Shelley’sstars rainsupreme totopthetable
SCOTLAND turned on the style in driving rain to move top of their 2019 World Cup qualifying group.
An own goal from Albania put the Scots ahead before Fiona Brown made it 2-0 at the interval in Paisley.
Jane Ross, player of the match Claire Emslie and Lisa Evans completed the rout in the second half, much to the delight of Shelley Kerr in her first home game as head coach.
After watching her girls make it three wins out of three since replacing Anna Signeul, Kerr said: “We’re delighted with six points from the first two qualifiers.
“Against Belarus we created so many chances but maybe the end product wasn’t there for us.
“Tonight was different. We want to take Scotland to the next level by playing exciting football.”
Kerr made five changes to the side that beat Belarus on Thursday. Full-backs Chloe Arthur and Emma Mitchell, midfielder Leanne Crichton and forwards Lana Clelland and Brown came in.
The Scots began brightly in the woeful conditions and took the lead in 21 minutes.
Albania No.1 Marigona Zani tipped a shot to safety but from Emslie’s resultant corner she turned the ball into her own net.
Just after the half hour Arthur rattled the woodwork with a fierce shot and Brown slammed in the rebound.
Nine minutes after the break Zani failed to hold Jen Beattie’s long-range shot.
The ball fell to Ross for her 53rd international goal from close range and a minute later Emslie hit a brilliant 25-yard curling effort before crossing for substitute Evans to end the scoring late on.
Emslie was thrilled her stunning effort found its way through the rain into the net.
She said: “It’s one of those if you hit it perfect, great, get it wrong, it’s hitting row Z!”