Victory Shield
Scotland 1-1 Republic of Ireland (Scotland win 4-3 on penalties)
Tuesday, 8th October 2024
Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld

Scorers

Scotland 1 (Oliver Goodbrand 75’)

Republic of Ireland 1 (TJ Molloy 72’)

As It Happened

The first chance of the game fell to the away side, when Richard Farizaj whipped in a dangerous free kick from the right-hand side which was deflected wide of Kerr Reynolds’ right-hand post.

Republic of Ireland had another chance moments later as Dunne once again whipped in a dangerous ball, which narrowly evaded the onrushing Farizaj thanks to the deftest of touches by Jack Dalziel at the back post.

Despite a wave of early pressure from the visitors, it was the Scots who very nearly took the lead on 15 minutes. Jason Spelman played a slack back-pass which was intercepted by Caelan Cadamarteri. He slipped in Max Cameron who was eventually crowded out by the Irish defence. 

As the first half wore on Clarke’s side began to grow in confidence. It showed when Conor Daly drove with the ball through the heart of the Republic of Ireland midfield. He played a one-two with winger Alfie Hutchison, whose cross was eventually smothered by visiting keeper, Darragh Brunton.

The best chance of the first half fell to the Scots on 31 minutes. Hutchison was fouled on the right-hand side by Leighton Dempsey and from the resultant free-kick, Nathan Meechan whipped an inch-perfect cross into the box which was met by Jack Dalziel. Unfortunately for the Scots, the defender’s header went agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.

As the first half neared its end, Scotland began to dominate with several excellent passing exchanges through the thirds and their persistence very nearly paid off with the opening goal.

Alfie Hutchison won a throw-in deep in the attacking half. Cadamarteri, who had been a threat all game, dropped short to receive the ball with his back to goal and swivelled before unleashing a shot which was deflected onto Brunton’s near post.

From the resultant corner it was yet another near-miss for the home side. Meechan’s in-swinging cross was not properly dealt with and the ball dropped to Rocco Di Giacomo whose shot was saved by Brunton following an excellent recovery.  

That proved to be the last of the action as referee Cameron Stirling sounded the half-time whistle soon afterwards with the scores remaining level at 0-0.

Irish Manager Paul Osam turned to his substitutes bench at half time, bringing on Brody Collins to replace Farizaj in midfield.

Ireland’s danger man of the first half Dunne was proving a threat once again as the second half began and he cut in from the left-hand side, dribbling past two Scottish defenders before eventually shooting wide of the target from around 20 yards out.

The Scots then survived a lucky escape on 53 minutes as the Republic of Ireland as Dunne found himself in space on the left wing and was eventually faced up by Aaron McSporran inside the penalty box. The winger jinked past the Scot before firing a shot beyond the dive of Reynolds, though Scotland Skipper Oliver Goodbrand managed to clear off the line to prevent a certain goal.

It was then the turn of Stephen Clarke to look to his bench as he made four changes 20 minutes into the second half. Withdrawn were Rocco Di Giacomo, Conor Daly, Jack Dalziel and Alfie Hutchison. Replacing them were Ben Hutton, Lucas Weir, Stanley Wilson and Jamie Forrest. The changes gave Scotland some inpetus, but just as the hosts looked like they were beginning to regain control of the match they were hit with a sucker punch.

Joe Byrne cut inside from the right wing and whipped in a delightful left-footed cross into the box. The ball was met by the head of Samuel Ogungbe whose effort was saved brilliantly by Reynolds, then eventually cleared off the line but only to David Dunne on the left.

The resultant cross was met by the right boot of substitute TJ Molloy who’s shot squirmed into the back of the net to give Republic of Ireland the lead on 71 minutes.

In response, Clarke looked to his substitutes bench once more on 74 minutes as Nathan Meechan and Max Cameron were withdrawn, being replaced by Harlem McLaughlin and Connor Dow.

The visitors’ lead lasted only three minutes sub Lucas Weir played in an excellent cross from the right wing. The cross was deflected goalwards by a Republic of Ireland defender and was excellently saved by Brunton though the rebound fell to Scotland captain Oliver Goodbrand who was there to slam home to make it 1-1.

Moments after coming on Harlem McLaughlin was forced off with a shoulder injury in the 80th minute with Aaron Thompson coming on to replace him for the remaining minutes. The fourth official Thomas Denholm then subsequently indicated there would be a minimum of five additional minutes.

In the dying moments, Reynolds' chipped ball in was met by the head of defender Callan Hamill but his effort was saved comfortably by Brunton.

The full-Time whistle sounded with the scores level at 1-1. In a new addition to the Victory Shield, the match would be decided by penalty kicks with the winners receiving an extra bonus point.

Much like the match itself, the penalties were very even with some excellent finishing on display from both sides.

Scotland then drew first blood in the shootout when Reynolds saved brilliantly down to his right to deny Dunne. Weir, Spelman and Jamie Forrest all kept their cool leaving the score at 4-3 to the hosts.

Late second half substitute Samuel Ugungbe stepped up and blazed his spot kick over the crossbar resulting in Scotland being awarded the bonus point.

Either side would have the right to feel hard done by had they lost the game in normal time with both contributing to an excellent end-to-end 80 minutes of football. Scotland claim the bonus point to top the group ahead of Wales taking on Northern Ireland later on Tuesday afternoon.

Match Report by Mitchell Feggans

Next Up

Scotland Under-16s are in action again on Thursday morning when they face Northern Ireland in their second game of the Victory Shield at Broadwood Stadium.

Teams

Scotland: Reynolds, McSporran, Goodbrand, Dalziel (Hutton 61’), Hamill, Meechan (McLaughlin 74’) (Thompson 80’) , Hutchison (Weir 61’), Daly (Wilson 61’) , Cadamarteri, Di Giacomo (Forrest 61’), Cameron (Dow 74’)

Unused Substitutes: Vickery, Hay

Republic of Ireland: Brunton, Gabbidon (Prizeman 79’), Dempsey, Speight, Dumigan, Spelman, Dunne, Sullivan (Molloy 63’), Armstrong (Ogungbe 70’), Farizaj (Collins 45’), Byrne

Unused Substitutes: McGrath, Ikechukwu, Burke, Greene,  Moloney