It was raining goals in Bisham as Scotland women drew 4-4 with England in the first of two test matches.
The home side went 1-0 up within 30 seconds. From push back the English attacked down the right side and finished well to take the lead.
Scotland immediately battled back, and got themselves on top in the opening quarter, but there would be no further goals.
It all changed in the second quarter as the goals began to flow. First, it was a Scotland equaliser. A penalty corner routine allowed Amy Costello to fire home the equaliser for 1-1.
Then England, in a carbon copy of the opening goal, went 2-1 ahead with an attack down the right, and a finish on the rebound from an Amy Gibson save.
Scotland equalised for a second time; they won the ball on the press and a nice exchange saw the ball find Jika Nyirenda, who cleverly flicked the ball into the roof of the net for 2-2.
Two minutes later Scotland took the lead. A penalty corner routine saw Ellie Wilson pick out Laura Swanson for a deflection to make it 3-2.
Right on half time England found an equaliser from the penalty spot and the first half ended 3-3.
The third quarter was tight, with both sides making tactical changes, but Scotland edged the play.
In the final quarter a run along the bassline prompted a foul for another penalty flick, and England went 4-3 ahead.
Then with two minutes left to play Costello smashed home a penalty corner rebound to complete the scoring at 4-4.
Head Coach Chris Duncan said, “It was a good game. We had some very good phases in the game and showed we can compete with a top five team. When you score four goals against a top five team it’s disappointing to draw, but overall we can be very pleased with how we’ve done.
“The challenge now is to back it up in the second test match tomorrow, and make even more progress ahead of the Euros.”
