Welcome to the latest edition of “Scots Abroad” and it has been back to the pitch for many in what has been a very busy last two weeks.
The WSL has been back in full swing over the last two weeks and Manchester City maintained their 100% record with a 3-0 win at Sunderland where Jenny Beattie contributed to another clean sheet while Jane Ross and Claire Emslie contributed to City’s attacking options. Erin Cuthbert started for Chelsea in their hard fought 1-0 victory over Everton to maintain the pressure at the top 2 pts behind the leaders.
In the battle of the Scots at the Select Security Stadium in Wigan it was Caroline Weir’s Liverpool who emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Bristol City who had Frankie Brown and Chloe Arthur in their ranks. The victory keeps Liverpool third in the league after Arsenal drew 0-0 at Reading. This was a repeat of the previous week’s Continental Cup semi-final which Arsenal edged 3-2. This time it was the defences on top with Lisa Evans and Emma Mitchell proving too resolute for the Reading attack.
In WSL 2 early pacemakers Doncaster Belles remain top after a comfortable victory over Brighton. Donny were inspired by a double from Kirsty Hanson who remains in fine goal scoring form. Also hitting the back of the net was “Scots Abroad” debutante Leigh Nichol who scored a spectacular long distance effort in Millwall’s 3-2 victory over Durham, who had Kathy Hill and Zoe Ness in their starting line-up. The goal was subsequently voted WSL 2 Goal of the Week. The win keeps Millwall hot on the tail of leaders Donny Belles while Durham, despite the defeat, remain in third.
In Italy the big game involved Lana Clelland who was back in action for UPC Tavagnacco in the top of the table clash with Juventus. In front of a large crowd it would be Juventus who emerged 2-1 victors with the defeat leaving UPC in third now 11 pts behind.
On Thursday 1st February it was also a top of the table clash in the WSL1. In a game featuring late appearances for Claire Emslie and Erin Cuthbert it was Jenny Beattie who starred for Man City in a solid defensive display which secured a 0-0 draw. While City lost their 100% record they will be the happier as they remain 2 pts clear at the top in a game that was shown live on BT Sports that was a great advert for the WSL.
It was SSE Women’s FA Cup action in England at the week-end and it was a goal fest for many of the “Scots Abroad”.
Caroline Weir scored as Liverpool eased into the next round, Claire Emslie hit the net as Man City secured a 2-0 win at Brighton, and Erin Cuthbert got a hat-trick in Chelsea’s comfortable win at London Bees. Chloe Arthur was also in goal scoring form but sadly Bristol lost 3-1 to Everton. Hopefully we will see more celebration dabs from Chloe on the clubs twitter feed!
In the draw for the 5th Round made this morning, the top four in the WSL managed to avoid each other, tie of the round will see Man City travel to Birmingham in a repeat of the 2017 final.
There are potentially two all “Scots Abroad” ties will see Erin Cuthbert’s Chelsea play Kirsty Hanson’s Donny Belles while Leigh Nichol will hope to repeat her goal scoring form against Arsenal.
Finally a quick mention to Becky Flaherty and Fran Kitching who faced off in opposing goals in the Liverpool and Watford FA Cup game. It is not often two young Scots keepers meet in competitive football abroad.
Is this a first? I am sure our readers will know.
