Bain & Forsyth double-up to defeat France in Vienna

EuroHockey Nations Championship II: Scotland (Forsyth 28′, 70′, Bain 34′, 47′) 4-1 France (Martin 27′)

Scotland Senior Men bounced back from yesterday’s loss to Azerbaijan with a thumping 4-1 victory over France in the EuroHockey Nations Championship II competition in Vienna today.

Strikers Alan Forsyth and Kenny Bain bagged a brace of goals each, while Scotland goalkeeper Jamie Cachia also saved a second half penalty stroke, as the national side put themselves firmly back in contention for a semi-final place and a crack at promotion to the Championship in 2015.

Wales are the next opponents for Derek Forsyth’s charges on Thursday as the sides take a rest day tomorrow.

Moodie & Forsyth France Euros

(Scotland’s Graham Moodie and Alan Forsyth celebrate after the final hooter. Credit: Herbert Kratky)

After today’s emphatic victory delighted Scotland Senior Men Team Manager Eugene Connolly said, “The team put in a great peformance today in temperatures that reached 36 degrees. The players worked their socks off, displayed excellent teamwork and stuck to a disciplined game plan.

“The game was far more open than in yesterday’s game against Azerbaijan so we had plenty space to exploit and create chances for our strikers. Interestingly, we went the whole game without being awarded a penalty corner but when you score four goals from open play, that’s what counts.

“We now face Wales on Thursday and will know where we stand in regards to reaching the semi-finals as France and Azerbaijan play first. Obviously a win for Azerbaijan would aid our cause.”

Ian Moodie France Euros

(Ian Moodie has the attention of the French defence to deal with in Vienna. Credit: Herbert Kratky)

The opening stages of the first half mirrored yesterday’s game with neither side able to break the deadlock inside the first twenty-five minutes. However, the contest sprung into life with three goals in a seven minute spell just before half time.

In the 27th minute, it was France who took the lead when Simon Brisac Martin found the back of Jamie Cachia’s goal to make it 1-0.

However, Scotland hit back back immediately in the 28th minute when Alan Forsyth collected a pass from Gavin Byers and the Surbiton’s striker’s firmly struck shot had enough power to beat Matthias Dierckens’ parry to level the scores at 1-1.

With half-time approaching, Kenny Bain ensured his side would go into the interval with a 2-1 advantage when he converted Byers’ pass from the left hand touchline in the 34th minute.

In the 47th minute, Ross Stott found Byers again with a beautiful pass and the Grove Menzieshill midfielder played in Bain one on one with the ‘keeper. The THC Hurley marksman rounded Dierckens to slot the ball home for a 3-1 lead.

France thought they had a chance to get back into the game shortly after as they were awarded a dubious penalty stroke for a deliberate block on the goal-line, but Jamie Cachia maintained Scotland’s two goal advantage with a great save low to his left.

Cachia pen save France Euros

(Scotland goalkeeper Jamie Cachia pulls off a fine penalty save. Credit: Herbert Kratky)

Head Coach Derek Forsyth then had to watch his team defend several penalty corners but the Scottish defence stood steadfast under pressure from the French to repel the threats on goal.

With the match almost over, Forsyth rounded off the scoring with Scotland’s fourth, and his second goal of the game, in the 70th minute when the ball was scooped forward by the Scottish defence and he beat the French kicking back to easily flick the ball into the empty net.

Wei Adams France Euros

(Wei Adams in action against France. Credit: Herbert Kratky.)

Scotland Men: Jamie Cachia (Sheffield Hallam), Graham Moodie (Edinburgh University), Paul Martin (Grove Menzieshill), Alan Forsyth (Surbiton), Russell Anderson (Brooklands), Ian Moodie (Western Wildcats), Chris Nelson (Glynhill Hotel Kelburne), Kenny Bain (THC Hurley), William Marshall (Glynhill Hotel Kelburne), Iain Scholefield (Qui Vive), Wei Adams (Royal Penguins), Callum Duke (Edinburgh University), Ross Stott (Grove Menzieshill), Chris Grassick (Surbiton), Gavin Byers (Grove Menzieshill), Nick Parkes (Surbiton), David Forsyth (Qui Vive).

Please visit the EuroHockey website for more information about fixtures, results and pool standings.

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