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Four-midable Martha takes Scotland into play-offs

Israel 0 Scotland 5

Martha Thomas was on target four times as Scotland made certain of a play-off place with a convincing victory in Hungary.

Pedro Martinez Losa made one change to the lineup that started against Israel on Friday evening as Jenna Clark came in to the starting eleven to replace Erin Cuthbert. With a starting place, Sophie Howard reached 50 caps for her country and joined the International Roll of Honour.

Scotland had a strong start to the game, creating a number of chances and putting Israel under pressure. Claire Emslie saw her low cross deflected onto the woodwork off a defending player before Kirsty Hanson’s left footed shot is saved by the Israel goalkeeper following a lay-off from Chelsea Cornet.

Scotland opened the scoring just before the 15 minute mark. Claire Emslie played the ball into the path of Martha Thomas who had made a well timed run to get herself into the box to create a one on one situation. Thomas kept her composure to confidently convert and give her side an early advantage.

Scotland doubled their lead in the 37th minute when Lisa Evans crossed the ball into the box which met the head of Martha Thomas and she headed it into the bottom left corner to give Scotland a two-goal advantage going into half time.

Thomas completed her hat-trick in the 74th minute when she got herself on the end of a Lisa Evans cross, with Thomas’s effort finding the top left corner.

Thomas didn’t stop her scoring there as she got a fourth goal just three minutes later when she got her head on the end of a Nicola Docherty cross to float a header into the back of the net.

In the 85th minute, Scotland rounded off a great afternoon with a fifth goal and a first Scotland goal for Chelsea Cornet. Jamie-Lee Napier played a corner into the box which was headed towards goal at the back post area by Jane Ross. Ross’s effort was denied by the Israel goalkeeper, Chelsea Cornet reacted quickly to gather the rebound and fire it into the net to give the perfect end to a strong Scotland performance which saw them stay top of the group.

Israel: Fortuna Rubin, Irena Kuznetsov (sub Noam Achtel 80mins), Shani David, Itaf Alkisi, Elianna Anna Beard, Talia Sommer, Marian Awad (sub Rahel Steinschneider 58mins), Vital Kats, Noa Selimhodzic (sub Michaelit Workou 64mins), Maria Almasri (sub Meytal Sharabi 80mins), Shira Elinav (sub Eden Avital 58mins). Subs not used: Lama Ghanama, Noa Kozak, Hadas Morin, Opal Sofer, Hili Shalom, Koral Hazan.  

Scotland: Lee Gibson (sub Eartha Cumings 45mins), Nicola Docherty, Rachel Corsie, Sophie Howard, Samantha Kerr, Kirsty Hanson (sub Jamie-Lee Napier 82mins), Lisa Evans (sub Brogan Hay 82mins), Chelsea Cornet, Jenna Clark, Claire Emslie, Martha Thomas (sub Jane Ross 82mins). Subs not used: Jenna Fife, Kelly Clark, Kirsty MacLean, Leah Eddie, Kirsty Howat, Amy Rodgers, Kirsty Smith, Erin Cuthbert.  

(scottishfa.co.uk)