Schools football: Scottish Under-15’s break Hearts

A hat-trick for Chantelle Brown (Larkhall Academy) and a double from Erin Cuthbert (Greenwood Academy) helped the Scottish Under-15 squad trounce Hearts 8-0 in the national side’s first friendly of the season at Meggetland in Edinburgh.

In a match divided into three periods, Chantelle got her and Scotland’s first goal from a great volley thanks to a telling cross from the ever-menacing Chelsea Cornet.

Scotland ruled the midfield with Erin providing the perfect foil for the two strikers Alyshia Walker and Amy Gallacher.

Another goal was almost inevitable and Chantelle doubled her account after a great move down the right-hand side with fantastic interplay between Chelsea and the marauding Courtney Whyte.

The Scots increased the lead to 4-0 – Chantelle completed her hat-trick and the other goal came from Bathgate Academy’s Alyshia Walker.

The second period started as the first had ended with Scotland in the ascendancy. Five changes only made for more problems for the Hearts’ defence as the players who came on provided more goal threats and it led to goal number five from Amy Gallacher (Morgan Academy).

The Scots were in complete control and the more goals came from Erin and a superb strike by Sophie Sweeney.

Scotland’s goalkeeper Laura Hamilton (Gleniffer High School) spent most of the match as an extra spectator, but she was called into action after a mix-up at the back resulted in a penalty for Hearts.

However, the keeper kept her sheet clean when the ball hit the bar and the young Scots managed to clear the danger.

The final period of the game continued to go Scotland’s way and Erin completed a great display with her second and her side’s eighth goal.

The match was part of the national team’s warm-up for the Bob Doherty Cup in Belfast from April 2-4. Last year, Scotland finished runners-up to Northern Ireland in Dublin.

SCOTLAND UNDER-15 SQUAD: Chantelle Brown (Larkhall Academy), Chelsea Cornet (Beeslack HS), Cassie Cowper (Kincorth Academy), Erin Cuthbert (Greenwood Academy), Rebecca Flaherty (Banchory Academy), Amy Gallacher (Morgan Academy), Laura Hamilton (Gleniffer HS), Samantha Kerr (Graeme HS), Amy Lynch (Currie HS), Jade McLaren (Madras College), Cailin Michie (Boroughmuir HS), Donna Paterson (Banff Academy), Katie Rice (St Ninian’s HS, Giffnock), Rachel Ross (Greenfaulds HS), Jamie Lee Smith (Trinity Academy), Sophie Sweeney (Bishopbriggs Academy), Alyshia Walker (Bathgate Academy), Courtney Whyte (St Roch’s Secondary, Glasgow).