Blue Sticks cruise to win over Czech Republic

 

Scotland Senior Men stormed to a convincing 9-1 win against the Czech Republic in the first of three international matches at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre this afternoon.
Defender Dan Coultas, on the occasion of his 50th cap, along with strikers Kenny Bain and Alan Forsyth claimed two goals each, while Lee Morton, Michael Bremner and Hamish Imrie were also on the scoresheet for the Scots.
Scotland dominated from the off, taking an early lead inside five minutes; a strong run from Kenny Bain found Alan Forsyth in front of goal, the Surbiton marksman presented with the easiest of opportunities to tap home the opening goal.
Two minutes later, Michael Ross found Lee Morton with a splendid long-range pass and the Kelburne youngster took full advantage of the space he was afforded by the Czechs to slot the ball past goalkeeper Tomas Hanus.
In the 19th minute, Bain’s fizzing reverse stick was tipped over the bar by Hanus, but the Czech shot-stopper could do nothing to prevent Dan Coultas from putting the home side 3-0 up from a penalty corner only a minute later.
Another penalty corner award for the Scots in the 23rd minute led to the fourth goal, Coultas’ deflected strike finding the back of the net to put his side firmly in control of the contest.
There was no let-up in pressure from the Blue Sticks and in the 26th minute, Bain’s stinging shot was too hot to handle for Hanus and the ball bobbled over the line to make it 5-0.
Bain was unlucky not to make it 6-0 shortly after half-time, his reverse stick effort just missing the right hand corner of the goal.
Scotland were not left waiting for the sixth goal for much longer though, Hamish Imrie and Lee Morton combining to give Michael Bremner the final touch past Czech replacement goalkeeper Jiri Zelenka.
The visitors did make it onto the scoresheet in the 45th minute however, captain Daniel Piterak providing a neat finish to beat Scotland goalkeeper David Forrester and pull one goal back for the Czechs.
The Scots responded with two goals inside sixty seconds; Alan Forsyth putting away a penalty stroke after being on the receiving end of an illegal stick tackle, before Bain sealed his second goal of the game, sliding in at the back post to finish off a Scotland penalty corner set-play.
Imrie rounded off the scoring five minutes from full-time after his shot found the top corner of the net at another penalty corner.

Scotland Senior Men stormed to a convincing 9-1 win against the Czech Republic in the first of three international matches at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre this afternoon.

Defender Dan Coultas, on the occasion of his 50th cap, along with strikers Kenny Bain and Alan Forsyth claimed two goals each, while Lee Morton, Michael Bremner and Hamish Imrie were also on the scoresheet for the Scots.

Dan Coultas

(Defender Dan Coultas notched two goals on his 50th international match. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

Scotland dominated from the off, taking an early lead inside five minutes; a strong run from Kenny Bain found Alan Forsyth in front of goal, the Surbiton marksman presented with the easiest of opportunities to tap home the opening goal.

ScotM_Czech_ 55

(Scotland’s Alan Forsyth opens the scoring with the first of his two goals. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

Two minutes later, Michael Ross found Lee Morton with a splendid long-range pass and the Kelburne youngster took full advantage of the space he was afforded by the Czechs to slot the ball past goalkeeper Tomas Hanus.

In the 19th minute, Bain’s fizzing reverse stick was tipped over the bar by Hanus, but the Czech shot-stopper could do nothing to prevent Dan Coultas from putting the home side 3-0 up from a penalty corner only a minute later.

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(Dan Coultas executes a drag-flick to give Scotland a 3-0 lead. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

Another penalty corner award for the Scots in the 23rd minute led to the fourth goal, Coultas’ deflected strike finding the back of the net to put his side firmly in control of the contest.

There was no let-up in pressure from the Blue Sticks and in the 26th minute, Bain’s stinging shot was too hot to handle for Hanus and the ball bobbled over the line to make it 5-0.

Bain was unlucky not to make it 6-0 shortly after half-time, his reverse stick effort just missing the right hand corner of the goal.

Scotland were not left waiting for the sixth goal for much longer though, Hamish Imrie and Lee Morton combining to give Michael Bremner the final touch past Czech replacement goalkeeper Jiri Zelenka.

The visitors did make it onto the scoresheet in the 45th minute however, captain Daniel Piterak providing a neat finish to beat Scotland goalkeeper David Forrester and pull one goal back for the Czechs.

The Scots responded with two goals inside sixty seconds; Alan Forsyth putting away a penalty stroke after being on the receiving end of an illegal stick tackle, before Bain sealed his second goal of the game, sliding in at the back post to finish off a Scotland penalty corner set-play.

Imrie rounded off the scoring five minutes from full-time after his shot found the top corner of the net at another penalty corner.

The two sides meet tomorrow in the second match of the series at 15.00

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(Hamish Imrie rounded off the scoring for Scotland in a 9-1 win. Photo Credit: Duncan Gray)

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