Scotland 2-0 Poland: Five out of five for Scots

SECOND-half goals from on-form Lisa Evans and substitute Leanne Crichton kept Scotland on course for next year’s World Cup in Canada.

Leanne Crichton (No.10) is congratulated after scoring Scotlands second goal. Photograph: Alan Harvey/SNS Group

Anna Signeul’s side now have maximum points from the opening five games, including home and away wins over Poland.

Although the game was not nearly as open as the away tie, which Scotland won 4-0, there was never much doubt where the points were going, even if it took Evans 51 minutes to break the deadlock.

“It was a solid performance,” Signeul said. “There are expectations on the players to perform at a high level all the time and that’s not so easy to do, especially in must-win games. If we had scored a goal from one of our two early chances there would have been more, but Poland are a good team and it’s difficult to break down a side which is sitting in deep.

“Lisa had a fantastic finish and a great second half. We tried to find her to get her in behind the Poland defence and she did that for the goal and the assist for the second. She’s world class now.”

There wasn’t much more to excite the crowd in an uneventful first half which saw the Poles sitting deep and frustrating the home side. The Scots showed much more urgency at the start of the second half with Jo Love and Jenny Beattie having chances before Evans finally broke the deadlock. The Potsdam player was fed by Little before firing in a well-placed shot between the keeper and the near post.

Forced to attack, the Poles nearly equalised in the 73rd minute. An audacious 35 yard attempt from right back Aleksandra Sikora was tipped on to the bar by Fay.

The Scots kept the best for last with a fine goal for substitute Crichton. Little’s low cross was turned back by Evans and the Glasgow City player ensured her side would win all three points.