Young Scots come of age with victory over Italy

Scotland’s young squad came of age in the sunshine of Glasgow Green with a 2-1 win over Italy, a side one place above them in the international rankings and on their way to the World Cup in London next month, writes Craig Madden.

The first half was an uneventful affair, with neither side exerting any real dominance, although thetwo chances when Giuliana Ruggieri shot across goal before Agata Wybieralska’s penalty corner shot was blocked by Danni Mcmurray.

The game came to life a minute into the second half when a Ruggieri deflection put the visitors ago al up. It might have been more but for a good save by keeper Lucy Camlin at a penalty corner.

At the other end, chances fell to Nikki Alexander lloyd and Lucy Lanigan, but both were blocked and came to nothing.

But, just before the end of the third quarter, the Scots were level when a direct strike by Birmingham University’s Amy Costello that flew into the keeper’s lefth and corner. Fiona burnet then went close to putting Scotland in front but she failed to make that final connection.

The winner came with ten minutes to go thanks to another Scotland penalty -corner routine. This time a scramble on the goalline saw the ball bounce off various sticks before finally falling kindly to Alexander-lloyd, the Wimbledon midfielder forcing the ball over the line. A late Italy penalty corner nearly brought an equaliser but it was smashed past the post

The second test is tomorrow at the same venue.