Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.4 2021-22

Perfect start for Scotland

Hungary 0
Scotland 2 (Cuthbert 17, Thomas 72)
Scotland delivered the perfect start for new boss Pedro Martinez Losa as they got began their quest
for 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualification with a 2-0 victory over Hungary in Budapest.
Scotland went close early on with Cuthbert jinking her way through the Hungary penalty area.
Her lofted cross to the back post found Jane Ross, however she was crowded out and couldn't get
her header away.
After a delightful lofted pass from Jane Ross, Cuthbert found herself through on goal once
more where she was hauled down in the area by Turanyi, leaving the referee no choice but to award
a penalty. Cuthbert saw her spot kick saved down to the keepers left, but she was there to follow up
on the rebound, giving Scotland their first goal under their new manager on the 17 minute mark.
Lee Alexander was called upon soon after denying Zeller with quick movement off her line
after a slick move from the home side. The Scotland goalkeeper cut out the danger once more
comfortably collecting a lofted ball into the box.
A close offside call then went in favour of the Hungarian defence after Jane Ross looked to
have beaten the offside trap. The lineswoman had no hesitation raising the flag in what was a
certain goalscoring opportunity for the Scots. Alexander made another magnificent save getting
a strong left hand to Sipos' long range effort - which certainly had some movement on it. The
resultant corner was dealt with by the Scotland defence and cleared with little threat to Alexander's
goal.
Scotland had a chance to double their lead on the stroke of half time. A fantastic through ball
by Cuthbert found Ross with space in the box, however her low effort curled wide of the far post
with the final chance of the half.
Scotland started the second half in a menacing mood. Good work by Claire Emslie down the
left flank resulted in a dangerous ball into the Hungarian penalty area, but the ball was cleared well
by the defence. Kirsty Hanson was also keen to take on her opponent, a strong run down the
right-hand side allowing her space for the shot, which was tipped round the post by Szocs.
Scotland again almost doubled their lead after a fine cross from Emslie. Cuthbert was there to
meet the delivery, but her diving header was blocked by Jane Ross to stop it heading goalward.
Seconds after coming on just after the hour mark, Martha Thomas had a chance to get her
name on the scoresheet, almost getting to the ball before the Hungarian goalkeeper. Cuthbert's
corner was then unintentionally flicked on by Vago, with the midfielder almost diverting the ball
into her own net only to be denied by the bar.
Scotland gave themselves the cushion their second half dominance warranted with just over
20 minutes to go. Emslie's corner was met by Martha Thomas and her header from the middle of
the area was nodded into the far corner to double Scotland's advantage.
Emslie was almost on the scoresheet late on after a square ball across the box from Thomas
found her in acres of space in front of an open goal, however her effort was sent just wide of the post.
Thomas then spurned a glorious chance to get her name on the scoresheet in the dying embers
of the match as she was put through on goal. With Clelland demanding the cut back for a tap in,
Thomas opted to go alone, her low shot failing to beat the Hungarian keeper.
Hungary: Reka Szocs, Laura Kovács, Lilla Turanyi, Viktoria Szabó, Anna Csiki (sub Loretta
Nemeth 51mins), Virag Nagy (sub Petra Kocsan 75mins), Fanny Vago, Henrietta Csiszar, Dora
Zeller (sub Adrienn Olah 75mins), Fanni Vachter (sub Diana Csanyi 59mins), Lilla Sipos. Subs not
used: Dorottya Czellér, Sara Pusztai, Evelin Eros, Kinga Boros, Barbara Biró, Emese Szakonyi,
Fanni Nagy, Eszter Csigi.
Scotland: Lee Alexander, Rachel McLauchlan, Rachel Corsie, Jennifer Beattie, Nicola Docherty,
Cristy Grimshaw (sub Rachael Boyle 78mins), Lisa Robertson (sub Chloe Arthur 90mins), Kirsty
Hanson (sub Lana Clelland 61mins), Erin Cuthbert, Claire Emslie (sub Lauren Davidson 90mins),
Jane Ross (sub Martha Thomas 62mins). Subs not used: Samantha Kerr, Eartha Cumings,
Brianna Westrup, Jenna Fife, Sophie Howard, Lizzie Arnot, Jenna Clark.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
Issue no. 4 - 23 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk