The SSFA under 18 boys endured a very difficult evening when they travelled to Spennymoor FC for the Centenary Shield game against old rivals, England The result was a convincing 4-0 win for the home team giving them their second win of the tournament.
Unfortunately it was a case of the Scottish team shooting themselves in the foot against a very strong and capable opponent.
Avoidable errors cost the Scots dearly in their third game of the tournament.
In a fast moving first fifteen minutes Scotland coped with the home team’s positive start and did well in trying to retain possession.
They did however have to concede a number of corner kicks and it was from one of these that England took the lead after 37 minutes.
Centre forward and English captain Josh Stones rose to head home powerfully from inside the six yard box.
England doubled their lead before half time when Stones capitalised on a Scottish mis timed clearance, that left him one on one with Scotland’s keeper Liam Russell.
The forward made no mistake rounding the keeper before scoring.
Half-time: England 2 Scotland 0
The Scotland players knew that they had to up their game at the start of the second half and they started brightly.
England keeper Keogh pulled off a great save from a Scotland captain Kenny MacInnes shot that might have turned the game.
The visitors made three substitutions to try to change the flow of the game with Hamilton, Burns and Stenhouse coming on.
England added a third goal after Scotland lost possession in mid field and a long distance shot beat Russell.
Further subs saw Watt and Brander join the game for Scotland.
But it was England who netted the fourth goal.
Forward Stones again found himself clear in the box after another mistake by Scotland and his clever chip earned him a well taken hat trick.
Scotland will now play Wales in their final game which takes place at Galabank, Annan at 7.00 pm on Thursday 8th April.
The squad will give their all to secure a win to end their international season.
Scotland: Russell, Stephen, Binnie, Klimionek and Strachan. MacInnes and Lorimer. Riley, Beagley and Gibson. Mohammed. Subs used: Hamilton, Burns, Stenhouse, Watt and Brander. Unused subs: Lamont and Wallace.
