Scotland’s Women made history on Sunday by storming into the play-offs for the 2009 European Championships in Finland with an emphatic 6-0 win over Slovakia at McDiarmid Park.

After Russia’s 4-1 win over Poland on Saturday, Scotland went into the game knowing that a win would take them into the play-offs of a major tournament for the first time, and they started the game with purpose, enjoying the bulk of the first half possession.

Celtic’s Jennifer Beattie opened the scoring in the 26th minute when her floated cross just missed the head of Arsenal’s Kim Little but sailed past Lenka Gazdikova into the Slovakian goal.

Falling behind seemed to kick-start the Slovakian attack, and they enjoyed their best spell of the game, forcing a sting of saves from Gemma Fay.

But Scotland quickly found their rhythm once more, with captain Julie Fleeting heading over the goalkeeper just after the half hour mark following some great link up play between Kim Little and Leanne Ross.

Just seven minutes later Pauline Hamill made it three when she met a long ball out of the defence from Spartans’ Michelle Kerr to lob the ‘keeper once more.

After the break Scotland kept up the tempo, with Little taking charge of the midfield. And the player of the match grabbed a goal of her own on
51 minutes when she unleashed a low shot into the bottom corner.

Little was involved in the 5th goal when her freekick was met by Arsenal teammate Fleeting who fired home for her second of the game.

Fleeting’s day was soured soon after when she picked up a hotly contested yellow card, which could rule her out of the first play-off match.

Substitute Suzanne Grant wrapped up a memorable win in the 86th minute with a fine strike which left Gazdikova with no chance.

Head coach Anna Signeul said: “I’m delighted with what was an excellent all round team performance, and I was particularly happy to see goals coming from all over the pitch. Slovakia are a strong side but our attacking play was really exceptional today. Of course that kind of performance comes from having fit, hardworking players all over the pitch.

“We’ve made a bit of history today and the players and everyone associated with the team are over the moon. If we work as hard as we did today I think we have a good chance against anyone we might face in the play-offs.”

Scotland:
Gemma Fay (Hibernian LFC), Jennifer Beattie (Celtic LFC), Ifeoma Dieke (Kristianstads DFF), Michelle Kerr (Spartans FC), Joanne Love (Celtic LFC), Kirsty McBride (Hibernian LFC) (Natalie Ross (Arsenal LFC), 72), Kim Little (Arsenal LFC), Megan Sneddon (Glasgow City LFC), Julie Fleeting (Arsenal LFC) (Amy McDonald (FC Kilmarnock),80), Pauline Hamill (Celtic LFC) (Suzanne Grant (Hibernian LFC),75), Leanne Ross (Glasgow City LFC) Unused subs: Frankie Brown (Hibernian LFC), Julie Ferguson (Hibernian LFC), Rhonda Jones (Hibernian LFC), Hayley Cunningham (Celtic LFC)