Shepherd to cut squad for Euros after Scots complete treble over French

Scotland women’s head coach Gordon Shepherd, pictured, was satisfied to complete his preparations for the European Nations Championships next month with another convincing 4-0 win yesterday over France at Glasgow Green.

The victory completed the treble over the French in the series, but again Shepherd may reflect that his strikeforce should have scored more goals to reflect their total dominance during the game.

Shepherd now has the unenviable task of reducing his squad from the present 20 to 18 for the Europeans in Amsterdam next month.

After a rather uninspiring first quarter, it took a piece of individual magic by Mairi Drummond to break the deadlock. The Wimbledon player drove into the circle and had time to fire a low shot past the French goalkeeper.

Despite chances falling to Robyn Collins at a penalty corner, Bex Condie and Becky Merchant only a single goal separated the teams at the interval.

In the third quarter Merchant squandered a clear-cut chance, then Amy Costello did have the ball in the net at a penalty corner but it was curiously disallowed by the umpire.

But the second goal was only delayed, the goalkeeper half saved the initial shot and Fiona Burnet was on hand ti nudge it over the line. Scotland’s third goal had a strong element of luck about it, a training ground routine at another penalty corner saw the ball returned to Sarah Robertson at the near post, the Edinburgh University striker’s pass across the circle was diverted into the net off a defender’s foot.

The fourth goal emanated from a driving move involving several players which opened up the French defence, the ball broke to the unmarked Sarah Jamieson and she fired a fierce shot into the net.