Tranmerekat on Tour: Jock-A-Hula Baby

England Women v Scotland Women in the inaugural UEFA Nations League at the Stadium Of Light in Sunderland

It's the Lionesses first game since the World Cup final and they face the Jockesses at the Black Cats 🐱‍👤 home in Wearside. The match is the first round in the shiny new Nations League that has replaced the usual friendlies and 10-nil qualifying games. It's going to be tough as the Scots are in good form and the Lionesses may be suffering the after effects of the Cup Final loss. Beth and Leah are still out, Fran is not back, Kiera has a new injury. Lessi is in the squad but being rested tonight. Other than that it's a full squad 💯. It looks like Rachel and LH are up front with LJ and Tooney behind and Katie Zelem behind them. Chloe and Lucy are out wide. At the back are Alex, Millie and Jess. Looks good to us. Sam Kerr, the other one, starts for Scotland and Caroline Wier is playing. We remember her and how good she is from Real Madrid at Chelsea.

It's a big event so it's time for the wheelie bins of fire and some very noisy (and smelly) fireworks. 🎆🧨🎇 The players line up for the national anthems and then the stand alternately and show their wrist bands for a group photo in solidarity with the Spanish Women's team. #SeAcabo "It's over". There is a minutes silence for Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack who passed away recently aged just 27. Very sad. The players and officials take the knee then we're off.

Scotland kick off but the Lionesses are straight on the attack and Hempo is giving the defenders a hard time. The chances come and go for Georgia and Rachel. Scotland get a look in but blink and it's gone. Hempo is causing issues left and right. We get to 20 minutes before Scotland get a decent chance and Caroline Wier forces Mary into a good save. It's LJ's turn to cause the defence issues now but it's Rachel Daly getting her head on a diagonal ball from Katie Zelem that puts the ball in the net. It's disallowed for offside as Chloe Kelly is "too" near the keeper No VARse for some reason today so it's gone and we carry on. Scotland are picking up the ball high up the pitch and Thomas is getting in the mix forcing a good save. Millie must have got fed up with her as she flattens Thomas with no degree of subtlety. The penalty shout is turned down. Straight down the other end and Zelem's long diagonal finds the head of a flying Lucy and this time it counts. A goal at last on 38. It's another header, this time is Hempo of a Daly cross puts it the net on 45. Scotland press in injury time and poor communication amongstcthe Lionesses causes the turnover. Hanson, (Kirsty not mm bop) just about gets to it first and it rolls in off the inside of the post wrong footing Mary. A very poor goal to concede and what bad timing. Serina will be cross as we arrive at the break.

England start brightly with chances from Rachel and LJ before Rachel gets through only to be offside. Scotland are starting to apply some pressure, pressing high. Weir is getting on the ball more especially wide on the right exposing Chloe Kelly as a wing back. Have never seen a player asked to leave the field to put a boot back on but have now. Wierd but funny as it's a Scotland player. Good defending by Greenwood keeps the Lionesses in the the lead. Mary makes a good save, they get to the second ball but but shot hits the bar Phew. Living dangerously here. It's quite an onslaught from the Jockesses with Hanson leading the charge. Big chance as Weir nicks the ball but Grimshaw fires straight at Mary. There is some relief for England as Hanson hobbles off injured on 88. LJ gets clear in injury time and plays on despite the flag for off-side. She scores but it won't count. It's a tight call again though. Still 2-1. Scotland have a last attack and then it's all over. England start the nations league with a win.

Wasn't a great spectacle. The first half was good a times but the second was a bit flat. But a win is a win and it should be double points for beating Scotland. The ground was nice but a bit cramped. Maybe they are sponsored by EasyJet. Travelling there from Newcastle wasn't fun and getting home makes Wembley Way seem like a picnic in the park.

Ref could have done worse but dissapointed there was no V'ARse. Scotland would have had a penalty then it might have finished 4-2 as the Lionesses disallowed goals were both very close decisions. Whatever happened to giving the attacker the benefit of the doubt as neither was clear cut. The girls are back to WSL next weekend then we are on our own international break.

Scranometer made a welcome return and enjoyed a trip to the North East with a slap up breakfast in Newcastle on Saturday morning. Yum. Thanks Olive and Bean.

See you soon somewhere for some 9th division action.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾