Scots fire in four goals again in final warm-up

SCOTLAND 4 FRANCE 0

Scotland’s senior women rounded off preparations for the European Nations Championships in Amsterdam with a confidenceboosting series win over France,

writes our women’s hockey correspondent.

For the third time on the spin Gordon Shepherd’s charges scored four goals against their guests at the National Hockey Centre, Glasgow, to complete the whitewash with a convincing goal-scoring record of 12 to 1.

After a cagey opening quarter the match sparked into life with French shotstopper Josephine Hermant’s superb reactions denying Katie Robertson before a moment of genius from Mairi Drummond broke through the opposition’s defensive wall.

The dominant Scots continued to carve out opportunities but inspired goalkeeping coupled with a lack of incisiveness failed to increase their lead until the second half when Fiona Burnet smuggled a rebound in.

Lady Luck then favoured Sarah Robertson when a French defender deflected the GB midfield’s pass across the face of the goal to wrong-foot Hermant and make it 3-0.

With 10 minutes left Grove Menzieshill’s Sarah Jamieson rounded off a flowing team buildup with a fourth goal.

Shepherd now faces the task of cutting two players from his 20-strong squad before lining up