News

Women's under-17s sweep Sweden aside

Tuesday, 27 March 2012

Vauxhall WU17 International Challenge Match

Scotland 4-2 Sweden

The Braidwood Motor Company Stadium, Livingston

Ness 27, 37, Grant 50, 77; Banusic 12, Petterssen 55

Zoe Ness and Abbi Grant sealed impressive performances by sharing the goals in a six goal thriller in Livingston.

There were fine displays across the pitch, as Scotland women's national coach Anna Signeul cast her eye across the next generation from the stand.

Scotland started the match in confident fashion, with Grant testing Swedish goalkeeper Caroline Hermansson from distance.

But Pauline Hamill's side found themselves a goal down on 12 minutes when Marija Banusic's tame shot somehow squirmed through the crowded penalty box and into the net.

Scotland immediately sought the equaliser. Grant and Ness both peppered the Swedish goal, with the latter drawing an impressive save from Hermansson, who was at full stretch to tip her shot over the bar.

Chloe Logan had to save at the feet of Madelen Janogy to stop the visitors increasing their lead, before Ness struck a double to put Scotland ahead at half time.

The Cestria FC forward controlled the ball inside the box and fired the ball into the net just before the half hour.

As an entertaining half drew to a close, she sent a glancing header past Hermansson.

Grant grabbed her first and Scotland's third early in the second half. Elizabeth Arnot sent in a looping cross from the corner flag for Grant to volley into the net.

There was a lengthy delay as Swedish scorer Banusic received treatment on the pitch for an ankle knock, and was eventually replaced by Hanna Sandstrom.

With Scotland in the ascendency, the visitors made the most of the break in play as Moa Petterssen got one back straight after the substitution.

Logan pulled off a series of impressive saves as Sweden pressed for the equaliser.

Grant got a deserved second goal to wrap up the win in the closing minutes, rising above the penalty box to head home.

Scotland:

Logan (GK), Knox (Cpt), McConnell, Crosbie, McKerlie, Nicol, Arnot, Graham, Richardson (Arthur, 60), Ness, Grant.

Unused subs: Fife (GK), Cairns, Lindsay, Heuchan,  Jackson, Kearney