Two first half goals for Scotland has set up a highly anticipated 'final' of the Bob Doc 23 on Thursday against England.
Scotland got off to the perfect start with Jess Husband opening the scoring just one minute after the start.
Amy Sharkey picked up the ball wide right, drove to the bye line and cut the ball back just outside the Northern Ireland six yard box for Jess to step onto and knock the ball into the corner of the net.
After their rest day yesterday, the Scotland team looked fresh out on the park and were playing their usual high pressing game. They pinned Northern Ireland back into their own half for most of the opening 15 minutes of the game.
Scotland at this stage were looking good. Both both wide players, Izzy Young and Jess Husband, were exploiting the width of the park to get behind the Northern Ireland defence. Freya Brien, Sophie Black and Lily Boyce were combing well in midfield to move the ball around looking for gaps.
The Northern Ireland defence were well organised and restricted Scotland to shots mostly from outside the box. In the 15th minute Lily Boyce received the ball from Jess Husband, turned and attempted to curl the ball into the net from 20 yards out. Unfortunately the ball went just past the far post, but a good move.
Scotland were patient in their build up, content to move the ball from left to right looking for opportunities for our speedy wide players, Jess and Izzy to get involved.
In the 16th minute a superb pattern of play started with Jess winning the ball wide left and playing the ball to Sophie inside. Sophie, in turn, moved the ball forward to Amy who played the ball back to Freya to have a shot. Although not a successful outcome it was a great move to create the chance.
One minute later a defensive clearance by Taylor Coulter turned into attack when the ball flew over the Northern Irish back line for Jess to run onto. She turned inside and shot from the edge of the box but the ball went narrowly over the bar.
Although it was mainly Scotland in possession the Scottish defences back line of Olivia McStay, Taylor Coulter, Erin Husband and Orla Burn really were superb in anticipating trouble and stepping in to intercept any Northern Irish attacks.
Kayla Scott, in goal for Scotland had very little to deal with in the opening 20 minutes, but she pulled off an outstanding save to push a shot from the edge of the box away for a corner in the 23rd minute.
In the 31st minute Izzy Young had a great run down then right wing, lobbed the ball to the far past for Jess Husband to header. the Northern Ireland keeper pulled off a fine save to prevent another Scottish goal.
Half-time: Scotland 2 Northern Ireland 0
The second half started with the Northern Ireland side maintaining a much higher line resulting in them playing much higher up the pitch. In the opening minute they had an attack which just missed the target.
Mae English, who came on at half time started to get a lot of the ball and used her pace down the left wing to get behind the Northern Irish defence.
Northern Ireland, who were looking a much improved side in the second half, created a chance in the 44th minute, but once again missed the target.
Scotland attempted to play their steady build up but just lacked that decisive moment to exploit the gaps in the Northern Irish defence. Too often the ball was turned back when a shot was on.
In the 41st minute Jess Husband won a free kick 20 yards out when she was upended. She took the free kick herself narrowly missing the far post.
In the 49th minute Amy Sharkey picked up the ball on the halfway line, drove into the Northern Ireland half and played the ball through to Jess Husband. Jess’ first touch took the ball away from her allowing the Northern Ireland keeper to dive and intercept.
In the 65th minute Orla Burn, who was having an outstanding game for Scotland had to go after sustaining injury in a challenge.
After a period of domination by Northern Ireland, Scotland started to get more of the ball. Mae English and May Cruft were getting a lot of involvement and working hard to create chances, but the Northern Ireland defence stood strong.
Full-time: Scotland 2 Northern Ireland 0
Scotland: Kayla Scott, Olivia McStay, Taylor Coulter (Kate Fraser), Erin Husband, Orla Burn (Darra Dawson), Izzy Young (Mae English), Lily Boyce (Amélie Chomczuk), Freya Brien (May Cruft), Sophie Black, Jessica Husband, Amy Sharkey.
Subs not used: Alex Reid, Datta Ositelu
Scotland Squad
