Wales player ratings as Poland inflict more misery on Cymru

Wales were defeated 5-2 by Poland in Newport, as they extend their winless run to a staggering eleven games.

Elise Hughes had put Wales ahead early on, but two goals from set-pieces by Nadia Krezyman and Milena Kokosz had Poland ahead at the break.

Three goals in three minutes, two for Poland and one for Wales, swung the game further in the Poles’ favour. Klaudia Jedlínska then added the cherry on top of the cake six minutes from time to ensure a big win for the visitors.

Here’s how we rate the performance of every Wales player who faced off against the Poles at Rodney Parade.

WALES PLAYER RATINGS VS. POLAND

Olivia Clark: 7/10

Poland could have had ten if it wasn’t for Clark in goal. Made a string of superb saves either side of the break to keep Wales in the contest. You feel like Wilkinson needs to make a decision on her true number one. Need to give the defence some consistency behind them.

Charlie Estcourt: 5/10

A tale of two halves for Estcourt on the night of her 50^th cap. In the first half, where she played as a wide centre back, she played well. Her pace in the back three made a real difference. Second half she was moved to right back, and something didn’t click.

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Hayley Ladd: 4/10

An uncharacteristic performance from Ladd in Newport. Got dragged out of position too easily, took too many poor touches, and she struggled to recover. Lucky not to have a penalty go against her as well. Will put it down as just one of those games, because she is one of Wales’ most consistent performers.

Anna Filbey: 6/10

Great to see Filbey back in the fold and she made a good impression. Made a terrific block in the first half to deny Poland and came out of defence well. The whole defensive unit in the second half was beyond poor, but a good return for Filbey. Subbed off 65^th minute.

Ffion Morgan: 6/10

What these last two friendlies have shown me is that Morgan is certainly not a wing back. Compared to someone like Ceri Holland, the West Ham forward is missing something defensively. When she gets forward, she was superb and put in a couple of inviting crosses. However, along with Carrie Jones, she also was caught out with both short corners.

Alice Griffiths: 5/10

Was good to see her back starting having, rather surprisingly, not played a single minute at the Euros. Was difficult in the midfield with both teams wanting to play out wide. Didn’t really see the best of Griffiths, but that’s certainly not down to her performance. Subbed off at half time.

Mia Ross: 6/10

Very similar to Griffiths in the fact I don’t think we managed to see the best of her. What she did add to the midfield was plenty of height, and she does have a real physicality about her. Has the ability to float into defence if needed too, but Ross shouldn’t be downhearted with her display. Subbed off 78^th minute.

Teagan Scarlett: 6/10

A very decent debut all things considered for the young Arsenal defender. In tight spaces she was very good at picking out the right pass and displayed plenty of energy down the wing. Needs to tidy up some things defensively, but not a bad debut by any stretch. Subbed off at half time.

Tianna Teisar: 5/10

Could, and probably should, have doubled the Wales lead less than ten minutes into the game. Had a good linkup with Hughes down the middle but would have liked to have seen more interplay down the wing with Morgan. But like with many of the young players we’ve seen, there’s plenty of promise there. Subbed off at half time.

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Elise Hughes: 6/10

A tale of what could have been for Hughes. Showed real relentlessness to scramble the first goal in, but she could have had at least one or two more. Once again held the ball up well, and she does add a different dynamic to this team. Subbed off 65^th minute.

Carrie Jones: 7/10

Like Ffion Morgan, thought she got exposed twice from short corners and didn’t press enough. Other than that, Jones was one of Wales’ only livewires against Poland. Particularly in the second half she tried to get on the end of everything, and she did take her goal well. However, I would like to see her in a deeper midfield role where she’s played often in Sweden.

Sophie Ingle: 7/10

Subbed on at half time. I’ll just state the obvious. Sophie Ingle is really good at football. As soon as she came on, she was playing spellbinding passes and picking out players at will. Ingle needs to be in every eleven if Wales are to have success.

Scarlett Hill: 5/10

Subbed on at half time. Not the greatest introduction with her heavy back pass contributing to the third goal. That being said, Hill was everywhere. At times she was Wales’ highest pressing player. Like so many young players tonight, there’s something there, but it just takes time.

Ceri Holland: 6/10

Subbed on at half time. Much like Sophie Ingle, Holland showed why she should be starting every game. The energy and never give up attitude is something that benefits Wales every single time. Her deliveries into the box were sublime too.

Mary McAteer: 5/10

Subbed on 65^th minute. The Charlton forward came on at a very difficult part of the game and she found it difficult to make an impact. She never gave up in trying to gain possession of the ball, but it was a difficult night.

Gemma Evans: 5/10

Subbed on 65^th minute. Like McAteer, Evans came on at a time where the defence needed strengthening, and yet Poland still found breakthrough after breakthrough. Just a game to forget for so many.

Angharad James: N/A

Subbed on 78^th minute. Not on long enough to make an impact.

Rhian Wilkinson: 4/10

There was no problem with team selection and Wales ended the first half on top. So why did Wilkinson decide to change so much? The three at the back suddenly looked like more of a four, and Poland capitalised on that tremendously. Just some odd decisions from the manager on a sub-par night in Gwent.

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)