THE 1999 GAME - NEW!

LEISHMAN HAT-TRICK SINKS BRAVE SCOTS.

ENGLAND 3 – SCOTLAND 2

Leishman (3) Baber, MacIndoe

England overcame the spirited challenge of a gutsy Scottish side to retain the trophy they won last year in the annual Expatriate Challenge clash against the “Auld Enemy”. However, their well deserved 3-2 victory at Doha’s Al Sadd Stadium generated enough controversy to keep the debates and discussions going until the two sides meet again next year.

England took the lead in the 23rd minute through Nick Leishman when England were awarded a penalty after Scotland midfield general Steve Lewis was adjudged to have fouled England’s Hedley Grist in the box.

On 35 minutes England almost went further ahead when Leishman made a surging goalward run but an exceptionally well-timed tackle by centre-back Graham Donaldson gave the first real indication of why he would go on to win the Scottish man-of-the-match award.

A minute later Scotland was on level terms. Midfield dynamo Gareth Baber leapt like a salmon to get his ginger “napper” on the end of a cross swung in from the right to bullet home the header. But just as the sizeable Tartan contingent in the crowd were celebrating the goal, Scotland were once again under the English cosh, but that man Donaldson was on hand yet again to cut out the impressive Jason Young for a corner, which Donaldson also cleared.

Donaldson was the proverbial “rock” at the heart of the Scottish defence, and it is little wonder that his performance drew comparison to Celtic legend Billy McNeill.

Half-time: England 1 – Scotland 1

Fourteen minutes after the restart England got their second goal with a fluid counter attack that started with Adam Macklin’s quasi-Brazilian back-flick and ended with Leishman’s controlled finish, and, a line of Scotsmen looking in vain at the linesman.

England increased their lead 10 minutes later with Scotland scratching their collective heads at some erratic officiating when England was awarded another spot-kick. While there was no question that Scotland’s John Mackie fouled the English forward it certainly appeared as if the incident was clearly outside the box. Leishman again duly slotted away the penalty to put England 3-1 up.

Seven minutes from time Scotland were awarded a penalty and Stewart MacIndoe’s conversion gave the Scot’s renewed hope but their brave hearts finish lost out to tired legs and England held out for the victory.

While Leishman’s hat-trick took the plaudits it was England’s Chris Bradley who took their man-of-the-match award, showing that his elegant defensive skills, as well as his hairstyle, are modelled on Manchester United’s Jaap Stam.

Final Score: ENGLAND 3 - SCOTLAND 2

England Hat-trick Hero Nick Leishman of England cuts through Scotland defence to become a hat-trick hero of the SvE 1999 match.	Scotland Equalise! Scotland's Gareth Baber powerfully heads home an equaliser to give the Scots hope.

No Way Through. Scotland's Steve Gibson finds there is no way through as England's Man of the Match Chris Bradley gets ready to break up another Scots attack.