Narrow French defeat consigns Scotland U18W to second division

 


In Utrecht Scotland`s girls valiant attempt to survive among
Europe`s elite finally stumbled when they went down 2-1 to France
in the final relegation pool match of the European Nations
Championships..  Needing to win by three goals to guarantee
survival, the Scots had early chances to take the lead but it was
the French who opened in 15 minutes.   Undaunted the Scots
youngsters retaliated, Mairi Drummond and Kike Lawal  created
the opening down the right, the ball was squared to Sarah Robertson
who scored from around the penalty spot.   But the French
reclaimed the lead with a strike just two minutes from the
interval.

In the second half the Scots went into all-out attack mode in
search of these crucial goals, and good chances fell to Lawal,
Louise Campbell, Bethan Mann and Heather Howie, but no further
goals and relegation.

But coach Colin Clarke was far from disappointed with his charges`
performance in Utrecht.  “I was very proud of all the girls
and the work they put into all the games.  We needed to win by
three goals to stay up and we controlled most of the match, but the
French hit us on the counter-attack.

“I feel we are now equipped to compete at this level, our opening
3-0 defeat flattered the Belgians, we should have taken something
from the game against Ireland and the Dutch are the Dutch.  We
then beat Spain, our first victory at this level and we had our
chances to see off the French but to chase the three vital three
goals was just a bit too much.”

Scotland U18W valiant attempt to survive among Europe`s
elite was thwarted when they went down 2-1 to France in the final
relegation pool match of the European U18 Championship in
Utrecht.

Needing to win by three goals to guarantee survival, the Scots
had early chances to take the lead but it was the French who opened
in 15 minutes.

Undaunted the Scottish youngsters retaliated; Mairi Drummond and
Kike Lawal created the opening down the right and the ball was
squared to Sarah Robertson who scored from around the penalty spot.
Unfortunately, the French reclaimed the lead with a strike just two
minutes from the interval.

In the second half the Scots went into all-out attack mode in
search of these crucial goals, and good chances fell to Lawal,
Louise Campbell, Bethan Mann and Heather Howie, but no further
goals were scored in the match, meaning that Scotland will be
relegated to the second division.

But coach Colin Clarke was far from disappointed with his
charges` performance in Utrecht:

“I was very proud of all the girls and the work they put into
all the games.  We needed to win by three goals to stay up and
we controlled most of the match, but the French hit us on the
counter-attack.

“I feel we are now equipped to compete at this level, our
opening 3-0 defeat flattered the Belgians, we should have taken
something from the game against Ireland and the Dutch, well, are
the Dutch.  We then beat Spain, our first victory at this
level and we had our chances to see off the French but to chase the
three vital three goals was just a bit too much.”

 

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