Opening day wins for Scotland sides in European competition

The ideal start for Scotland in the European
Nations Championships this afternoon, the women saw off Wales 1-0
in Poznan while the men beat hosts Ukraine 2-1 in their opening
pool match in Vinnitsa.
It was a rather sluggish performance but Gordon
Shepherd`s charges managed to grind out a victory over a
well-organised Welsh side, courtesy of a piece of opportunism from
captain Linda Clement for the only goal and some fine saves from
Abi Walker at the other end.
After the pre-match presentation to striker Holly
Cram on the occasion of her 100th cap, the Scots opened brightly
with Nikki Kidd the main danger from three penalty corners, but
there was no way past the Welsh goalkeeper.   Wales also had
their chances to open the scoring but their efforts found Walker in
an obstinate mood.  There was a let-off for the Scots when the
Welsh had the ball in the net, but fortunately it was correctly
disallowed by the umpire for dangerous play.
Set piece chances fell to Kidd and Sam Judge early
in the second half, followed by a touch of fortune about the
Scotland goal.  Leigh Fawcett created the opening down the
right, Clement picked up the ball on the by-line and her shot cum
cross from a narrow angle was deflected into the goal by a Welsh
defender.
The game went into the doldrums for most of the
rest of the half, but Walker had a magnificent one-handed save from
a Welsh set piece to preserve the slender lead.  The Welsh had
a dangerous breakaway with two minutes remaining, but Walker again
came to the rescue with a fine interception and Catriona Ralph
completed the clearance to take the three points.
The men took the three points from their game
against Ukraine, but it could have been a much more comfortable
score line if chances had been taken.  In the opening
exchanges a Dan Coultas penalty corner effort rattled off a post
while a switch to Stephen Dick at another set piece saw his shot go
wide of the target.  The Scots finally went ahead in 20
minutes, Kenny Bain created the opening down the right, his shot
came high off the goalkeeper and Willie Marshall volleyed home the
rebound.  Despite all Scotland`s pressure, the Ukrainians
equalised with the last hit of the first half.
Graham Moodie made the running up the inside right
channel, his pass found Gordon McIntrye in a lot of space and he
send a vicious shot in at the left hand post for a 2-1 lead. The
Scots continued to press for a more comfortable score line, Gavin
Byers shot wide while Coultas sent his set piece over the bar, but
there was no further scoring.

It was the ideal start for Scotland in the European
Nations Championship II competitions this afternoon, as the women
saw off Wales 1-0 in Poznan while the men beat hosts Ukraine 2-1 in
their opening pool match in Vinnitsa.

It was a rather mixed performance but Gordon Shepherd`s charges
managed to grind out a victory over a well-organised Welsh side,
courtesy of a piece of opportunism from captain Linda Clement for
the only goal and some fine saves from Abi Walker at the other
end.

After the pre-match presentation to striker Holly Cram on the
occasion of her 100th cap, the Scots opened brightly with Nikki
Kidd the main danger from three penalty corners, but there was no
way past the Welsh goalkeeper, who was in fine form.

Wales also had their chances to open the scoring but their
efforts found Walker in an obstinate mood.  However, there was
a let-off for the Scots when the Welsh had the ball in the net, but
fortunately it was correctly disallowed by the umpire for dangerous
play.

Set piece chances fell to Kidd and Sam Judge early in the second
half, followed by a touch of fortune about the Scotland goal.
 Leigh Fawcett created the opening down the right, Clement
picked up the ball on the by-line and her shot cum cross from a
narrow angle was deflected into the goal by a Welsh defender.

The game went into the doldrums for most of the rest of the
half, but Walker had a magnificent one-handed save from a Welsh set
piece to preserve the slender lead.  The Welsh had a dangerous
breakaway with two minutes remaining, but Walker again came to the
rescue with a fine interception and Catriona Ralph completed the
clearance to take the three points.

Meanwhile, the men also took the three points from their openin
game against Ukraine, but it could have been a much more
comfortable scoreline.

In the opening exchanges, a Dan Coultas penalty corner effort
rattled off a post while a switch to Stephen Dick at another set
piece saw his shot go wide of the target.

The Scots finally went ahead in 20 minutes, as Kenny Bain
created the opening down the right, his shot came high off the
goalkeeper and Willie Marshall volleyed home the rebound.
 Despite all Scotland`s pressure, the Ukrainians equalised
with the last hit of the first half.

Scotland hit back when Graham Moodie made the running up the
inside right channel and his pass found Gordon McIntrye in a lot of
space, where he send a vicious shot in at the left hand post for a
2-1 lead. The Scots continued to press for a more comfortable score
line, Gavin Byers shot wide while Coultas sent his set piece over
the bar, but there was no further scoring.

 

 

 

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