Vauxhall Women’s Under-17 International Challenge Match
Scotland 3-0 Republic of Ireland
Wednesday 2 September 2015, 7pm kick-off
Ainslie Park, Edinburgh

McDonald10’, Hay 28’ & 30’

Brogan Hay netted a double as the Women’s Under-17s won convincingly against the Republic of Ireland at Ainslie Park.

The Glasgow City star added to Kaela McDonald’s early opener with two finely taken first-half goals in a performance that showcased the team’s attacking prowess.

Every player in Pauline Hammill’s squad can be pleased with their contributions but Hay was the name on everyone’s lips as they left Spartan’s Edinburgh ground at full-time.

Scotland started brightly. Hay making a darting run down the left on 4 minutes before releasing the ball to Ellis Dalgliesh, who was lurking in the box. Unfortunately the Celtic striker was crowded out before she could make a clean strike at the ball.

The home fans were quickly back on their feet though as Scotland took the lead on 10 minutes. Celtic’s Kaela McDonald powering into the box from midfield before placing the ball into the net. A just reward for the team’s quick start to proceedings.

Hay was quickly causing the Irish defence a headache with her pace and acceleration down the left wing and was unlucky with a cut-inside and shot on 15 minutes.

Not long after she was causing trouble again, this time latching onto a pass from Lauren Gordon before sprinting away from her marker and prodding at goal. Ireland keeper Sophie Lenehen had to get down well to save.

On 28 minutes Scotland made it 2-0 and there was little surprise from the stands on the identity of the scorer. Hay again finding space down the left before firing the ball past Lenehen in the Irish goals to double the lead.

What came next had the whole crowd clapping (even the visiting fans). Hay found herself one-on-one in the box before pulling off a quite incredible flick that left the defender for dead. Her finish was just as good – neatly tucking the ball away at the near post to make it 3-0 on the half-hour mark.

Half-time certainly didn’t curb Scotland’s enthusiasm. Seconds after the restart Samantha Kerr and Hay combined well before playing a pass through to Shannon McGregor, who was unlucky with her shot from just inside the box.

The Republic of Ireland had a goal chalked off on 57 minutes so weren’t going down without a fight, but Scotland continued their domination into the second-half.

With the win all but sealed Pauline Hammill was able to give every outfield player given a run out as the game neared a conclusion.

Overall, a convincing performance from Scotland as they cruised to victory in their final match of 2015.

Scotland | Cumings (GK), McAlpine (Napier 53), Rice (Doran-Barr 58), Cunningham (Fraser 75), Cameron, Kerr(c), Dalgliesh, McGregor, Gordon (Farquhar, 64) McDonald (Notley 75), Hay (Gollan 65). Subs not used: Elliot (GK), Fraser

Rep. of Ireland | Lenehen, Green, Farrelly, Kavanagh, Noonan (c), Payne, O’Callaghan, Ruddy, Kiernan, Mannix, Doyle.