Goals in the first half from Amy Sharkey and May Cruft secured Scotland their third win in a row in their final preparation game before next week’s Bob Doc tournament starts.
Tonight’s opposition were a Celtic side that contained a mixture of Under 14s, 15s and 16s and were missing a few players due to the girls playing for us! It was also great to see two of last season Girls’ squad – Erin Halliday and Mia Scott – make such good progress in their football career playing for Celtic.
Scotland started the game explosively, pushing the young Celtic side back. In the opening minute Freya Brien had a superb run down the right wing before beating a defender and delivering a dangerous ball into the Celtic six yard box.
In the sixth minute after excellent recovery from Freya Brien, Amy Sharkey showed why she is a top goal scorer when she drove into the Celtic box and hit a low shot which looked net bound until former SSFA keeper Erin Halliday comfortably blocked.
Scotland continued to stretch the Celtic defence and in the ninth minute came close again. Amy Sharkey started the move down the left wing before moving the ball to Sophie Black. Sophie, in turn, played in Freya Brien who’s shot narrowly missed the near post.
At this stage in the game, Scotland were well on top, The midfield paring of Amélie Chomczuk and Sophie Black were working well together, moving the ball around the massive Barrowfileld pitch, finding Jessica Husband and Orla Burn on the wings to start yet another attack.
Scotland made the breakthrough in the 13th minute when Amy Sharkey stepped onto a superb through ball from Freya Brien to hit the ball into the net from the edge of the Celtic box.
Five minutes after replacing Sophie Black, May Cruft doubled Scotland’s lead. Kate Fraser started the move down the right then passed inside to May who dribbled past two Celtic defenders and smashed the ball into the net from 20 yards out.
Celtic worked hard to get back into the game and did begin to threaten the Scotland defence. However the speed which Olivia McStay and Erin Husband in the middle and Kate Fraser and Darra Dawson in the full back positions closed down the Celtic attacks was impressive.
Half-time: Celtic 0 Scotland 2
A number of changes were made for the start of the second half. Kayla Scott replaced Alex Reid in goal. Mae English, Izzy Young and Sophie Black came on in midfield. Dara Ositelu replaced Amy Sharkey up front.
Two minutes into the second period Mae English intercepted a pass out of defence, drove in on goal and shot only to see Erin Halliday block her shot.
Celtic were holding a higher line than the first half in an attempt to deny the fast Scottish midfielders space to move the ball around. With fresh legs Mae English and Izzy Young were covering a lot of ground to counteract the Celtic push.
Scotland continued to create chances with Dara Ositelu going close in the 67th minute.
Amélie Chomczuk who had put in a huge amount of work was replaced by Freya Brien midway through the half. Freya in turn was replaced by Jessica Husband for the final minutes of the match.
Full-time: Celtic 0 Scotland 2
A great workout for Scotland against a very technically good Celtic side in the final lead up to the Bob Doc tournament which starts on Sunday 2 April at Parklea, Port Glasgow.
Scotland 1st half: Alex Reid, Kate Fraser, Olivia McStay, Erin Husband, Darra Dawson, Jesica Husband, Sophie Black (May Cruft), Amélie Chomczuk, Freya Brien, Orla Burn, Amy Sharkey.
Scotland 2nd half: Kayla Scott, Kate Fraser, Olivia McStay, Erin Husband, Darra Dawson, Mae English, May Cruft, Amélie Chomczuk ( Freya Brien (Jessica Husband)) Izzy Young, Orla Burn (Sophie Black), Dara Ositelu
Scotland Squad
