CWMBRAN Celtic Ladies keeper Claire Skinner has admitted that her first start in goal for Wales was a daunting experience.

The 19-year-old impressed during the 2-0 loss to Norway at Newport’s Spytty Park on Tuesday, a defeat which ended Wales’ hopes of reaching Euro 2017.

Skinner, who made her senior international debut as a 91st-minute replacement for Laura O’Sullivan in Kazakhstan in April, was satisfied with her display, although obviously not the result.

“I think I did my job well, maybe I could have got to the second goal, but it was a good shot,” she said.

“I am hard on myself but Norway’s manager came over to me at the end and said I played alright so that was good.

“I was told to be vocal so hopefully that came across. I’m really shy normally and not the sort of person who is that vocal, but on the pitch I change a bit.

“I was really nervous before the game and emotional coming off the pitch.

“It was daunting because I’m not used to playing in that environment, I play for a local club where not a lot of people turn up.

“The amount of people that came and supported us was good, and it was good it was on television as well.

“Even though it wasn’t the result we wanted, I was still happy, although I didn’t look it.”

She added: “We were in the game for the first hour but then we probably tightened up and maybe lost focus a bit, which was why they got the goals.

“We’ve improved since last year and it’s only upwards from here, and we’re looking forward to the next few games.”

Skinner started the season with Reading before switching to Cwmbran Celtic and getting more game time under her belt.

The plan now is to remain as Wales’ first-choice keeper for the last two Euro qualifiers against Austria and Israel, both of which are at home in September.