Scotland vs. Estonia

Pre-Game:

Craig Brown persisted with the three centre-back formation, Hendry, Calderwood and Boyd given the responsibility. Callum Davidson started out at left wing-back and big David Weir on the right. A second string midfield was the best that could be hoped for, Billy McKinlay and Ian Durrant given central roles. Gallacher and McCoist started up front. Brown could not have asked for better support as the Tyncastle crowd was passionate and noisy giving the side a huge cheers as they took the field.

1st Half:

Scotland began brightly enough with new inclusion Alan Johnston (Sunderland) providing an added threat down the right hand side, his skill and pace led to 5 corners going Scotland's way in the opening 20 minutes. On a low point kevin gallacher was replaced by Darren jackson early on after reportedly breaking his arm. The visitors never really looked that troubled throughout Scotland's early dominant spell, as only long-shots from Weir, McKinlay, and Davidson even suggested the need for a goalkeeper. That was until a ball broke loose in the area and Durrant challenged the keeper full-blooded, the crowd rose as the ball trickled gently toward the back of the net. Unfortunately, the screams of joy had to be stifled as Durrant's effort went inches wide and the midfielder never regained his early composure after the collision. Anguish turned to anger in a matter of seconds for the home fans as the Estonians used any means necessary to prevent the Scots from scoring, numerous fouls which the referee deemed unworthy of a card, and then the last straw for many of the home support, a clear handball in the area - but alas no penalty. Unbelieveably to the majority of those in Tynecastle the Estonians, who'd seemed disinterested in Jim Leighton had the cheek to go 1-up. A mix-up between Leighton and Hendry led to a corner and the two got in a tangle again to let Simpson in for Estonia. AAAAArrrgggghhh!!!!. The silence was a mark of how unimaginable this situation was to the majority of the fans - the 11 Estonian followers could not make themselves heard even without compettion. Scotland were booed off at half-time.

2nd Half:

So Scotland would start the second half knowing that losing would mean the worst ever defeat on home soil, this it seems, did not inspire confidence. The team played like they would fight, but like a cornered dog rather than the superior footballing nation. Scotland need to learn not to play down to the level of their opposition. The referee was little help as the tactics of the Estonians became clear, to frustrate the home side at every opportunity. Indeed there were loud claims for a second penalty when Jackson was tackled from behind just inside the box but no action was taken. The breakthrough came with a substitution, Billy Dodds (Dundee United) replaced the ineffectual Ally McCoist and his presence was immediately justified. Johston lobbed a cross to the back post and when Davidson's mis-hit shot came to Dodds he whipped it home with the true killer instinct that Scotland have been lacking. The crowd erupted, Scotland would be alright, we had done this before no problem. The relief on the crowd's faces was apparent and so the rendition of 'Flower of Scotland' could probably be heard on Prince's Street. Only a few minutes later disaster struck. Weir, who'd moved to Centre-back following the merciful removal of Calderwood (sub Donnelly), attacked a corner, as did Hendry. This left poor Tom Boyd alone to deal with two pacey young Estonians, the result was never in doubt although Leighton did get fingertips to it. 2-1 Estonia and the boos began again in earnest. So a do or die situation for Scotland with 10 minutes of normal time left, another cross from the right where Donnelly was now wreaking havoc and it was Dodds again!!! Or so we thought, although the Tannadice man got the acclaim it was in fact an own-goal althought the replay showed that Dodds would have scored even without the Estonian's help. The cheer was even bigger this time and 'We Love you Billy - we do' nearly got going. The Scots scented blood and even the defence who'd been at sea for most of the game seemed to take inspiration from the new hero. Then, what the Estonians would later call the deciding factor. Their mullet-haired midfielder leapt clumsily for a header and nutted Callum Davidson (in true Glasgow style) - the crowd went berserk, this was the final injustice, was it Football or a free-for-all we were witnessing. Perhaps in an attempt to redeem some favour after the earlier blunders the ref showed Breem a second yellow-card and they were down to ten-men. So, however, were Scotland as Davidson could not see out of one eye and hed to receive 6-stitches. With 2 minutes on the clock scotland pressed on, Jackson even looked skillful at times - then the ball was spread out to Donnelly who worked magic with johnston then played it in to Dodds' feet, the man of the moment spun on a six-pence and fired low into the bottom-left (Derby's Mart Poom got a touch but who cares). Tynecastle erupted for a third time in tewnty minutes, this man Dodds was working some kind of magic which hadn't been seen since King Kenny (o.k. It wasn't that good but the sheer joy of winning moved people to exaggeration). Scotland held-on under a barrage of late corners and free-kicks, and then the crowd spilled onto the gorgie road for singing and dancing. Scotland had been lucky, but then England had not and that made victory all the sweeter.

Team: Leighton(6),Hendry(5),Boyd(7),Calderwood(3)rep. by Donnelly(7),Weir(7),Davidson(7),McKinlay(8),Durrant(6),Johnston(9), Gallacher rep. by Jackson(6),McCoist(4)rep. by Dodds(10). HOME

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