Bromac Kelburne And Edinburgh University Both Win In Europe

EUROPEAN CLUB CHAMPIONS TROPHY AT THE GLASGOW NATIONAL HOCKEY CENTRE (MEN)

FRIDAY 13 MAY TO MONDAY 16 MAY

 

BROMAC KELBURNE  2    MINSK  (BELARUS) 1

A game of two halves, Bromac Kelburne struggled to find any flow in the first period, but proceeded to take the second half by the scruff of the neck to beat Belarus champions Minsk 2-1 in the opening pool match of the European Club Champions Trophy at Glasgow Green yesterday.

The result means that the Paisley side take pole position in the pool after Irish side Banbridge and Rotweiss Wettingen from Switzerland drew 2-2 in an earlier contest.

The opening half was one of frustration for the Paisley side, their normal flowing play was stifled by a fit and determined Minsk side.

To make matters worse Kelburne fell behind in only 13 minutes, at their first penalty corner a well-worked routine opened up the home defence and Mikita Karol finished off the move with a powerful low shot.

Soon after the Scottish champions should have levelled, the ball eventually fell kindly to Lee Morton but the youngster dragged the ball wide of the target from close range.

The lively Minsk side continued to cause problems especially long, hard strikes into the circle caused the Kelburne defence considerable problems, while at the other end several attacking moves showed promise but failed to trouble the Belarus goalkeeper.

Kelburne came out a different side in the second half and could have levelled at an early penalty corner but Joss Cairns shot went wide of the target.

The equaliser was only slightly delayed, a good attacking move resulted in a goalmouth scramble and Ross Macpherson was on hand to squeeze the ball past the goalkeeper.

 

The Belarus defence was having problems dealing with the darting solo runs by Morton.    Midway through the half the Paisley side deservedly took the lead, Jack MacKenzie created the opening for Iain Scholefield, the player/coach`s first effort was blocked by the goalkeeper but he retained his compsoure to fire the rebound into the net.

Kelburne will now play Swiss side Wettingen today and another win would put the Paisley side in line for the final.

 

EUROPEAN CLUB CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE 1 IN PRAGUE (WOMEN)

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY 3  SWANSEA CITY  0

 

Edinburgh University marked their baptism on the European stage with a 3-0 win over Welsh side Swansea City in the opening day of the women`s European Club Champions Challenge 1 in Prague yesterday.

 

In the cut-throat format of a four team pool competition it is so important to get off to a winning start, and the Scottish champions overcame their early nerves to take the hard-fought points in the end.

It took the students the first half to adjust to the European challenge and they had to settle for a goalless draw at the interval.

 

The breakthrough finally arrived midway through the second half when Ellie Hutcheson found the net with a reverse stick shot after the Welsh goalkeeper made the initial save.

 

The result was still in the balance until the final six minutes, player/coach Sam Judge latched on to a cross from the left by Lara Tomkins and fired the ball into the net to double Edinburgh`s tally.   

With three minutes left Becky Dru added a third with a powerful drag flick at a penalty corner.

 

EUROPEAN CLUB CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE 2 IN LILLE (WOMEN)

 

Grove Menzieshill started their European Campaign against hosts Lille MHC. After a hard fought first half the score was 0-0 at half time. The host then stepped up the pace and were overall winners at the end of the match by 4 goals to nil.

Grove Menzieshill’s next fixture sees them take on HC Rotweiss Wettingen.

 

Article by Craig Madden.

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top