A first international goal for Glasgow City winger Lauren Davidson and a late debut for Jamie-Lee Napier were rare noteworthy moments as Scotland got the better of World Cup-bound Philippines at the Pinatar Arena.
The game between the two sides who had lost their opening Pinatar Cup games on Wednesday was again played in uncharacteristically cold and windy conditions in Murcia. While that contributed to the scrappy nature of the proceedings, the tiny number of attempts on goal over the 90 minutes contributed to a dull spectacle.
Davidson, who is the SWPL's top scorer with 16, revealed after the game that Scotland team-mate Christy Grimshaw had predicted she would find the net. It was a momentous moment for the 21-year-old as her previous four Scotland appearances had all come off the bench, most of them very late.
“It's great – I've dreamed of this since I was a young girl,” Davidson said. “It's an honour to play for my country, and scoring is even better.
“I saw someone making a decoy run out right, so I cut in and had a shot. Christy told me before the game I was going to score. She said she had a feeling about it and I'm delighted to have done it.”
Davidson and AC Milan midfielder Grimshaw were among ten changes to the side which had lost the opening Pinatar Cup game to Iceland on Wednesday. The only survivor from the 2-0 defeat was Rangers' Sam Kerr as Pedro Martinez Losa rested his big stars ahead of Tuesday's final game against Wales.
Davidson's goal arrived six minutes before half-time. Kerr fed the ball to Kirsty Smith and she passed to Davidson, who cut in before sending a low shot past Olivia McDaniel from just inside the box.
Caroline Weir and Rachel Corsie were among three players brought on at the start of the second half and it took just 12 minutes for the changes to have a major impact. Weir swung over a corner from the left and it was nudged home from close range by the Scotland captain.
With time running out, Philippines got one back. Glasgow City centre half Jenna Clark was booked for a foul just outside the Scotland box and substitute Merryl Serrano scored direct from the free kick with a well-struck left foot shot into the far corner beyond Jenna Fife.
