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A chilly St Mirren Park made a change from a soaking Ochilview as enjoyed last night. The wind was not enjoyed by me but it did not stop the players providing some decent fare for the 2,726 crowd. Sweden may have scored the first goal of the game but that did not really reflect the way the game flowed. Scotland were more adventurous after the goal and perhaps it would have been better if Denni Advic scored earlier than the 15th minute. Barry Bannan was a real live wire for the home side and he did not seem to mind wearing shorts that were just about up to his armpits as he teased and battled the Swedish visitors with his trickery and tenaciousness. The line ups before the game appeared to show the Swedes at least a foot taller than their hosts. Thankfully, perspective played a part in my viewing and as the game game started it was obvious that Scotland were a match on the physical side of things. David Wotherspoon was on hand to score the equaliser for Scotland in injury time when je followed up when captain Chris MaGuire was one on one with the keeper who parried the ball to Wotherspoon who was steaming in on the right and sent the ball crashing into the net.
Both managers made wholesale changes at halftime and as the second half wore on to give players a run out but it did not really change the balance of the game. Apart from the goal, held their own in the first half and provided the most entertainment; were the more productive with more chances in the opposition danger area without overly troubling neither Kristopher Nordfeldt (first half) or Vikto Noring (second half). Scotland need to get a. cutting edge to make the most of the possession they enjoyed. Neither side really dominated long spells of either half and if anything Scotland just edged it in terms of total control of the ball. There were too many offside decisions for my liking with Scottish players not paying attention to where were and the referee assistants being keen to wave their flags. Those shots which did come were from Sweden and Scott Gallacher made some really good saves in the second half.
The game was entertaining enough with a better (or more respectable) score than recorded by the senior squad tonight. They did enough to suggest that they may make a decent fist of Group 10 of UEFA Under 21 championships.
Scotland: Martin, Marr, Hanlon, Wilson, Perry, Davidson, Wotherspoon, Shinnie, Maguire, Murphy, Bannan
Subs: Gallacher, Scobbie, Saunders, Cairney, Inman, Easton
Goal: Wotherspoon
Sweden: Nordfeldt, Salmonsson, Ekstand, Ekstran, Nilsson, Bengtssonj, Hamand, Ekdal, Pekalski, Durmaz, Advic,Johsson
Subs: Noring, Backman, Lund, Larsson, Molins, Martensson, Nordmark, Mehmeti, Sise
Goal: Advic
Referee: Crangle
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