Match Reports :- SCOTLAND v BELGIUM - Sunday, 26 Aug 2007
HAT TRICK FOR FLEETING IN SCOTLAND FRIENDLY
Scotland played Belgium today in a Tennent’s International Challenge Match at McDiarmid Park winning 3-2 thanks to a hat trick from Scotland striker, Julie Fleeting.
The first half saw Scotland with the majority of the pressure with several chances of goal but the excitement came in the second half with Belgium player Kristel Verelst opening the scoring at 55 minutes.
Belgium were not in the lead for long as Julie Fleeting scored minutes later and went on to score a hat trick within 6 minutes of first scoring.
The match is part of the Women’s ‘A’ squad preparation for their UEFA Cup Qualification double header away to Slovakia on Saturday 27 October and then home to Denmark (ranked 6th in the world) on Wednesday 31 October at McDiarmid Park.
Currently Scotland sit joint third in Group 5 with Portugal, behind leaders Ukraine and Slovakia.VIEW FULL PHOTO REPORT HERE
Scotland Women’s A Squad
Gemma Fay Hibernian LFC; Julie Ferguson Hibernian LFC (Joelle Murray Hibernian LFC (87); Stacey Cook Hibernian LFC (Amanda Burns Hibernian LFC (59); Amy McDonald Queens Park LFC; Michelle Kerr Hibernian LFC; Joanne Love Celtic LFC (Suzanne Lappin Glasgow City LFC (90); Megan Sneddon Glasgow City LFC; Julie Fleeting Arsenal LFC; Pauline Hamill Hibernian LFC (Suzanne Grant (77); Leanne Ross Glasgow City LFC (Kirsty McBride Hibernian LFC (75); Kim Little Hibernian LFC.*************************************************************************************************************************************
The match commemorated the first Scottish women's footballer to reach 100 caps, as Pauline Hamill was honoured before and after the game. Everyone extended the warmest of congratulations to Pauline on her fantastic achievement.
The game itself was a rather strained contest in the first half. Belgium kept lots of players behind the ball and Scotland struggled to break them down, resulting in a goalless first half. However, the match came to life when Belgium took the lead with a fine opportunistic chip from the right side of the 18 yard box over Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay. This galvanised the Scots, who fought back with a hat trick in 6 minutes from national top scorer Julie Fleeting. The first goal was a fine combination involving whiz-kid Kim Little, who put Fleeting on a one to one with the Belgian keeper and the ball was tucked away.Deadlocked at 1-1, Amy McDonald picked up the ball in her own half and chose to skip past one Belgian tackle and before she knew it she had driven 30 yards with the ball. McDonald continued to drive down the left hand side, with great movement from Kim Little taking the Belgian markers away. Amy still had work to do, and ghosted past two further tackles before sliding the ball across the box to Julie Fleeting, who was upended for the penalty.
Scotland's 3rd saw another fine contribution from McDonald, whose confidence was sky high. Having collected the ball, again on the halfway line, Amy drove forward and whilst everyone expected her to send Little flying away down the left, she checked back inside and floated a beautiful pass over the entire Belgian defence for Julie Fleeting to latch onto and finish with aplomb.
With the score at 3-1, Scotland took the foot off the gas slightly and allowed Belgium to score again in injury time but the victory was secure.*************************************************************************************************************************************
Scotland play Belgium in a Tennent’s International Challenge Match on Sunday 26 August, at McDiarmid Park, kick off 2pm.
The day marks an historic occasion for women’s football in Scotland as Pauline Hamill, one of Scotland’s most longstanding players, will be reaching her greatest football milestone, making her 100th appearance for Scotland.
Brought up in Airdrie, Pauline made her debut against England in 1992 at the age of 20 and currently plays for Hibernian LFC and works as a Football Development Officer for Falkirk Football Club.
To commemorate her achievement there will be a special presentation prior to the match against Belgium.
Pauline Hamill commented on this momentous occasion: "For the first female to get to 100 caps it is a real honour and I can’t believe it’s me. I am happy to reach my 100 caps. However I am even happier for those who supported me on my journey….my mum, dad and partner and I thank them for helping me along the way. It’s been an amazing journey."
National Coach, Anna Signeul is extremely proud of Pauline who is highly regarded and has been a player that she can rely on in terms of her commitment.
"It is a big personal sacrifice to play for your country as well as working full time, but the players are all committed to playing for their country."
Looking to the match ahead against Belgium, it is part of the Women’s ‘A’ squad preparation for their UEFA Cup Qualification Double Header away to Slovakia on Saturday 27 October and then home to Denmark (ranked 6th in the world) on Wednesday 31 October at McDiarmid Park.
Currently Scotland sit joint third in Group 5 with Portugal behind leaders Ukraine and Slovakia and Scotland are looking ahead with confidence to their challenging match against Belgium.
Scotland Squad
Gemma Fay Hibernian LFC
Claire Johnstone Thor Akureyri FC
Julie Ferguson Hibernian LFC
Michelle Kerr Hibernian LFC
Amy McDonald Queens Park LFC
Joelle Murray Hibernian LFC
Leanne Ross Glasgow City LFC
Amanda Burns Hibernian LFC
Stacey Cook Hibernian LFC
Nichola Grant Hamilton Academical LFC
Kim Little Hibernian LFC
Joanne Love Celtic LFC
Kirsty McBride Hibernian LFC
Megan Sneddon Glasgow City LFC
Hollie Thomson Hamilton Academical LFC
Julie Fleeting Arsenal LFC
Suzanne Grant Hibernian LFC
Pauline Hamill Hibernian LFC*************************************************************************************************************************************
