Amid an underwhelming first two games of Scotland’s U19 UEFA – Qualification League A, Neil McFarlane’s side took on a Poland team also without a win. Scotland were full of confidence on home turf in the final match in Round 1 for the young Scots.
Manager Neil McFarline made four changes from the disappointing defeat against Italy on Saturday as Tommy North, Fletcher Boyd, Mathew Gillies and Jake Vallance came out of the U19 squad. Coming into the starting lineup were Lewis Gillie, Euan Glasgow, Joseph Teasdale and Jack McGrath.
It certainly didn’t take Scotland long to get underway as Lewis Gillie stuck a well-placed pass down the left flank, which found Kilmarnock youth star, Archie Traynor. He cut it back for Jack McGrath, who proved yet again he’s a rising star in Scotland’s future, and found the back of the net in only 15 seconds to give Scotland the dream start.
Scotland almost doubled their lead in quick succession as Joseph Teasdale found himself outside the penalty area, however, a great stop from Porto B youngster Hubert Charuzy settled things down for the away nation. Shortly after Poland finally made an opportunity, as Celtic centre forward Filip Skorb met the whipped ball in from Juskiewicz, but the effort flew wide of goal.
Scotland created more and more chances, and then came the second in the 35th minute. Jack McGrath again caused havoc on the wing and put it on a golden plate for Dumbarton winter signing Alexander Smith, who struck gold to give the young tartan army a two-goal cushion going into the break.
Just before the half-time whistle, Poland, against the run of play, were finally granted an opportunity after a tough 40 minutes against the Scots. Filip Skorb again inside the danger zone and this time the header over the bar as Scotland held their head up high going into the break with multiple well-worked chances and the defence of Osbourne, Gille and Glasgow keeping the clean sheet so far.
Half-Time: Scotland 2-0 Poland
No changes for the Scots coming out for the second half, meanwhile, Poland boss Lukasz Sosin made two substitutions as both Skorb and Ceglinski were replaced by Rosol and Szcygiel.
Keir Gilligan had a golden opportunity in the opening stages of the second half, but an excellent save from Charuzy inside the six-yard box kept Poland alive. Scotland searched for the third with Traynor again making that midfield run into the wide zone, finding Smith in the same position as his first; however, this time, he was denied by the crossbar.
Then, in the 65th minute, Lewis Gillie took down Burkiewicz inside Scotland territory and referee Sven Wolfsenburger pointed to the spot for a chance to get Poland a goal to bring back momentum for the travelling side. Captain Sammy Dudek stepped up and struck the post, a relief for Scotland despite the dominance.
Aaron McCallum came on in place of Archie Traynor and in only four minutes of being on the park, he grabbed the third for Scotland. It was an incredible cross from Zander McAllister and then the Rangers youth talent took a lovely touch down and the finish was tucked away sweetly for his second in the group.
And then the awaited full-time whistle, which signalled Scotland’s first win in league A and a second-place finish to progress into round 2. A well-balanced performance from the home nation from the first minute to the 90th, with players like Aston Villa’s future star Jack McGrath,
Alexander Smith and Cove Rangers’ Joseph Teasdale were causing a threat in the attack; meanwhile, at the back, Hearts’ Euan Glasgow and Alfie Osbourne were solid. It looks like Scotland have a bright future ahead with these up-and-coming superstars.
Full-Time: Scotland 3-0 Poland
Scotland Player of the Match: Jack McGrath
His early goal set the tone for a free-flowing performance from the young Scots, and his assist for the second picked out Alexander Smith expertly.
Poland Player of the Match: Hubert Charuzy
Porto youngster Hubert Charuzy, not only with his acrobatic stops but also for his confidence with the ball, which stood out on a disappointing night for Poland.
Scotland Magic Moment:
The magic moment also goes to McGrath for the quick-fire goal finished in style.
Poland Magic Moment:
Some great play down the left from Dudek led to Lewis Gillie giving away the penalty at 2-0. It was then pain for Dudek at the spot where the strike hit the post, an opportunity that could have changed the outcome for Scotland.
