Under-21 friendly double header
Scotland 3-2 Northern Ireland
Saturday 5 June 2021
C&G Systems Stadium, Dumbarton
A coolly-taken Glenn Middleton penalty was enough to hand Scotland’s Under-21s a deserved win in this second head-to-head with Northern Ireland.
Twice the Scots were in front after goals from Tom Clayton and Ben Williamson, only for the visitors to level before Middleton’s decisive intervention.
It will come as a morale-booster to a new-look group ahead of the next batch of Euros qualifiers – starting with a trip to Turkey in September.
Keeper Archie Mair produced a fine early reaction save before Jack Burroughs bravely blocked Sean Stewart’s rebound.
Daniel Mackay and Josh McPake tried their luck for the hosts without success, but they weren’t to be denied for long.
On 23 minutes Mackay’s cross dropped in a crowded box for Clayton to lash home.
Northern Ireland equalised within five minutes, with Ben Wylie keeping his cool to slot beyond Mair.
Scotland regained their advantage three minutes before the break.
Logan Chalmers dummied Josh McPake’s pass and Williamson produced a stunning strike from 25 yards that flew in off the underside of the bar.
Again, Northern Ireland fought back, with Ryan Waide volleying high into the rood of the net.
With the game finely poised, Mackay took responsibility.
A driving run down the left led to him being tripped in the box and Middleton was clinical from the spot – just as he was on Wednesday.
Scotland: Mair (Kinnear 67), Burroughs, Welsh (Deas), Mayo, Banks (Middleton 67), Kelly, Williamson (Urain 67), Clayton, Chalmers (Erhahon 75), Mackay, McPake (MacGregor 72).
Northern Ireland: Mee, Hume, Balmer, Cousin-Dawson, Donnelly (Finlayson 63), Stewart, (Scott 63), Boyd-Munce (Boyle 46), Smyth, Johnson, Taylor (McCann 58), Wylie (Waide 58).