Scotland U19 0 France U19 1

Pars youth players Callum Smith and Stuart Morrison play for Scotland

Callum Smith and Stuart Morrison were on the bench as Scotland U19s played France U19s in an International Challenge Match at the Tony Macaroni Arena, Livingston on Wednesday night.

France looked physically strong and also displayed a great desire to play the ball around until they could find an opening. They had several untroublesome attempts before keeper Kieran Wright had to made a superb block at the midway point of the half.

For Scotland Charlie Gilmour got a good shot from a Robbie Deas pass. Keeper Alban Lafont saved but probably just as well it was straight at him since it was a powerful effort.

A counterattack set up by Wright`s long throw out sent Glenn Middleton away down the right in 31 minutes. He fed the ball on to Gilmour who arrived at speed inside him and there was many complaints from the crowd as Dan-Axel Zagadou pushed the Scotland player off the ball as he entered the French box.

Five minutes later Mickael Cuisance`s dipping shot from 25 yards skimmed the crossbar as it went over the top.

The sides went in all square but the French had enjoyed a massive amount of possession with several build ups involving more than a dozen completed passes.

Half time: Scotland 0 France 0

Before the restart Callum Smith replaced Norwich City`s Glenn Middleton but the team got off to the worst possible start however losing a goal within 40 seconds. The defence just were not alert enough and Myziane MAOLIDA nicked the opening goal.

Callum was deployed on the right of the middle four and so it was he who crossed a fine ball in 50 minutes. Gilmour connected well 15 yards out but the keeper saved and Lewis Ferguson followed up and sent the ball wide left.

In 54 minutes the Scotland keeper made a superb double save to prevent what looked like being a second goal for Maolida.

Smith provided a good ball in for Aitchison that he unluckily could not convert before in 67 minutes he was switched to the striker role as Zak Rudden replaced Hamilton`s Lewis Ferguson.

The move almost proved to be a masterstroke as Michael Johnston flashed the ball across goal unfortunately just eluding the Dunfermline player.

In 71 minutes Smith was pulled down on the edge of the box and he exaggerated on to the edge of the defensive wall late to duck and make the keeper pull off a great save from the free kick.

Dunfermline`s Stuart Morrison was introduced at right back as an 82nd minute substitute for Wallace Duffy. He was involved in several pieces of play and did nothing wrong in his eight minutes and added three.

Callum made a lot of runs as the sole striker but never really got the service required.

SCOTLAND: Kieran Wright: Wallace Duffy (Stuart Morrison 82), Stephen Welsh, Ryan Porteous (c), Robbie Deas (Daniel Baur 77): Charlie Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson (Zak Rudden 67), Jordan Holsgrove, Michael Johnston: Glenn Middleton (Callum Smith HT): Jack Aitchison.
SUBS NOT USED: David Turnbull, Kerr McInroy, Jonny Mitchell, Fraser Murray, Aidan McAdams (GK)

REFEREE: Nick Walsh
WEATHER: Rain 10C
ATTENDANCE: 731