Little double secures victory in Poland

Friday, 23 July 2010

Women’s International Challenge Match
Poland 1 -2 Scotland
City Stadium, Proszowice

Scotland will go in to their August Women’s World Cup qualifiers on a high, after a 2-1 win over Poland in Proszowice today.

All three goals came in the first half. Kim Little put Scotland ahead with an 11th minute penalty, before the hosts pulled one back less than ten minutes later. But Little sealed the win on the stroke of half-time, finding the net after getting on the end of a pass from Arsenal team-mate Jennifer Beattie.

National coach Anna Signeul took the opportunity to tinker with her side. Under 19 captain Rachael Small made her A squad debut, coming on as a second-half substitute at right-back, while Beattie, who has played across the back four and in midfield for club and country, played up front.

It was a milestone match for Glasgow City midfielder Megan Sneddon, who picked up her 75th cap.

Anna Signeul said: “This was a very good win for us. It was important for us to put in a good performance ahead of the qualifiers against Greece and Denmark.

“At the same time, with players like Ifeoma Dieke, Kirsty McBride, Suzanne Grant and Julie Fleeting unable to travel to Poland we had the chance to try out different players and formations, and for the most part I was very pleased.

“We had a very different back four, with Rhonda Jones and Frankie Brown replacing Dieke and Beattie, and we looked solid in defence throughout the game.  I was also very pleased with the contribution of Rachael Small when she came on in the second half.

“We experimented with both Little and Beattie up front in the first half. Kim weighed in with two goals, and Jennifer won everything in the air, so it gave us plenty to think about.

“The side has progressed so much in the past year or so, we have a lot of different options and it’s very pleasing to see so many younger players making their mark.”

Scotland face Greece in a Women’s World Cup qualifier at Strathclyde Homes Stadium, Dumbarton on Saturday 21 August, kick-off 2pm.

Their final match of the campaign comes four days later in Denmark. Scotland must win both games to overtake group leaders Denmark and secure a place in the play-offs.