilised Woodham a lot more in this match. On many occasions she found herself free on the left, but more often than not, Wales couldn’t work the ball into her. Subbed off 75th minute.
Sophie Ingle – 5
Feel like the midfield found it difficult to function at times. Ingle made a couple of good passes and moved into the defence towards the end. A decent performance from the former captain.
Angharad James – 4
It’s rare for Rhiannon Roberts to have a bad game, it’s even rarer for James to have one. Her passes were stray, her touch was heavy, and she got outmuscled at times. Just one of those games for the captain.
Ceri Holland – 7
Head and shoulders above everyone else on Friday night. Never stopped running, her runs would open up space for others, she’d always find a teammate. Holland once again proving how crucial she is to this team and system.
Mary McAteer – 5
With her form at Sunderland, she deserved to start, but don’t think this was the game for her. Against this Ukraine team, you needed more of a physical presence. McAteer will absolutely get more opportunities, but this just wasn’t her game. Subbed off at half time.
Jess Fishlock – 6
The best chances fell to Fishlock, but she couldn’t find the back of the net. Once again, never stopped running and brining others into play, and a goal would have topped off a solid display.
Kayleigh Barton – 5
Subbed on at half time. Was caught offside three times in her first ten minutes on the field but did score the all-important penalty. Was the presence up front that we needed in the second half.
Rachel Rowe – 5
Subbed on at half time. Started out as wing-back but transitioned into an attacking midfielder role. Like many others, just couldn’t quite get going, but almost won it at the end with a shot from distance.
Lois Joel – 5
Subbed on 75th minute. Playing in an unfamiliar position, I thought Joel was decent, didn’t do much wrong, and restricted the Ukrainian wingers from getting forward and challenging Olivia Clark in goal.
Carrie Jones – 5
Subbed on 75th minute. Again, another forward-thinking player who couldn’t quite get going. Good to see her feature for the first time under Rhian Wilkinson, and will be interesting to see how she does from here and where she fits in.
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