U19s snatch defeat from jaws of victory

England U19s Scotland U19s 2 1

SCOTLAND UNDER19s suffered late heartbreak against the Auld Enemy last night after it looked like John Souttar’s goal had set them up for a famous victory.

Ricky Sbragia’s youngsters were huge underdogs in Burton-on-Trent in the UEFA European Championship Elite round.

But Dundee United defender Souttar headed the Scots into a shock lead after the break and it seemed certain the Scots would hold on to give them a huge chance of qualifying for the finals in Hungary.

But the loss of two late goals in a desperate six-minute spell meant elimination.

Yet Sbragia will take huge encouragement from this performance, given Scotland were thumped 3-0 by England a year ago at the same stage in a tournament in Belgium.

Scotland almost stunned England with their first real attack of the match five minutes before half time when Dundee United’s Ryan Gauld delivered a peach of a pass through the defence for the onrushing Denny Johnstone. But the Celtic striker was thwarted by England keeper Christian Walton, who raced from his line to make a fine save.

Gauld then showed a moment of brilliance when he nutmegged Southampton defender Matt Targett in the box before cutting the ball back to Henderson, but his shot was blocked by some desperate English defending.

After that decent ending to the half, the Scots shocked the hosts by taking the lead six minutes into the second half. A corner fell to Adam King and although the skipper mishit his volley, the ball fell to Gauld who clipped the ball to the back post for Souttar to nod home.

England should have equalised on the hour mark though when the Scots defence was sliced open andAkpom had only keeper Ryan Fulton to beat, but sidefooted against the inside of the post.

Scotland’s defence was finally breached with 14 minutes left after Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker smashed the ball into the net after England had again hit the woodwork from a corner.

And England won it with seven minutes left after Baker drilled the ball past Fulton.

Picture: Getty Images. Ryan Gauld shields the ball from England’s Matt Targett.