News

Women's under-17s hit five past Wales

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

UEFA Women's Under-17 Development Tournament
Scotland 5-0 Wales
Colovray Stadium, Nyon, Switzerland

Scotland finished the four-team development tournament unbeaten, and without conceding a single goal, after a comfortable win over Wales this afternoon.

Zoe Ness grabbed a hat trick, while Abbi Grant and Leigh Nicol, with her first international goal, were also on target.

Pauline Hamill's side dominated from the outset, but it looked as though they may rue their missed chances as the Welsh goalkeeper pulled off a string of impressive saves to keep her side in the match.

The breakthrough came in the final minute of the first half. Lizzie Arnot cut in from the right wing and delivered a cross-field ball to Grant. Her pass found Ness, who sent a left-footed strike into the bottom corner.

Scotland remained in charge after the break, and were far more clinical.

Ness, who also scored in Saturday's 3-0 win over Russia, collected the ball on the edge of the box, turned inside two defenders, and sent a powerful shot into the net.

Grant struck next to make it three. A cross from the right wing found the Forfar Farmington midfielder lurking at the back post. Her header hit the bar, but she collected the rebound and flicked the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.

Next up was Nicol, who opened her international account in some style. After good build up play down the left, a cross into the box was cleared as far as the Celtic midfielder, who unleashed a powerful 35-yard strike.

Cestria forward Ness made it five, and wrapped up her hat trick, with a late penalty.

14-year-old Carla Jackson jinked past the Welsh full back and was hauled back inside the box. Ness stepped up to score her fourth goal of the week as she duly dispatched the penalty into the bottom left corner.