Luxembourg 1-3 Scotland: Women’s Under-16 International Challenge Match
Scotland’s Women’s under-16s recorded an impressive 3-1 victory in rain soaked Bettembourg in Luxembourg last night thanks to goals from Keira Johnstone, Joanne Rae and Amy Gallacher.
Every player in the 18-strong Scotland squad was given game time, including seven 14-year-olds – Gallacher, Rae, Donna Paterson, Emily Morton, Colette Cavanagh, Kelsey Boyle and Eartha Cummings.
In the 9th minute, after some good combination play in midfield, Johnstone raced through the home defence to fire in to the bottom corner.
Scotland doubled their advantage after 21 minutes when Gallacher cut the ball across the box to the back post for Rae to send in a low shot.
Luxembourg pulled one back just before half-time, but Scotland extended their lead just one minute after the restart when Claire Adams won possession in midfield and sent the ball in for Gallacher to score.
Scotland women’s under-16 coach, Michelle Barr, said: “It was a great win for us against an older group of players. Luxembourg were quite a physical side, but we coped with the challenge well and scored three very good goals.
“We were here for a couple of days and had some really good training sessions, so the preparations were excellent.
“Only a handful of this squad have represented Scotland at any level, so it was a very good experience for the players, and I’m pleased that we were able to give everyone game time.
“It’s really enjoyable as a coach to work with players at this age group. When you see the genuine joy from players like 14-year old goal keeper Eartha Cummings, who came on for the last ten minutes or so to make her first appearance, you know they are determined to work hard and keep earning the chance to have experiences like this.”
Scotland
Hamilton (GK) (Cummings (GK), 72), Ross (Morton, 51), Michie, Cowper, Paterson (Kelly, 66), Lynch (Cpt), Johnstone (Boyle, 66), Adams (Gilfoyle, 72), Gallacher, Rae (Nicol, 51), Davis (Cavanagh, 56)