Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.10 2022-23

Panama u23 0
Scotland u23 2 (Harrison 31, J.Clark 58)
Scotland eased to a comfortable win against Panama in Jerez with goals from Abi Harrison
and Jenna Clark.
It was a first call-up and a first start for forward, Brogan Hay. Eartha Cummings
started in goal for the new look under-23 side, with Sophie Howard, Jenna Clark, Amy Muir
and Kirsty Smith in defence. Chloe Arthur, Sam Kerr and Erin Cuthbert played through the
middle with an attacking trident of Lauren Davidson, Brogan Hay and Abi Harrison.
Scotland were quick out of the blocks under the lights in Jerez. Captain Cuthbert split
the Panama defence in the opening two minutes but her pass couldn’t find Harrison in the
box. Two minutes later, Harrison was fouled on the edge of the area and Cuthbert’s
resulting free kick was low and hard but couldn’t find Harrison.
Scotland piled on the pressure inside the opening period, Kerr with another chance on
10 minutes but the midfielder’s powerful shot was saved by Bailey. Cuthbert came up with
another attempt on goal on 15 minutes, this time from distance but the shot was deflected
from inside the box.
Panama’s first real chance of the game came in the 24th minute when Baltrip Reyes
whipped the ball back on the left, Hernandez sending her shot high and wide from outside
the box causing no issues for Cumings.
Scotland broke the deadlock on the half hour mark, Smith with the low drive into the
centre of the box where Harrison knocked the ball home from close range.
Panama struggled to break Scotland down for much of the first half – Cumings got her
hands on the ball for the second time in the game in the 43rd minute - a shot from Salazar
which was straight at the Scotland goalkeeper.
Hay, who had been impressive in her first 45 minutes in a Scotland shirt, was causing
more problems for Panama down that right side with a shot right before half time which was
held by Bailey.
Harrison was substituted at half time after picking up a knock, she was replaced by
Kirsty Hanson. Scotland emerged for the second half looking to double their lead with a
sense of urgency. Davidson asking questions of the Panama defence on the left side, her
cross was deflected out for a corner in the 51st minute. Cuthbert swung the ball into the box
but no-one was able to capitalise.
Jenna Clark made it 2-0 to Scotland on the 58th minute after picking up Cuthbert’s
corner at the back post, driving the ball into the top corner from 6 yards.
Cedeno tested Cumings from distance on the 66th minute, but the shot was tipped over
the bar to protect Scotland’s 2-0 lead. Arthur made way for McAllister a few minutes later
for Scotland’s third substitution of the match.
Scotland retained control in the closing stages of the game, Cuthbert had a chance to
get a third goal on 77 minutes but her shot was tipped over the bar by Bailey. Cuthbert again
produced a shot on goal from 30 yards in the 86th minute, tipped around the post by Bailey.
A solid performance by Scotland’s under-23s to close out the game 2-0.
Scotland Under-23: Eartha Cumings, Sophie Howard, Jenna Clark, Amy Muir (sub Leah
Eddie 60mins), Kirsty Smith, Chloe Arthur (sub Rebecca McAllister 68mins), Samantha
Kerr, Erin Cuthbert, Abi Harrison (sub Kirsty Hanson 45mins), Lauren Davidson, Brogan
Hay. Subs not used: Erin Clachers, Rachel McLauchlan, Kelly Clark, Rachel Corsie, Nicola
Docherty, Caroline Weir, Christie Murray, Martha Thomas, Claire Emslie.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
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