Although Scotland's Under 19 women did not qualify for the FIFA tournament in Canada they did not stay idle. The team headed over to Finland to play a double header against the Finns at the Eerikkla Sports Institute. They managed to come away with honours even with a win each. Short reports on both games follow.
Thursday 22nd August 2002 Finland 1 v Scotland 0. Scorer: Vartia (1)
Scotland made a bad start and conceded a goal from the kick-off, when Finland capitalised on a corner in the first minute. Scotland were obliged to chase the game from then on. Despite having a number of chances, including hitting the crossbar, they failed to score before half time. The second half performance was better with Scotland being better more organised. Unfortunately, the score remained 1-0. There was still something to be gained from the game. 15 year old Sharon Scott was anU19 debutant but was Scotland’s best player.
Saturday 24th August 2002 Finland 1 v Scotland 3 Scorers: McDonald (48) Hough (49 & 67) Aman (87)
This second game was a much better performance from Scotland. They totally dominated the game and played very well as a unit. In the second half Scotland turned their domination into goals. In the 48th minute defender Amy McDonald, who debuted for the 19’s in the previous match, scored from a set piece when she blasted her shot through a packed penalty box. Only a minute later excellent work from the midfield allowed Sarah Hough through on the right to lob the keeper to notch up a second. The third goal was almost identical, Sarah Hough again took her chance to score this time rounding the keeper for another excellent goal.Finland did manage a goal in the 87th minute but it was to turn out to be a fine Scotland victory.
The U19’s will now be looking towards on the UEFA Women’s Championship First Round Qualifiers. Scotland are in the same group as Russia, Israel and Northern Ireland. The qualifiers take the form of a mini tournament to be played in Bulgaria between 12th-16th October this year.
The U19 Scotland Squad
Holly Anderson Southampton Ladies FC Finella Annand Inver Ross LFC Katie Bennett Dunfermline LFC Caroline Collie FC Kilmarnock Louise Curley Inver Ross LFC Jane Doig Hibernian LFC Mel Donachie Glasgow City LFC Shelley Grant Inver Ross LFC Suzanne Grant Inver Ross LFC Sarah Hough FC Kilmarnock Joanne Love FC Kilmarnock Suzanne Malone Hibernian LFC Amy McDonald Hamilton Athletic LFC Liza MacKenzie Inver Ross LFC Emma Mills Tynecastle Hearts LFC Sharon Scott Aberdeen LFC Megan Sneddon FC Kilmarnock Hollie Thomson Huyton LFC
