Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Shaw to four in comfortable win
DRYBURGH Girls U/17 got their season off to a flyer on Sunday at the GA Arena against last year’s Scottish Cup semifinal opponents Murieston United. The Dundee girls won 8-1.
After a cagey start to the match, where both sides looked a little nervous, it was Murieston who had the first chance forcing Lily Cassells into a wonderful save. She dived full length to tip a goalbound effort wide.
However, Murieston kept up the pressure and soon took the lead minutes later with a composed finish inside the box.
This seemed to be the catalyst to fire up Dryburgh and they were soon back on level terms through a close range finish from Gabby Watt.
She followed a Nia Mitchell free-kick which seemed goalbound but Watt made sure from two yards out.
Soon after, Sasha Craig fed captain Katie Shaw with a defence-splitting pass and Shaw finished in style low to the keeper’s right-hand side.
Shaw was now i n the mood and battled for possession on the edge of the Murieston box.
She won the ball and added her second with a carbon-copy finish, despatching the ball in style.
Dryburgh were now well on top and the impressive Lauren McCabe got in on the scoring act, winning the ball on the left and driving forward to slot past the advancing keeper with a lovely sidefoot finish.
That goal made it 4-1 Dryburgh at the half-time break.
The Dundee team started the second half on the ascendancy again with midfield trio Lauren McCabe, the Player of the Match, Kirsty Robertson and Abby Schofield driving forward at every opportunity.
They were soon back on the scoresheet with Shaw taking advantage of a defensive mix-up to grab her third.
Shaw then sealed a fantastic performance with her fourth.
Good work down the right saw Grace Forrester link with Hope McLachlan to slip in Shaw, who made no mistake with a cracking finish from 15 yards.
’Burgh were now passing the ball well and full-back Nia Mitchell played a lovely pass to winger Sophie Hunt who sent over a delightful cross. It was met first time by McLachlan at the back post and she put Dryburgh into seventh heaven.
With five minutes to go, Robertson broke up play and released Amy Reilly to complete the scoring.
Reilly showed great skill to create space between the two centre-halves and fired a shot under the keeper.
Murieston threatened a couple of times on the break in the second half but were thwarted by the good defensive Dryburgh performance.
The ’ Burgh rearguard was being marshalled well by Abbie Milne and Kiah Irvine.
There was one more chance for Murieston which brought another fine save from Cassells.