Difficult afternoon for Scotland’s U18 sides in Europe

 


Scotland`s boys came down to earth with a bump when they went down
4-1 to Austria in the second pool match in the European under 18
Nations Championships in Cernusco, Italy.  The circumstances
were bizarre as the Scots had six players unavailable, two were in
the stand injured, three were suffering from sun stroke while Craig
Falconer was suspended after his red card against Italy.   In
the emergency, Durham`s Blair Fotheringham, the first choice
goalkeeper, stepped into the centre forward spot, and ironically
scored Scotland`s only goal.

The Austrians controlled proceedings in the first half with two
goals from Bartosz Szmidt and Philip Schmidt, with the beleaguered
Scots restricted to a lone venture into the opposing circle.

The Austrians moved into a four goal lead midway through the second
half through Szmidt again and Christoph Turek.  Grange`s
Duncan Riddle did have the opportunity to pull one back but he
failed to make contact with the ball and the chance evaporated.
 The Scots finally got a consolation with six minutes left,
Riddell made the opening up the left, both Aidan Black and Craig
Morton had their efforts saved by the goalkeeper but Fotheringham
stroked the rebound home like a veteran striker.

The Scots now have to beat Ukraine tomorrow to secure a semi-final
spot and retain their dream of promotion.

In the opening game in Utrecht, Scotland`s under 18 girls went down
3-0 to a well drilled Belgian side.  The Scots dominated the
early proceedings and chances fell to Emma Barlow and Sarah
Robertson.   Although Belgium clawed their way back into the
game, the Scots had a gilt-edged chance to take the lead with the
award of a penalty stroke, but CALA Edinburgh`s Hazel Hall failed
to beat the keeper from the spot, and the score was goalless at the
interval.

Although Scotland defended well with keeper Nicki Cochrane and
Kirsty Hill in good form, the Belgiums went two up, both goals
rebounds after initial saves from Cochrane.  As the Scots
pushed up to get back into the contest, the Belgians scored a third
from a counter-attack.

“We played well against a good Belgian side, the girls were far
from disgraced, but now we must regroup for today`s game against
Ireland,” said Colin Clarke, Scotland`s coach.    In the
other pool match Ireland were beating 4-0 by hosts Holland.

Scotland’s U18 sides found the going tough in their
respective European competitions, as the U18M went down 4-1 to
Austria and the U18W lost their opening pool encounter against
Belgium 3-0.

For Scotland U18M, it was their second pool match in the
EuroHockey U18 Nations Championships in Cernusco, Italy.
 Graham Dunlop’s side found themselves in unfortunate
circumstances pre-match with six players unavailable; two were in
the stand injured, three were suffering from sun stroke, while
Craig Falconer was suspended after his red card against Italy
yesterday.

In the emergency, Durham`s Blair Fotheringham, the first choice
goalkeeper, stepped into the centre forward spot, and ironically
scored Scotland`s only goal.

The Austrians controlled proceedings in the first half with two
goals from Bartosz Szmidt and Philip Schmidt, with Scotland
restricted to a lone venture into the opposing circle.

They then moved into a four goal lead midway through the second
half through Szmidt again and Christoph Turek.

The Scots finally got a consolation with six minutes left,
Riddell made the opening up the left, both Aidan Black and Craig
Morton had their efforts saved by the goalkeeper but Fotheringham
stroked the rebound home like a veteran striker.

They now have to beat Ukraine tomorrow to secure a semi-final
spot and retain their dream of promotion.

Meanwhile, in the opening game in Utrecht, Scotland`s U18W went
down 3-0 to a well drilled Belgian side.  The Scots dominated
the early proceedings and chances fell to Emma Barlow and Sarah
Robertson.

Although Belgium clawed their way back into the game, the Scots
had a gilt-edged chance to take the lead with the award of a
penalty stroke, but Hazel Hall’s shot was saved by the keeper from
the spot, and the score was goalless at the interval.

Although Scotland defended well, with keeper Nicki Cochrane and
Kirsty Hill in good form, the Belgiums went two up, with both goals
coming from rebounds after initial saves from Cochrane.  As
the Scots pushed up to get back into the contest, the Belgians
scored a third from a counter-attack.

“We played well against a good Belgian side, the girls were far
from disgraced, but now we must regroup for today`s game against
Ireland,” said Colin Clarke, Scotland`s coach.

In the other pool match Ireland were beaten 4-0 by hosts
Holland.

 

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