Northern Ireland Women lost by three goals to nil to Scotland in a friendly international in Dundee this evening.
All three goals were scored within a seven-minute period in the latter part of the first half.
Northern Ireland produced a gritty performance in the challenge match, however a strong Scotland side created more chances and deserved their success.
Torrential rain poured down for most of the 90-plus minutes at the Kilmac Stadium (Dens Park).
Northern Ireland kept Scotland at bay for just over half an hour in front of 5148 spectators, however once the Scots got their noses in front they turned on the power and style in the driving rain.
Rebecca Holloway produced a fine covering tackle to prevent Scotland striker Martha Thomas getting a shot away early on.
Caragh Hamilton had a great run down the right flank and fed Simone Magill who in turn teed up Rachel Furness, however her shot from the edge of the area was blocked.
Down the other end Northern Ireland keeper Shannon Turner pulled off two saves in quick succession, firstly from a Caroline Weir drive and then from an Erin Cuthbert snapshot.
Scotland’s Kirsty Hanson fired a dangerous cross into the area as the home side, enjoying the bulk of the possession, pushed forward in search of an opener.
Turner did well to push out a low Cuthbert shot after the lively midfielder broke from deep to get on the end of an Emma Watson cross.
Northern Ireland had a let-off when a Hanson delivery was met by Weir inside the box and her shot flashed across the face of goal to the back post where the ball bounced off Cuthbert and Thomas before it was cleared.
Scotland took the lead minutes later, however, when Watson fed Cuthbert and she slammed the ball into the bottom corner on 32 minutes.
Turner had to be on her toes again to push away an attempted clearance from Joely Andrews, and she was quickly called into action once more to push a low drive from Nicola Docherty around the post.
From the resulting corner Scotland got their second. Weir’s delivery was met by Sam Kerr, whose header hit Demi Vance’s back and dropped into the net.
Goal number three was not far away. Hanson fired in a cross down the left which hit the onrushing Thomas and dropped into the net on 39 minutes.
As half-time approached Furness produced a dipping effort from distance which clipped the upright and then Cuthbert produced a superb block to send Joely Andrews’ strike from the rebound over the top.
Just after the break Thomas fired a shot over the bar as Scotland kept up the pressure and the intensity.
Northern Ireland played much better after the break - despite the atrocious conditions.
Vance delivered a dangerous cross which was pushed out by Scotland keeper Lee Gibson, while Holloway’s long range shot drifted over the top.
In the 68th minute Hamilton appeared to be bundled over in the box, however the ref waved away the penalty appeal, and then an Andrews effort flew over the bar as Northern Ireland enjoyed a good spell of possession.
Towards the end of the game Fi Morgan made her senior debut for Northern Ireland, replacing Sarah McFadden at the heart of the defence.
Right at the death substitute Caitlin McGuinness fed the ball to fellow sub Danielle Maxwell but her close range shot was palmed away by Gibson. And then Morgan put a header over the bar as the game petered out.
Scotland: Lee Gibson, Nicola Docherty, Emma Mukandi, Sophie Howard, Emma Watson, Erin Cuthbert, Caroline Weir (captain), Martha Thomas, Kirsty Hanson, Samantha Kerr. Substitutes: (used) Amy Rodgers, Lauren Davidson, Lisa Evans, Rachel McLauchlan, Kelly Clark, Kirsty MacLean; (unused) Jenna Fife (GK), Eartha Cumings (GK), Brogan Hay, Jenna Clark, Amy Muir, Jamie-Lee Napier.
Northern Ireland: Shannon Turner, Rebecca McKenna, Demi Vance, Sarah McFadden (captain), Rebecca Holloway, Caragh Hamilton, Chloe McCarron, Joely Andrews, Simone Magill, Rachel Furness, Lauren Wade. Substitutes: (used) Marissa Callaghan, Danielle Maxwell, Megan Bell, Caitlin McGuinness, Fi Morgan, Emily Wilson; (unused) Rachael Norney (GK), Lilie Woods (GK), Kelsie Burrows, Nadene Caldwell, Kerry Beattie, Emma McMaster.
