Wales defeated Kosovo 2-0 at Parc y Scarlets to finish top of their Nations League group on Tuesday night.
Jess Fishlock opened the scoring in the eighth minute, and broke Helen Ward’s all-time goalscoring record in the process, before Mary McAteer scored her first international goal before the half hour mark, as Wales sealed a comfortable victory.
Here’s how we rate the performance of all the Welsh players who stepped onto the pitch in Llanelli on Tuesday evening.
WALES PLAYER RATINGS
Safia Middleton-Patel – 6
The Manchester United keeper didn’t have too much to do in this game, but it was great to see her make her competitive debut. A clean sheet too will do a lot for her confidence, and as Rhian Wilkinson said after the game, you never know when you’ll need more than one keeper in a game.
“Safia has been training really well, and I’ve been pretty clear with the keepers in terms of where they stand. But we always have to be ready for any moment. We’ve got Laura O’Sullivan here too who has so many caps and she supports these two youngsters, but the whole goalkeeping department are so supportive of each other. We’ve got a good group, and I’m really happy we’ve been able to give Safia some good minutes on the field.”
Rhiannon Roberts – 6
I did like how high the defence were, especially in the first half. They dropped off in the second and certainly didn’t look as strong as they did. For Roberts, I did like the tackles she made, and she was fine from a positional standpoint. I do worry about her lack of speed, however. Subbed off 64th minute.
Hayley Ladd – 6
Again, I didn’t think the backline were particularly good or poor, they needed what they needed to do. I like how Ladd pushed forward in the first half, but she did get caught out in the second half, and Kosovo almost scored from it. I still maintain Ladd needs to move away from Manchester United, as her lack of football is becoming a little more telling.
Gemma Evans – 6
I don’t feel Evans was tested as much as Roberts and Ladd, but that was because she didn’t let anyone past her. She was the brick wall in the defence that we all know and appreciate, and over the course of this Nations League campaign, I’d say she’s been Wales’ best defender.
Charlie Estcourt – 7
Wales didn’t utilise the right side much in the first half, but in the second, they really did, and I thought Estcourt was probably Wales’ best player in the second period. Not afraid to get forward, putting great balls into the box, showed great strength, it was a great performance, something Wilkinson agreed with.
“Wingback is a really hard position, especially against the opposition we’ve had, because we’ve had to be so patient. Charlie hasn’t had so many opportunities, but she’s always been ready, and that’s quite telling of the character she has and the player she is. A really good performance from her today.”
Angharad James – 6
Thought James played in a sort of quarterback role in the first half. Loved the way she scanned the pitch from a deeper position, and she was able to showcase her whole passing range. Dropped off in the second half, but so did most of the players in red.
Sophie Ingle – 7
What I’ve really enjoyed about Ingle over the past two matches is that she’s been given more of a licence to get forward, and I do think we’ve benefited from that as a team. Did feel like Wales lost something when she did go off the pitch. Subbed off 64th minute.
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Lily Woodham – 7
The reverse of Estcourt. Woodham received the ball a lot in the first half, and she really dominated her opponent. Never stopped running and was able to bring many into play. If Wales are to play wingbacks going forward, I believe these two should be the first-choice duo.
Carrie Jones – 7
When you play in a forward position, you are judged a lot on your goals or your chance creation, but Jones was so much more than that. I don’t think anyone ran as hard as her in closing down opponents, and she was a crucial opponent in key link up play in the first half. A very underrated performer on Tuesday night. Subbed off 72nd minute.
Jess Fishlock – 10
Of course, the goal was a joyous moment, and it was so well taken, but there were so many other aspects of her game that were impeccable. The way she moved into pockets of space, the way she could pick out her teammates, the way she plugged gaps when she needed to. All round, it was a vintage Fishlock performance, and she really did no wrong. Subbed off 65th minute.
Mary McAteer – 8
The first start she made against Ukraine wasn’t her best, but on Tuesday, we saw exactly what McAteer could offer. There was a really good blend of power and finesse, of agility and force. She was in the right place at the right time to score, and she’s finally off the mark for Wales, and Wilkinson couldn’t hide her delight. Subbed off 81st minute.
“Mary is a really high IQ player. We have Kayleigh Barton who is a certain type of striker, Elise Hughes is a different type, and then Mary is different again. That’s tough, because the team can get used to a certain type of player up top, but Mary has stuck with it. She’s played well for us in the past, but we haven’t always been able to look and find her movement. She deserved that goal today, because she did a tonne of work we don’t always see. She lives in little pockets, and she links players and she’s a goal scorer in the box. I’m really happy for her.”
Mayzee Davies – 6
Subbed on 64th minute. Once again, Davies made a really good impression when she came on. Didn’t really put a foot wrong, pushed forward when needed, and restricted Kosovo when they came down her flank. It won’t be long until she’s starting for Wales.
Alice Griffiths – 6
Subbed on 64th minute. Didn’t have the same impact as she did when she came on against Croatia, but I do think it was difficult for the subs to make an impact, especially as Kosovo gained more confidence as the half wore on. Do think she’s on course to be a starter someday.
Lois Joel – 6
Subbed on 65th minute. Great to see Joel take up a position in the midfield when she came on, having been played as a wingback this campaign mainly. Like many others, I do feel the midfield lost a bit of a steam in the second half, but it is promising to see Joel finally play in her natural position.
Rachel Rowe – 6
Subbed on 72nd minute. Do feel like it was difficult for an attacker like Rowe to make an impression when Wales weren’t on the front foot as much as they were in the second half. Did have a half chance with a volley which was saved, but that was about it for the Southampton winger.
Kayleigh Barton – N/A
Subbed on 81st minute. Don’t think it’s fair to judge Barton because of the lack of attacking intent, especially late on, but the striker has had a really good campaign and I believe she’s been an underrated cog in this system.
Rhain Wilkinson – 6
That first half performance was probably the best in this whole campaign. Wales were on the front foot, there was plenty of movement, interchanging of positions. There was a drop off in the second half, but that could be down to a myriad of reasons. Overall, I think Wilkinson made some good decisions.
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