Youth Cup
Scotland women win in Aberdeen
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Women’s International Challenge Match
Cameroon 0-2 Scotland
Sunday 15th July 2012
Chris Anderson Stadium, Aberdeen Sports Village
Beyene og 35', Love 88'
Aberdeen provided a warm welcome as Scotland women defeated Cameroon 2-0 in their first ever match in the Granite City.
A bizarre own goal from Ariane Bebey Beyene and a 25-yard lob from captain Joanne Love sealed the win.
There were first caps for under-19 stars Eilish McSorley and Lana Clelland, as Scotland put in a solid performance ahead of the remaining UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifiers in September.
Cameroon are based at Aberdeen Sports Village as they prepare for the Olympics, and were the hosts for this match.
A physical and athletic challenge was anticipated and the African side didn't disappoint.
Amid sporadic downpours and occasional thunder and lightning, Cameroon's speedy number seven Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene posed an early threat down the right.
But hometown girl Rachael Small harried well to put the talented midfielder off her stride.
Scotland, 21st in the world rankings and on course for a UEFA Women's Euro 2013 play-off spot showed their resilient qualities.
This was epitomised by centre-back Rhonda Jones, whose organisation of the back-line and reading of the game snuffed out several dangerous crosses from the flanks.
Although the pitch was in immaculate condition, passes skimming off the wet surface made for a stop-start opening half hour.
The game took a bizarre turn on 35 minutes as Suzanne Grant - back from injury - felled a Cameroon defender on the edge of the hosts' 18-yard box.
Confusion reigned as the resultant free-kick was hit over keeper Annette Flore Ngo Ndom by number ten Ariane Bebey Beyene and into the net.
Scotland were one up without posing any significant threat.
Hibernian goalkeeper Shannon Lynn was given a rare start as veteran Gemma Fay suffered a dislocated finger earlier in the week.
She commanded her area well, and she had to, such were the regularity of crosses into her box throughout the match.
Cameroon, urged on by a passionate and vibrant support, were playing with little shape and this allowed Scotland to contain them for the majority of the second half.
The busy Megan Sneddon and Love bossed the central midfield areas, no mean feat considering the athleticism of the Cameroonians.
Small and fellow Aberdonian Rebecca Dempster were well supported by the 1000 crowd.
Small provided them with something to shout about in the final 15 minutes as she made a mazy run down the left flank. Her cross was fumbled, but then recovered by Ndom.
Not long after, a piece of brilliance from Love sealed victory.
Teeing herself up, the Scotland captain created the opportunity for a 25 yard lob which landed into the top right corner of the net.
Scotland: Lynn (Gk), Jones, Small (Doherty 75'), McSorley, Ross (Dempster 72'), Love (Cpt), Sneddon, Lappin, Grant (Clelland 64'), Brown, Mitchell (Thomson 53')
Subs not used: Ramsay (Gk)
Attendance: 1000
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