Scotland 3-0 Andorra
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier
Thursday, 6 September 2018, 7.30pm kick-off
Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh

Scotland: Fraser Hornby (45 P) (69) (83)

Scotland Under-21s recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Andorra where Everton striker Fraser Hornby was the star of the show, notching a memorable hat-trick.

Scot Gemmill named an experienced team to face Andorra in what was set to be a tough task against a side who they drew with back in March.

Scotland looked dangerous early on, buoyed by their second successive semi-final appearance at the Toulon Tournament in the summer.

Everton’s Fraser Hornby was busy in the opening exchanges and had three early chances to take the lead but he was thwarted by the Andorra’s goalkeeper, Iker who was in inspired form.

Stephen Mallan was close to scoring too, through a free-kick after 15 minutes but once again the Andorran goalkeeper was equal to it.

Scotland continued to pepper the Andorran goal with attacks and they received their just rewards right on half-time.

A cross ball was aimed for Ryan Porteous in the box and he was fouled, with a penalty awarded.

The towering Hornby showed great composure and finished the spot-kick coolly into the net.

17-year-old Billy Gilmour looked extremely comfortable and composed throughout his first qualification match, passing the ball freely and constantly receiving the ball in space.

The Chelsea midfielder was the provider for Scotland’s second when a delicious left footed cross was met by the head of Hornby who smashed the ball into the net. 

Hornby deservedly picked up the Player of the Match and in the last ten minutes he completed his hat-trick when a Chris Cadden ball was knocked into the box and the 18-year-old was onto it in a flash, finishing calmly.

In the dying moments, Lewis Ferguson was close to making it four but his left footed drive inside the box was met by a strong block from his foot.

What’s next?

Scotland now travel to The Netherlands for Tuesday’s match in Doetinchem.

They will then take on Ukraine on 12 October, before Scotland host England in the final match of the campaign at Tynecastle.

Watch the game again

Scotland: Fulton, Smith, Bates, Porteous, Hornby (Shaw, 85), Johnston, Mallan (Campbell, 72), Gilmour (Ferguson, 76), Cadden, Williamson, Ross, McCrorie (Captain)

Unused substitutes: Robby McCrorie, McIntyre, Ferguson, Ross, Magennis

Andorra: Iker, De Pablos, Bove (Pijuan, 74), Garcia, Martinez (Vales, 87), Reyes (Del Castillo, 81), Fernandez, Nazzaro, Grau Samper, Viladot (Captain), Pomares

Unused substitutes: Pires, Maria Cabanes, Sanchez, Gullen

Attendance: 2,125

Under-19s also in action

Scotland Under-19s were also in action on Thursday, winning 3-1 away to Poland.

Trailing 1-0 at half time, Elliot Watt equalised for Scotland before Zak Rudden and Jack Aitchison scored the goals to give the Under-19s the win. 

They play Poland again on Sunday, 9 September.