Scotland Women V Faroe Islands Women – FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Qualifiers Group B (21/09/2021)
Pretty easy journey, train from Stepps into Glasgow Queen Street and then a short walk to Glasgow Central followed by a second train to Mount Florida, all for the price of £4.10. After my three games at Hampden Park in the Euro’s this summer I knew the walk to the stadium like the back of my hand, but what I couldn’t find so easily was a cash point that didn’t charge me to get money out!
Got to Hampden with about 20 minutes till kick off, so plenty of time to get a Fanta they set me back £3. Didn’t get any food as I had a couple of currywurst hot dogs before I left for the game, not going to lie they were spot on. After paying £1.25 to get cash out I found out when I got in the stadium that they weren’t taking bloody cash. Found my seat in section P, in between the halfway line and the corner flag. Only the one stand was being used, but there was still just over 4500 in the stand, so had a bit of an empty feeling to the stadium but Hampden tried its best to create an atmosphere before kick off with a flashing light show accompanied by music.
I caved in and got myself a steak pie for £3.20, which upon taking a bit instantly regretted as the crust was awfully dry and the bottom was oddly damp. Was not a fan of the pie in the slightest!
Scotland took the lead in the 19th minute through a screamer from the edge of the box from attacker Erin Cuthbert, who fired into the top corner and gave the keeper no chance. Within two minutes the Scotland side were 2-0 up, this time following a great cross into the box was met by the head of Chloe Arthur. It’s safe to say the home sides lead really reflected their dominance. On 27 minutes it was 3-0 to Scotland and a second headed goal for Arthur, as she rose well above the Faroe Islands defence to bravely beat the keeper.
With just over five minutes left of the first half, a looping ball towards the back post was neatly volleyed in past the helpless keeper by Christy Grimshaw for 4-0 to Scotland.
To say Scotland dominated the first half would be an understatement, the four nil score line could have easily been six or seven. The Faroe Islands didn’t have a single chance on goal in the first 45 minutes and didn’t look like testing the Scotland defence at all, I think you could count the number of times they got into the home sides half on one hand.
Minutes after the restart and the away side grabbed a goal with their first real chance of the game after a cross was headed in from inside the six yard box by Maria Biskopstø for 4-1.
Any Faroe Islands comeback was short lived as on the 60th minute it was 5-1 as Martha Thomas easily side footed the ball into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box past Joensen in the Faroes goal, who was having a shocker.
Nice to see Glasgow City defender Jenna Clark get a run out for her debut cap, coming on with 20 minutes to play, a player who’s always impressed me at the back when I’ve seen her play for Glasgow City so in my opinion a much deserved cap for the young centre back. Clark marked her first appearance for Scotland with a goal as she beat the offside trap after a stunning ball was played into her and she stabbed the ball past the helpless keeper after finding herself one on one, and putting Scotland 6-1 up in the process.
My personal player of the match Claire Emslie added to the goal haul to make it 7-1 with a sublime free kick on the edge of the box into the top right corner, a well deserved goal in my opinion for the Scotland number 18.
Before the game came to an end Erin Cuthbert, who was announced as player of the match, took a nasty blow to the head and was stretched off as she had a really good game. Here’s hoping she is ok and makes a full recovery.
Before the game I had a feeling Scotland would win but I didn’t think it would be by such a large margin, but other than the Faroe Islands goal they were hardly threatened. The visitors didn’t seem to change their tactics of starting deep regardless of how many they conceded, so were constantly on the back foot. This kind of victory will give the Scottish side a massive boost in confidence going into the rest of their games in qualifying. Was really happy to be able to see Jenna Clark’s senior team debut and goal as I also got to see her Champions League debut for Glasgow City.
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – £10
Programme – £2.50
Programme Rating – 7/10
Refreshments – 5/10
Stadium Facilities – 6/10
Getting To Stadium – 8/10
Stadium Rating – 7/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Scotland against Faroe Islands.
Daz Carding
Football Days With A Salopian Jambo 