DURHAM striker Zoe Ness is in line to win her fourth cap when Scotland take on Iceland at La Manga.
The 22-year-old, who was one of six players not used in Friday’s 3-1 defeat to Norway, already knows how to score against tomorrow’s rivals, having done so at both under-17 and under-19 levels, including two in a 4-4 draw in 2013. These contributed to an outstanding record of 30 goals in just 37 games for the age group sides, but breaking into the senior side has been problematical.
Since her final under-19 appearance in March 2015, she has played just 77 minutes of inter-national football, coming off the bench three times in the second half of matches last year.
Her most recent appearance, against Poland in Paisley, saw her get in front of her marker to stoop low and head home Claire Emslie’s cross. It was the first of three late Scotland goals which kept World Cup qualifying hopes alive.
While Ness’ career to date shows the Scottish FA need to put some of their £1 million World Cup windfall towards establishing a Scotland age group side to bridge the gap for young players, the striker herself is anxious to make up for lost time.
“I need to start looking towards getting more games and minutes,” she said. “That’s something I’m hoping for against Iceland. I think I offer something slightly different that can change a game or help the side out.
“I’m quite strong and powerful, I can hold the ball up well and bring others into the game. There are obviously aspects I have to work on, but I’m confident of being able to strike the ball with my left or right foot.”
Ness was born in Durham just after her parents had moved there for work and has played most of her football – barring a sojourn at the Swedish club Mallbackens – with her home-town team. They are fourth in the FA Championship, two points behind Manchester United and four behind leaders Spurs, who Durham thrashed 6-1 away from home with Ness scoring one of the goals.
“We are competing against clubs that have got much bigger budgets, but our success is down to the hard work behind the scenes,” said Ness, who is one of four Scottish players at the club. “We’re progressing in the right direction with good facilities and backroom staff. It’s only going to get better.”
As well as Ness, goalkeepers Jenna Fife and Rachel Harrison, defender Chloe Arthur, and forwards Erin Cuthbert and Abbi Grant are due for game time tomorrow. It would be a debut cap for Harrison, while Cuthbert, who scored both goals as Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 last Sunday, was rested against Norway.
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