Magnificent seven for Scots in Lousada

WORLD LEAGUE – LOUSADA

SCOTLAND   7  PORTUGAL 0

Scotland stormed into pole position on their own in the
single pool competition with a 7-0 victory of hosts Portugal in the
first round of the World League in Lousada, a result that
guarantees the Scots will be in the second stage of the tournament
in the new year.

The Portuguese were shell-shocked with a whirlwind performance
by Scotland that gave them a five goal advantage in the opening 20
minutes.    Alan Forsyth set the ball rolling with a
pass on to Kenny Bain for a simple tap in to open the scoring in
seven minutes.   Almost immediately it was a carbon copy
goal involving the same players, but this time Forsyth tapped in
after Bain had set up the chance for the second. In 17 minutes
Niall Stott drew two players and passed the ball on to Nelson who
pushed the ball into the bottom corner.

The Purtuguese was now reeling under the pressure, this time a
Willie Marshall reverse stick pass from the left was deflected into
the net by Gavin Byers for the fourth.   Chris Grassick
then waltzed past several defenders and fired a firm shot into the
net to give the Scots an unassailable 5-0 lead at the interval.

With the contest over, the Scots took their foot off the pedal
in the second half, but still managed a sixth goal in 37 minutes,
Bain embarked on a solo run down the left, entered the circle and
fired a fierce reverse stick shot past the
goalkeeper.    With eight minutes left Byers was
fouled in the circle and Dan Coultas sent his spot effort into the
roof of the net for a magnificent seven.

“The first 20 minutes was our best performance for a long time,
we were five up, and job done.   I must say we played
some delightful hockey today, ” said Eugene Connolly, Scotland`s
manager.

It was a fine present for Iain Scholefield who celebrated his
100th cap in this game – only the 11th male player to achieve such
a mile stone.

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