EUROHOCKEY JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN GHENT – DAY 3

DOUBLE DISAPPOINTMENT AT GHENT

After today`s defeats in the final pool matches at the EuroHockey Junior Championships both Scotland`s men and women are now consigned to the relegation group for the remaining matches in Ghent.

Their objectives are now clear, second in the pool (that is 6th for the tournament overall) would ensure their survival in Europe`s elite in two years’ time. But only by achieving top spot in the pool (that is 5th overall) could the Scots youngsters automatically qualify for the Junior World Cup.

That is the task facing coaches Graham Moodie (men) and Neil Menzies (women) in their remaining two games. A tall order perhaps, but still achievable.

SCOTLAND 0 ENGLAND 6 (WOMEN)

Scotland`s women could have made the semi-finals if they had seen off England today, but it was not to be.

The first quarter was a bit of a downer for the Scots youngsters as they found themselves three adrift inside the opening 12 minutes. Martha Taylor opened at a penalty corner in only three minutes, then Maddie Axford doubled the tally from open play only a minute later.

England`s third came from Vicki McCabe and the Scots now had a mountain to climb.

The mountain simply got higher a minute into the second quarter with another penalty corner conversion from Martha Le Huray for the fourth, but the Scots did steady the ship and survived without further loss to the interval.

The Scots played out the third quarter without further concessions but created little in the way of clear-cut chances in the English circle, and even at the sole penalty corner the routine failed to function.

In the final quarter the English were disadvantaged by yellow cards to two of their players, but in the final ten minutes Becky Manton and Le Huray again added two more to their tally.

Head coach Neil Menzies said: “On the odd occasion we might win a one-off match against England but the nerves kicked in at the start and we lost three early goals, that was a killer and finished any chance of an upset. But England were a good side.”

Scotland v England in Ghent, 27 July 2022.   Photo: European Hockey Federation
SCOTLAND 0 BELGIUM 6 (MEN)

Once again the Scots youngsters had an uphill struggle against a talented Belgian side in front of their home crowd – and unfortunately the result was barely in doubt.

As with the women earlier in the day, Scotland`s men succumbed to the loss of early goals in the opening six minutes. Thomas Crols scored from close range when the Scottish defence failed to clear the danger, and then Guillaume Hellin doubled the tally after a good flowing move opened up the defence.

Scotland`s only attack proved to be a dangerous cross from Noah Jones, but there were no takers.

Just before the end of the quarter Crols added a third from close range following a goalmouth scramble. The Belgians had two penalty corners at this time but both were well blocked by Fraser Heigh.

The second period produced two further strikes for the Belgians, both scored by Guillaume Hellin for his hat-trick…and then he proceeded to celebrate his success in the sin bin for two minutes.

In the second half the Belgians continued to dominate possession and created several more chances but the Scottish defence stood firm to deny them…and that with a little good fortune.

Gradually the Scots began to create some chances of their own, at their first penalty corner Fraser Moran`s low shot was blocked by the keeper but his colleagues failed to convert the rebound. Then a good run and cross from John Stephen just eluded a lurking Dominic Smith.

But close to the end the Belgians finally added their sixth with a powerful reverse stick shot from Louis Depelsenaire.

Fraser Heigh had a late flourish with a couple of good runs but again there were no takers at the end.

Scotland v Belgium in Ghent, 27 July 2022.   Photo: European Hockey Federation

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