Mixed fortunes for Watsonians in Europe

WATSONIANS  1   GANTOISE (BELGIUM) 5

Watsonians women were defeated 5-1 by Gantoise at the EuroHockey League Final 12. Watsonians did see off Railway Union in some style earlier, and getting to the latter stages will surely be enough to see a Scotland women`s side qualified for next year`s tournament. If so, that would be mission accomplished for Keith Smith`s side.

One penalty corner and one resulting goal for Gantoise was all that separated the sides at the interval – Stephanie Van Den Borre was the scorer.

But the Belgians opened up in the second half, within two minutes they had won three penalty corners and at the last Borre got her second strike.   Later in the third quarter Louise Van Hecke added a third for Gantoise to seal off the result.

The Belgians went further ahead in the final quarter, Borre converted another penalty corner for her match hat-trick to be followed by an open play strike from Fee Van Den Abelle for 5-0.

However, there was a consolation in the air for Watsonians, with seconds to go they were awarded a penalty and Emily Dark duly scored from the spot to end in a positive note.

 

WATSONIANS  4   SV ARMINEN (AUSTRIA) 2

Watsonians men’s European debut continues to prosper, in the second pool match they were 4-2 winners over host side SV Arminen in front of their home crown – not a bad achievement at all.

As a result Watsonians go to the top of the pool and a victory over bottom side Plzen-Litice from Czechia on Sunday would retain pole position and provide a place in Monday`s final.

This is what captain Luke Campbell had to say on the occasion, “We started brilliantly with two early goals, we embraced the role of underdogs this time and that worked well for us.   We carried great threat going forward, finished our chances clinically and defended when we had to.

“It sets up another big game tomorrow against a good Czech team who play fast attacking hockey.”

Playing in front of the home crowd in European competition can be daunting but not so for Watsonians in the opening quarter with a couple of goals to the good.   The opener came in only two minutes from Tommy Orr to settle the Scottish jitters.    The Edinburgh side then had a penalty corner which came to nothing but almost immediately after Guy Rowson doubled their tally from open play.  And that is how it stood at the end of a very successful first quarter.

Watsonians lived dangerously in the second quarter, they had to survive two penalty corners and the Austrians also squandered a chance from the spot, but in the final minute of the half Maximilian Kelner finally found the net at a third set piece.    So the match went into the interval poised at a narrow 2-1 lead for Watsonians.

However, Watsonians retaliated immediately into the second half, after only two minutes Charlie Jack restored their two goal advantage to calm the nerves.   And their noses went further in front just before the end of the third quarter, at their third penalty corner in a row Charlie Jack finally found the net for an impressive 4-1 lead.

That lead survived six penalty corner opportunities for the Austrians, but no breakthrough.   That is until the final minute when Kelner finall scored from the set piece – but only a consolation…the game was well won by then.

 

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