Another exciting draw in Walcz as Scotland and Poland u21 go toe-to-toe

An exciting and competitive encounter between Scotland and Poland U21 men ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw in Walcz. It follows the 2-2 draw the previous day with both competitive matches ending honours even, and with the Scotland squad introducing many U18 players to their first taste of U21 hockey.

Scotland started the match strongly, edging the opening quarter possession. It was in the second quarter that their vibrant play brought about the opening goal of the match. A Scotland free hit on the left allowed James Nairn to fizz the ball into Kyle Gladwin who deflected the ball into the roof of the net for a sublime finish to take the lead.

It didn’t take long for the Scots to double their advantage; Andrew McConnell took the ball in his own half and powered forward at pace into the Polish D, he slipped the ball to the far post and Owen Jenkins-Garcia slid in to prod the ball into the net for 2-0.

Poland pulled one back on the cusp of half time. The home side was awarded back-to-back penalty corners; the first was well saved but the second was slammed home to bring the sides in at 2-1 to Scotland at half time.

Scotland had chances to further their advantage in the third quarter, particularly through two penalty corner opportunities. The first was flicked high and saved well, while the second was saved low with Fraser Heigh zipping the rebound over the bar on the reverse.

With ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter Scotland got their deserved third goal. Again McConnell powered into the D and slipped it for Jack Jamieson to slide in and finish for 3-1.

The Poles quickly struck back with a powerful penalty corner blasting into the net at the left of the goalkeeper.

Then with just under two minutes remaining in Walcz Poland equalised taking advantage of a slow Scottish set-up to engineer a two-v-two opportunity, they dribbled into the D and eventually forced the ball home in the second phase to make it 3-3.

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