UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship – Round 1
Scotland 1 – 0 Northern Ireland
Friday, 4 October 2024
Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld

Score

Scotland 1 (Burn 88’)

Northern Ireland 0

Team news…

There were 4 changes to the side that faced Iceland in the opening match. Dawson, McDonald, Fraser and English made way for McStay, Hayes, Crawford and Selbie.

As it happened…

Scotland got proceedings underway in the second of three round one European qualifiers. Michael McArdle’s team had the first clear cut chance of the game inside the first 10 minutes, Burn whipped in a free-kick from the right, McStay the recipient who couldn’t get her header on target.

Scotland continued to pursue the opening goal as Husband took aim from distance on 14 minutes, the defender’s shot whistled past the far post. Northern Ireland were forced to sit deep and absorb lots of early pressure as Scotland continued with the high press. McGoldrick was next with an attempt on goal, Northern Ireland goalkeeper Abbie Smith collected the long range shot with ease.

Gail Redmond’s side grew into the game and secured more possession around the half-hour mark, forward Ava Hurl tried to carve out a few opportunities but McStay and Boyce were alert to the danger.

The remainder of the half was played out fairly evenly with neither side able to break the deadlock. Scotland made a double switch at half-time, goal-scorers against Iceland, English and McDonald replaced Selbie and Hayes.

Both impact players created chances inside the opening quarter of the second-half but neither posing any real trouble for the Northern Ireland stopper. English carved her way through the Northern Irish defence on 67 minutes and picked out Sharkey in the middle but Hutchinson and Karrabecaj combined to clear.

Ositelu replaced Crawford on 68 minutes as Scotland remained resolute in their quest for an opening goal. 5 minutes later Husband weaved into the box and cut back the ball to Ositelu who delivered a powerful strike, Smith was at full stretch to deny Scotland.

McGoldrick was replaced by Syrjanen with 10 minutes to go and despite dominating possession, Scotland were still unable to break the deadlock. The much anticipated goal came with 2 minutes of regulation time remaining, Husband delivered a powerful corner-kick to Burn at the back post who drilled the ball beneath and beyond Smith.  

Scotland retained possession well for the duration of the 5 minutes injury time and secured a well deserved victory against a determined Northern Ireland side. The young team head into the final game of the round one qualifiers against Poland on Monday with six points and two clean sheets as well as progression to round two secured.

Post-match reaction:

Left-back and goal-scorer, Orla Burn: “We found it tough out there today, Northern Ireland were right on top of us from the first whistle so it’s great to come out of that with the win, six points and back-to-back clean sheets. It’s an unbelievable achievement to secure progress to round two, we’re all absolutely delighted.

“I remember being at the back post,” added Orla. “The ball came off my stomach and it wasn’t the best first touch, but I managed to get my shot away into the bottom corner. I was on the ground so I didn’t actually see the ball go in but I knew when everyone was running towards me that it was good, it was an amazing feeling.

“To score for the team means so much and it feels like all of the hard work has been worth it. It’s the best feeling ever and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”

Teams

Scotland: Galt, Husband, McStay, Boyce ©, McGoldrick (Syrjanen 80’), Sharkey (Fraser 91’), Black, Burn, Hayes (English 46’), Crawford (Ositelu 68’), Selbie (McDonald 46’)

Unused subs: Armitage, Stewart, Young, Dawson

Northern Ireland: Smith ©, Hassan, Beckinsdale, Hutchinson, Pollock, Kelly, Havern, Hurl, Campbell, Karrabecaj, Horner