Page 7 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.4 2021-22

Seven up at Hampden

Scotland 7 (Cuthbert 19, Arthur 20,28, Grimshaw 38, Thomas 60, Clark
80, Emslie 82)
Faroe Islands 1 (Biskopstø 48)
Scotland ran riot as they marked their Hampden homecoming with a convincing 7-1 win over the
Faroe Islands.
Scotland pressed for an early opener with Jane Ross getting on the end of a cross from Nicola
Docherty but was forced wide by the Faroe defence. Moments later, the striker went close again
with a looping header dropping just over the bar.
Claire Emslie was dominant down the left flank in what was a controlled opening quarter for
the Scots. Her low cross on the 13th minute mark almost found its way through to Grimshaw at the
back post, but the Faroe defence stood strong.
Scotland’s pressure finally paid off after 19 minutes. Erin Cuthbert took the ball nicely on the
half turn before finding herself in space 25 yards out. Her left footed strike from range beat the
Faroese keeper all ends up – sailing high into the net.
It was the quick one-two for Pedro Martinez Losa’s side, with Chloe Arthur giving the Scots a
2-0 lead less than a minute later. Jane Ross whipped in a delightful cross which Arthur met to nod
home from inside the penalty area to score her first international goal.
Scotland were soon out of sight as Chloe Arthur helped herself to her second of the evening.
Rachel Corsie’s cross from deep once again found Arthur, who nodded home at the back post to give
the Scots a well deserved 3-0 lead.
38 minutes on the clock and Scotland added their fourth goal of the evening. Another teasing
cross to the back post, this time from Nicola Docherty found Grimshaw, who did well to turn the
ball home from a tight angle.
The away side began the second half well, putting pressure on the Scotland back line and
winning an early corner. The cross was delivered short to the front post where Biskopstø nodded
home from close range to convert the Faroese first effort on target after 48 minutes.
Kirsty Hanson looked to get involved after coming off the bench. Just before the hour mark,
the Manchester United forward found herself with space to drive at the Faroe defence, her tidy
footwork opened up a shooting opportunity, but she sent the shot just past the bar.
It was only moments later that Scotland added their fifth of the evening. A high ball was neatly
brought down by Arthur on the edge of the area before teeing up Martha Thomas who swivelled and
drilled the ball low past Joensen.
There was a special moment after 67 minutes as Jenna Clark replaced Jennifer Beattie to mark
her Scotland debut. Clark’s night would soon get even better when she found herself on the end of
Cuthbert’s teasing delivery into the box. The young defender cooly brought the ball under control
before finishing low under the onrushing Joensen to give the Scots a 6-1 lead after 80 minutes.
Just two minutes later, congestion on the edge of the Faroese penalty area let to a free kick for
a suspected handball. Cuthbert, who had gone close earlier from a set piece, left the ball to Claire
Emslie who made no mistake in curling the ball into the far corner to give the Scots their seventh
goal of the evening.
A comfortable 7-1 victory at their new home means Scotland take maximum points from
September’s qualifiers. One major concern for Martinez Losa comes in the shape of Erin Cuthbert
– who was stretchered off on 90 minutes following a nasty collision. The Hampden Roar was in full
voice as she left the field whilst being announced as the player of the match.
Scotland: Lee Alexander, Rachel McLauchlan, Nicola Docherty (sub Kirsty Hanson 45mins),
Rachel Corsie, Jennifer Beattie (sub Jenna Clark 67mins), Lisa Robertson (sub Lana Clelland
45mins), Christy Grimshaw (sub Rachael Boyle 78mins), Jane Ross (sub Martha Thomas
45mins), Chloe Arthur, Claire Emslie, Erin Cuthbert. Subs not used: Jenna Fife, Eartha Cumings,
Sophie Howard, Brianna Westrup, Lauren Davidson, Lizzie Arnot.
Faroe Islands: Oluva Joensen, Rakul Maria Johannesen, Sarita Mittfoss, Birita Ryan, Maria
Lakjuni, Olga Kristina Hansen (sub Tora Mohr 72mins), Julia Mortensen, Heidi Sevdal (sub
Torunn Højgaard Joensen 89mins), Jensa Tórolvsdóttir, Asla Johannesen, Maria Biskopstø (sub
Durita Hummeland 65mins). Subs not used: Monika Biskopstø, Sanna Svarvadal Jacobsen,
Sunnva Fagradal Johansen, Katrina Hansen, Valborg Østerø.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
Issue no. 4 - 23 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk