Scotland Women continued their good run of form with a 4-3 win over the Netherlands in the Cyprus Women’s Cup at the GSP Stadium, Nicosia yesterday.
Wearing the much talked about new adidas away strip Anna Signeul made one change to the team that drew 1-1 with France, resting Ifeoma Dieke with Glasgow City’s Nicola Docherty brought into the side for a starting debut at left back – which meant Hayley Lauder moving to left midfield and – hugely significantly – Evans going up front to partner Jane Ross. Rachel Corsie dropped back from midfield to replace Dieke in a 4-4-2 line up.
Lisa Evans put the Scots ahead in the 15th minute with a fierce right foot shot from 20 yards then added a second after rising to meet a cross from Hayley Lauder. Her header hit the bar but she was alert enough to fire the rebound home.
Her hat trick arrived thanks to a blunder by Dutch defensive midfielder Tessel Middag, who allowed Evans to dispossess her just outside the box and the Scots were three ahead after just 33 minutes.
Scotland then came very close to adding two more through Beattie and Jane Ross before Holland got back into the game with two goals just before half time through Renee Slegers and Lieke Martens.
Holland almost grabbed an equaliser but Docherty did well to clear off the line from Melis just after the interval. A minute later Scotland gave themselves some much-needed breathing space when Beattie scored from five yards following a corner.
Melis provided a cool finish to make the score 4-3 and the Dutch fought hard to secure a draw but the Scots held on for the victory.
After the game Scotland coach Signeul said: “We had a fantastic start and Lisa’s goals were brilliantly taken.” Then I think the French game on Wednesday night showed in our legs and in our minds.
“To keep Holland to 1-1 in the second half when we were really tired was very encouraging. It showed we could stand up to them and that was a great achievement.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
