Scotland cruise past Czechs to claim third place finish in Prague

 

Scotland threw off the disappointment of failing to achieve promotion at the European Nations Championships II in Prague to take the bronze medal by thumping host side Czech Republic 5-1.
Derek Forsyth`s charges silenced the vociferous home support with a brilliant display of attacking hockey that left the Czech players chasing shadows in the Prague sunshine and perhaps should have produced more goals with more precise finishing.
“It was nice to come back from the disappointment of losing out on promotion to win bronze today, it`s a credit to the players, we will return a stronger team to win in two years time,” said Derek Forsyth, Scotland`s coach.
Although Forsyth was at pains to emphasise the team effort that contributed to this convincing victory, a catalyst was undoubtedly a hat-trick by Amsterdam striker Kenny Bain, his second of the tournament.
After a tentative start, the Scots first chance fell to Alan Forsyth, the Surbiton striker robbed a defender, advanced into the circle but his effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Scotland`s opener was only delayed a couple of minutes, a long ball found Bain, he promptly turned his defender and slipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.
Bain then turned provider for the second, he fed the ball on to Forsyth in space and his first-time shot this time slid under the goalkeeper.
The Czechs pulled one back from a penalty with Lucas Plochy netting from the spot.
Any glimpse of a comeback vanished with another Bain strike, he collected a through ball and took his time to beat the goalkeeper with a vicious low shot for a 3-1 advantage at the interval.
The contest was effectively over within a minute of the restart, the Scots were awarded a penalty corner and Bain rifled an unstoppable flick into the roof of the net for his hat-trick.
The Scots were in total command of proceedings and could have easily increased their tally, while at the other end Jamie Cachia between the posts was relatively redundant on his 50th international outing.
The Scots cause was further aided by boisterous rallying calls from the small band of Scottish supporters whose cheering and singing quickly silenced the more populous home fans.
Further chances emerged at the Scots pounded the Czech circle, Chris Grassick weaved his way past several stick chops only to find his shot blocked by the goalkeeper, a great three player move opened up the home defence but Forsyth was unable to find the net, while a Wei Adams penalty corner effort sailed well over the bar.
Forsyth then had two further chances to add to his single strike but both foundered on the positioning of the Czech goalkeeper.   Bain could have added to his personal tally, he was right through on goal but elected to pass rather than shoot from an excellent position.
However, in the final three minutes the Czech goalkeeper, who kept the score down with several good blocks, brought off another good save but this time teenager Murray Collins followed up to fire a low shot home for a final score of 5-1

Scotland threw off the disappointment of failing to achieve promotion at the European Nations Championships II in Prague to take the bronze medal by thumping host side Czech Republic 5-1.

Derek Forsyth`s charges silenced the vociferous home support with a brilliant display of attacking hockey that left the Czech players chasing shadows in the Prague sunshine and perhaps should have produced more goals with more precise finishing.

“It was nice to come back from the disappointment of losing out on promotion to win bronze today, it`s a credit to the players, we will return a stronger team to win in two years time,” said Derek Forsyth, Scotland`s coach.

EuroHockey-Sco-Cze-3068 (1280x853)

(Scotland Head Coach Derek Forsyth addresses his players after the full-time hooter)

Although Forsyth was at pains to emphasise the team effort that contributed to this convincing victory, a catalyst was undoubtedly a hat-trick by Amsterdam striker Kenny Bain, his second of the tournament.

EuroHockey-Sco-Cze-2594

(Striker Kenny Bain claimed his second hat-trick of the tournament against Czech Republic)

After a tentative start, the Scots first chance fell to Alan Forsyth, the Surbiton striker robbed a defender, advanced into the circle but his effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Scotland`s opener was only delayed a couple of minutes, a long ball found Bain, he promptly turned his defender and slipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

EuroHockey-Sco-Cze-2559

(Scotland’s Kenny Bain opens the scoring)

Bain then turned provider for the second, he fed the ball on to Forsyth in space and his first-time shot this time slid under the goalkeeper.

The Czechs pulled one back from a penalty with Lucas Plochy netting from the spot.

Any glimpse of a comeback vanished with another Bain strike, he collected a through ball and took his time to beat the goalkeeper with a vicious low shot for a 3-1 advantage at the interval.

The contest was effectively over within a minute of the restart, the Scots were awarded a penalty corner and Bain rifled an unstoppable flick into the roof of the net for his hat-trick.

EuroHockey-Sco-Cze-2685

(Hat-trick goal for Kenny Bain)

The Scots were in total command of proceedings and could have easily increased their tally, while at the other end Jamie Cachia between the posts was relatively redundant on his 50th international outing.

EuroHockey-Sco-Cze-2428

(Scotland goalkeeper Jamie Cachia receives a presentation from Performance Manager Callum McLeod for his 50th international cap)

The Scots cause was further aided by boisterous rallying calls from the small band of Scottish supporters whose cheering and singing quickly silenced the more populous home fans.

Further chances emerged at the Scots pounded the Czech circle, Chris Grassick weaved his way past several stick chops only to find his shot blocked by the goalkeeper, a great three player move opened up the home defence but Forsyth was unable to find the net, while a Wei Adams penalty corner effort sailed well over the bar.

Forsyth then had two further chances to add to his single strike but both foundered on the positioning of the Czech goalkeeper.   Bain could have added to his personal tally, he was right through on goal but elected to pass rather than shoot from an excellent position.

However, in the final three minutes the Czech goalkeeper, who kept the score down with several good blocks, brought off another good save but this time teenager Murray Collins followed up to fire a low shot home for a final score of 5-1.

EuroHockey-Sco-Cze-3007

(Murray Collins rounds off the scoring with Scotland’s fifth goal)

Please visit the EuroHockey Nations Championship II website for fixtures, results and pool standings.

(Words Craig Madden, Photo Credits Petr Toman)

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