Ferns still looking for elusive win
The Football Ferns’ winless run in 2022 extended to a seventh match as they drew 0-0 with Wales at Murcia in Spain yesterday.
Goalkeepers Vic Esson and Laura O’Sullivan were barely called upon across the 90 minutes as genuine scoring chances proved hard to come by.
Substitute Jacqui Hand nearly proved to be the hero for the Ferns, but O’Sullivan was able to tip her header from a Grace
Jale cross in the 89th minute onto the crossbar.
Liz Anton and Olivia Chance had both gone close earlier in the match, while Wales gave Esson only one routine save to make.
Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova´ made one change to the team that started the 2-0 loss to Norway in Oslo at the weekend, with Malia Steinmetz replacing Betsy Hassett and playing alongside Annalie Longo in the heart of midfield.
Wales let an early chance go begging when Ceri Holland failed to get on the end of a cutback from the left with the goal at her mercy five minutes in. Another great chance
for the Welsh followed after 19 minutes, when a through ball from Sophie Ingle released Natasha Harding down the right, but her shot across the goal didn’t call Esson into action.
Wales looked the more likely side in the first half, but neither team was able to assert itself and have a sustained period of possession.
Ally Green made her Football Ferns debut just before the hour mark, replacing Anton at left back, while Hassett replaced Steinmetz.
There was also a second appearance for teenage centre back Kate Taylor, who replaced captain Rebekah Stott, and a run for Gabi Rennie, who replaced Wilkinson.
Wales finally registered a shot on target in the 66th minute, when an under-hit pass from Bowen to Taylor instead gave Holland the ball at the top of the box.
Her attempt was straight at Esson, and the Ferns went straight down the other end, where Chance was denied only by an intervention from fullback Rhiannon Roberts.