Despite a second half goal by Olivia Chomczuk, Scotland lost out to a well organised Rangers side at Renfrew on Thursday.
Our International Girls’ Squad continued their Bob Doc build up with a friendly against Rangers Academy on Thursday 10 March at New Western Park.
With Laura Berry on Scotland Under 17 duty in Albania and captain Kate Fraser injured, coach David Thomson made a number of changes to the starting eleven.
Rangers started the game strongly, dominating possession and controlling the game. Scotland absorbed the initial pressure and began to fight their way back into the game.
In the 7th minute Sophia Martin had a great shot. After a great run wide on the left, Sophia turned inside and fired in a shot which was pushed over the bar by the Rangers keeper.
In the 9th minute a great run by Millie Paton, where she beat two defenders down the left wing before her cross was blocked for a corner.
Olivia Chumczuk was, by now, beginning to get some space and time in the midfield to drive attacks forward. She was combining well with Sophia Martin to get beyond the Rangers midfield.
In the 19th minute Bella Conreno had a shot from wide left, but she pulled it past the post.
In the 23rd minute Rangers opened the scoring. From a corner on the right the ball was flighted to the back post and the unmarked Rangers number 4 headed the ball into the net.
Two minutes later, Emma Thomson pulled off a great save, when she dived low to her right to push the ball away.
In the 31st minute Scotland created a chance when Lily Boyce played the ball through to Bella Conreno, who in turn played in Holly Daniel, but was denied by fast reactions from the Rangers keeper.
Although neither side had any more scoring opportunities Rangers finished the half stronger. They were strong in midfield and when they lost possession, they didn’t give Scotland any time on the ball to build up any plays.
Half-time: Scotland 0 Rangers 1
Scotland started the second half much more determined. Three minutes into the half Lily Boyce had a great shot from wide right only, once more, for the Rangers keeper to deny Scotland.
Two minutes later, from a clearance from a Scotland corner, Rangers broke fast and their number 23 beat the Scotland defence to the ball and slipped it past Erin Halliday for their second goal of the game.
Scotland didn’t let that setback unsettle them. They continued to push Rangers back and got some success down the left wing, without really creating any chances.
Midway through the second half Scotland were getting into their stride. Freya Brien had a shot which flew just over the bar.
In the 78th minute Scotland pulled one back. Sophia Martin attacked the Rangers defence, was tackled, Olivia Chomczuk picked up the loose ball, drive into the box and fired a great shot across the keeper into the corner of the net.
Scotland pushed Rangers for the rest of the game but couldn’t create any real scoring opportunities.
Full-time: Scotland 1 Rangers 2
A really good work out against a strong and experienced Rangers side.
Scotland: Emma Thomson (Erin Halliday), Mia Scott, Millie Paton, Olivia McStay (Mia McArthur), Gigi Bradford (Lily Boyce), Olivia Chomczuk, Lucy Barclay (Holly Daniel), Sophie Timlin, Bella Conreno, Freya Brien (Sophie Black), Sophie Martin.
