Match report: Scotland U16 2 - 4 England U16

SCOTLAND tried hard in the pelting Highland rain, but were outgunned by clinical England as Ross Mathie took his final bow after 30 years service to the SFA.

The Scotland coach knew England, already crowned Victory Shield winners for an 11th successive year, held formidable strength and depth, and the home keeper, Liverpool’s Ryan Fulton, was thrust into an unwelcome spotlight in only eight minutes, spilling a strike from Arsenal’s Jordan Brown who netted clinically on the rebound.

Another Gunner, Alex Iwobi, struck a deflected second from just inside the box after only 15 minutes. But the Scots surged back into the game after 20 minutes when Celtic prospect Paul McMullan sent an angled strike into the far corner of the net.

Brown bagged his second after 31 minutes before Mason Bennett made it 4-1 to the Auld Enemy just before the hour. Scots skipper Craig Storie then added a consolation penalty.

Scotland: Fulton (Liverpool), Hogg (Hibs), Sinammon (Rangers), McGhee (Hearts), Pacazio (Rangers), Henderson (Celtic), McMullan (Celtic), Walsh (Rangers), Stoney (Rangers), Storie (Aberdeen), Waters (Celtic).

England: Gunn, Aina, Smith-Brown, Morris, Foster, Heaton, Allassani, Colkett, Bennett, Brown.

Referee: J Beaton. Attendance: 1,454