Connor and Sands on target in Wrexham

WALES   2   SCOTLAND  4 
–  UNDER 21 CELTIC CUP (MEN)

Graham Moodie, Scotland`s new under 21 men`s coach,
achieved his first win in charge when his side beat Wales 4-2 in
the Celtic Cup at Wrexham yesterday, a result that leaves the young
Scots in the runners-up spot behind
Ireland.  

The Scots controlled the play in the opening exchanges, chances
fell to Alan Forsyth and Ben Peterson, and in 28 minutes they took
the lead, Grange`s Matt Connor collected the ball inside the
circle, beat a defender and dinked the ball over the advancing
goalkeeper.   The Scots had a couple of penalty corners
late in the half, but there were no further goals.

Early in the second half the Scots youngsters doubled their
lead, Forsyth won the penalty corner and in a well-worked routine
Fraser Sands sent a flick high into the Welsh net.  
Scotland could have notched a third, Scots captain Michael Bremner
created the set piece with a great run but Sands low shot was
stopped by the Welsh goalkeeper.    Then Bremner
went from sinner to saint, firstly he had five minutes in the sin
bin for a high stick, and within minutes of his return won another
penalty corner and Sands duly obliged with another high shot into
the top left corner of the net for a 3-0 scoreline.

Rather than going on to consolidate their advantage, the
youngsters lost the plot temporarily, Forsyth paid a visit to the
sin bin and the Welsh immediately pulled one back.  
Wales really put the pressure on with a second goal a few minutes
later, a set piece strike gave Western Wildcats` goalkeeper Craig
Wallace no chance on his first international cap.

With the Welsh now pressing for the equaliser, the Scots finally
regained their composure and sealed the victory at a
breakaway.  Bremner started the move and his pass found
Forsyth and Connor in yards of space, the former drew the exposed
goalkeeper and his pass left Connor with a simple tap in for
4-2.

“We played well to the game plan and deserved to be three up,
but then we lost our shape and discipline, letting Wales back into
the contest with a couple of sloppy goals and put ourselves under
unnecessary pressure for a while, but nonetheless it was good to
record a win,” said Neil Allan, Scotland`s coach.

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