Scotland beat England 2-1 to win the Bob Doc Trophy for the first time since 2015 on Thursday at Parklea.
There was nothing between the two sides as they took to a blustery but sunny Parklea on Thursday afternoon for Match Day Three in the Bob Doc 2013.
It was simple – who ever won today would be crowned Bob Doc Champions 2023.
England had made an impressive start to the series beating Northern Ireland 5-0 in Match Day one and winning the bonus point after drawing 1-1 with The Republic of Ireland in Match Day Two.
Scotland started with a 1-1 draw with The Republic of Ireland in the first game and raised the tempo with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland on Match Day Two.
National Coach David Thomson Made three changes to the side that started against Northern Ireland; Kayla Scott, Taylor Coulter and Izzy Young being replaced by Alex Reid, Kate Fraser and Darra Dawson.
Scotland kicked off with a strong wind behind them and pushed England back.
In the fifth minute Scotland were awarded a free kick 20 yards out ,wide right of centre. Darra Dawson took the kick, her strike hit the bar.
Scotland continued to press for the opening goal. Despite having most of the possession they were finding the strong wind at their backs was causing the ball to run away from them in attacks.
It was England who opened the scoring. In the 10th minute, following an attack down the left, one of their players cut inside and was brought down 30 yards out from goal. The referee awarded a free kick. England’s Bryony Brodie stepped up and curled the ball over Alex Reid into the corner of the net.
Scotland didn’t let this setback put them off their stride and continued to test the English defence for gaps.
England looked content to soak up the Scottish pressure and restrict themselves to fast breaks and in the 16th minute Alex Reid pulled off a great save to deny England after a fast break down the right wing.
It was now all one way traffic with Scotland piling the pressure on the solid and well organised English backline. Scotland were beginning to get through the English defence with Jessica Husband and Orla Burn on both wings causing problems, but the final ball often being pushed on by the wind. Any Sharkey our lone striker was finding it difficult to connect with the ball.
As in previous games, Lily Boyce, Freya Brien and Sophie Black were controlling most of the play in the midfield allowing Jessica and Orla to get forward.
In the 18th minute Darra Dawson hit a superb shot from 20 yards out only to be denied by good goalkeeping by Ella Stowell in goal for England. From the resultant corner, which was delivered to the far past and headed back by Freya Brien, Kate Fraser met the return and was unlucky with her header hitting the bar.
In the 29th minute Orla Burn overturned an English attack and played a beautiful through ball for Amy Sharkey. When it looked like Amy was through on goal she was tripped up which resulted in a free kick for Scotland and the English defender’s name going into the referee’s book.
Just when it looked like, despite all their possession and efforts, Scotland would be going in at the interval a goal down, they equalised. Two minutes into added time Scotland were awarded a corner on the right. Darra Dawson delivered the ball into the six yard box where Freya Brien helped push the ball over the line.
It was no more then this young Scottish team deserved having controlled most of the play and pressed England for most of the opening period
Half-time: Scotland 1 England 1
England attacked straight from the kick off, coming close inside the first minute.
Scotland responded with a superb series of passes out of defence which released Orla Burn down the left wing. Orla’s progress was impeded and Scotland were awarded a free kick. 20 yards out. The ball was delivered into the English six yard box but narrowly missed Scottish heads.
Two minutes later after a corner Freya Brien and Sophie Black combined superbly to allow Freya to deliver a great ball into the English front post for Amy Sharkey. The English keeper just pipped Amy to the ball.
In the 40th minute Olivia McStay stepped in to push the ball away from danger in an English fast break
Despite the wind in their faces, this young Scottish side now looked confident on the ball. They were content to move the ball around the pitch until they saw their chance. Freya Brien was becoming more and more involved in controlling what was happening.
In the 53rd minute Jess Husband shot for goal from 20 yards out after a move started by Amy Sharkey on the half way line. Amy played the ball to Jess who drove into the England half, returned the ball to Amy who then back-heeled the ball back to open up the English defence for Jess to shoot.
Two minutes later Scotland’s pressure paid off and they took the lead. An attack through them middle saw the ball played to Sophie Black. Sophie shot for goal from 15 yards out and struck the upright. Jess Husband who was following the ball in beat a defender to the ball and fired home from eight yards out.
Scotland continued to dominate the game, moving the ball around and seeing off any English attacks.
England did look dangerous on fast breaks but the solid back line of Jessica, Olivia, Erin and Darra were not in the mood to let anything pass them in the final minutes of the game.
The final three minutes of the game saw Scotland kept the ball up at the English corner gaining throw-in after throw-in managing the countdown superbly.
Full-time: Scotland 2 England 1
This was not only an outstanding performance today by Scotland but an outstanding performance by all 18 players over the tournament. Scotland were worthy winners of the Bob Doc. And what’s even more exciting is that seven of the players are young enough to play next year in The Republic of Ireland.
Scotland: Alex Reid, Kate Fraser (Izzy Young), Olivia McStay, Erin Husband, Darra Dawson, Jessica Husband, Lily Boyce, Sophie Black, Freya Brien, Orla Burn, Amy Sharkey (Dara Ositelu).
Subs not used: Kayla Scott, Amélie Chomczuk, Mae English, May Cruft, Taylor Coulter
Scotland Squad
Scotland's first goal
Scotland's second goal
Unfortunately our GoPro was knocked out of position minutes before the winning goal. But you can see the ball cross the line and hear the delight of the girls as they celebrate.
Erin gets the Bob Doc Trophy from Bob Doc
The squad with the Trophy
The squad, coaches and medical staff with the Bob Doc Trophy
