A nap hand for Coultas just not enough in Lisburn

SCOTLAND  5  SOUTH AFRICA  6 
–  CELTIC CUP IN LISBURN

Five set piece strikes by Durham University defender Dan
Coultas was just not enough as Scotland finally went down 6-5 to
South Africa, a side ten places above the Scots in the world
rankings and on their way to the London Olympics, in the final game
of the Celtic Cup in Lisburn to finish in third
place.  

It was a brave effort by the Scots who came back from 4-0 down
midway through the first half, and there is no doubt that new coach
Derek Forsyth has instilled a sense of grit into his youthful side
which bodes well for the future. 

In a seven minute spell Thornton McDade, Ian Haley (2) and Lloyd
Norris-Jomes gave South Africa a comfortable four goal lead, all
open play goals which gave Allan Dick no chance at all.  
But the Scots continued the fight, Alan Forsyth won the penalty
corner and Coultas converted with a low drag-flick.   The
Durham University player had a chance to score again at an overtime
penalty corner, but this time his effort was saved by the
goalkeeper.

The South Africans were taken aback as the Scots gradually ate
into their lead, four minutes into the second half Coultas pulled
another back from a penalty corner strike low to the keeper`s
right.   Then the Durham player made it 4-3 from the
spot, Kenny Bain won another set piece and Coultas` strike cannoned
off the goalkeeper and then the body of a defender on the
line.  The Scots were then level after another Coultas
unstoppable drag-flick flew high into the
net.   

Almost immediately the South Africans rallied to take the score
to 6-4 through Norris-Jones and a penalty by Andrew
Cronje.   There followed a moment of madness, Forsyth
fired the ball into the net just on the umpire`s whistle, the
enraged keeper pushed Forsyth in the face with his glove and was
promptly consigned to the sin-bin.   Coultas beat the
substitute keeper from the spot for 6-5 and a grandstand
finish.  The Scots pushed for the equaliser in the final four
minutes but the nine-man South Africans successfully shut up
shop.

“I was very proud of the team`s performance, we gave ourselves a
mountain to climb when we went four down, but to the players`
credit they climbed that mountain,” said Graham Stuart, Scotland`s
manager.   “We just kept on going and pushed an Olympic
team hard, they knew they had been in a very competitive
game.   There is now an excellent team spirit, there`s
also a competitive ethos, and that bodes well for the forthcoming
World League.”

SCOTLAND 1  IRELAND 4  –  CHALLENGE MATCH UNDER 16
GIRLS IN LISBURN

The Scots youngsters competed well against a powerful Irish side
and the score was 1-1 for a substantial part of the game, the
Scottish strike coming from Eilidh Thomson (Inverleith & George
Watson`s).  But the visitors lost their way in the final ten
minutes and conceded three goals.

“We actually played very well, but had no cutting edge,” said
Bill Robson, Scotland`s coach.

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