Scotland end Centenary Shield campaign with Welsh defeat

Scotland’s Centenary Shield campaign ended in defeat as the young Scots fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Wales at the Red Lion Foods Stadium in Colwyn Bay.

The Scots were the architects of their own demise in the first half, conceding two penalties, both converted by Joseff Haig after Luca Hogan opened the scoring for the Welsh.

Joe Prior came off the bench to give his side a consolation in injury time, but it was too late as Scotland fell to defeat, ending their tournament without a victory.

Wales opened the scoring just six minutes in when a cross on the right side by Hogan was met by Fabrizio Murtas, whose first effort initially looked as though it came off the hand of Harris Clubb. There was no need for referee intervention, however, as Murtas was quick to the rebound and guided the ball past the diving Ethan Mitchell.
After the goal Scotland started to find their rhythm and showed plenty of attacking intent, however, their passing game was still eluding them, with many attempts overhit.

Just as Scotland were starting to come into the game, they conceded a penalty. Joshua Gibson, who was a constant threat down the right-hand side, dribbled past Jamie Carnihan but was brought down by Andrew Miller. Haig stepped up and converted, sending Mitchell the wrong way to double Wales’ lead.

The next ten minutes saw Wales start to take control of the game, with Scotland struggling to provide any consistent pressure on the Wales goal. A scramble in the box from a corner on the half-hour mark saw the ball nearly fall into the path of Millar but it was claimed well by Lucas Cavalcante.

Scotland’s best effort of the half came ten minutes from time when a shot from just outside the box from Aaron Nicholson was deflected just wide of goal.

Five minutes after that Wales were awarded their second penalty when Haig was brought down. The man who won it was the same who converted it, sending Mitchell the wrong way again, this time to his opposite corner.

Scotland were much improved in the second half, with left-back Callum Hannah particularly impressing with his attacking play and it was this quality which provided the first half-chance of the second period as he charged down the left. His low ball into the box, fortunately, landed at Cavalcante’s feet.

Despite the increase in performance from the young Scots, they were still struggling to find their passing game, with many opportunities to attack snuffed out by overhit passes.

Their first real chance of the half came on the hour mark when good work again from Hannah down the left provided the space for him to pass to fellow substitute Prior, whose low shot was drilled into the keeper’s arms.

Wales were struggling to create anything, which was a stark contrast to their first-half performance. Their first effort came 15 minutes from time when a shot outside the box from Tye Duggan was easily claimed by Mitchell.
Scotland nearly set up an interesting finish when an attempt from Nathan Smith bobbled on the turf and unfortunately struck the post just a minute later.

As the game entered injury time, Wales squandered a golden opportunity to add a fourth when they found themselves in a three-on-one situation, however, Levi Morgan left it too late to find one of his teammates and his pass was well cut out by Ruaridh Cant.

Shortly after, Scotland got the goal that their second-half play deserved when Hannah once again beat his marker to send a low ball into the path of Prior, who fired high into the net to secure a consolation for his side.
It was too little, too late however as the referee blew for full-time, ending Scotland’s Centenary Shield campaign with just two points.