Page 8 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No10 2020/21

Cyprus 0
Scotland 10 (Cuthbert 10,34, Thomas 22,71, Weir 25, Hanson 29, Arnot 57,
Emslie 64, J.Ross 69, 73)
Scotland bounced back to winning ways in emphatic fashion with an incredible 10-0 rout of
Cyprus.
Stuart McLaren's side were 5-0 up at the break and refused to let up, hitting double
figures in an incredibly dominant performance.
Erin Cuthbert, Martha Thomas and Jane Ross all grabbed doubles on a day where
Caroline Weir scored another incredible dink and Lisa Robertson made her Scotland debut.
Scotland went into the game on the back of three defeats and their intent to get back to
winning ways was evident right from the first whistle.
Erin Cuthbert and Martha Thomas were paired up front and both went close in the
opening minutes before Cuthbert scored the first after just 10 minutes, nodding home a Kirsty
Hanson cross.
In the first half Cyprus ventured into Scotland's half on a rare occasion, hitting the post
after 13 minutes. Nine minutes later however, Scotland scored their second with Martha Thomas
notching her third for her country in seven caps, converting a Lizzie Arnot cross.
Fresh from scoring a world class goal in the Manchester derby the previous Friday,
Caroline Weir was back doing it again, after 25 minutes. Picking the ball up at the edge of the
box she slalomed her way through defenders inside the box before cutely dinking the ball over
the despairing goalkeeper.
Kirsty Hanson had been a constant menace on the flank and she got in on the scoring
act before the half hour mark when she was released on the left and was able to hammer the ball
home.
Lizzie Arnot then hit the back of the net but her header was disallowed much to
Scotland's bemusement. Scotland did make it five before the break however when Erin Cuthbert
squeezed the ball beyond the goalkeeper from close range.
At the break, Lisa Robertson made her Scotland debut along with Natalie Ross who
played her first match for her country since 2009.
Scotland were dominant from the off once again and Lizzie Arnot was able to add her
name to the scoresheet converting an Erin Cuthbert cross.
Jane Ross emerged from the bench midway through the second half and immediately
made an impact, scoring from the spot.
Cyprus were out on their feet and struggled to deal with Scotland's intensity. Stuart
McLaren's side refused to relent though and in the 71st and 73rd minute they scored again. First
Martha Thomas hit her brace before Jane Ross scored her second of the afternoon to make it ten
for Scotland.
Cyprus: Maria Matthaiou, Maria Ioannou (sub Kyriaki Vasiliou 59mins), Victoria Zampa,
Georgia Xenofontos (sub Elena Aristodimou 64mins), Maria Panayiotou (sub Andria Michael
45mins), Antri Violari, Loucretia Chrysostomou (sub Christiana Solomou 58mins), Sara
Papadopoulou, Filippa Savva, Krystyna Freda, Efthalia Siakalli (sub Chara Charalambous
45mins). Subs not used: Ioanna Achilleos, Constantina Kouzali, Maria Toumazou, Korina
Paola Adamou, Georgia Antoniou, Stefania Iosifaki, Eirini Michail.
Scotland: Lee Alexander, Rachel McLauchlan, Rachel Corsie, Lucy Graham (sub Claire
Emslie 45mins), Caroline Weir (sub Lisa Robertson 45mins), Sophie Howard, Nicola
Docherty, Martha Thomas (sub Zoe Ness 75mins), Kirsty Hanson (sub Natalie Ross 45mins),
Erin Cuthbert (sub Jane Ross 64mins), Lizzie Arnot. Subs not used: Megan Cunningham,
Jenna Fife, Emma Mitchell, Jennifer Beattie, Rachael Boyle, Samantha Kerr, Lisa Evans.
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
Issue no. 10 - 4 March 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk