Scotland embroiled in European relegation dog-fight

Scotland Senior Women are fighting for survival in the EuroHockey Indoor Nations Championship II after the conclusion of the competition’s second day.

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A second minute Dolores Peranic goal was enough to consign the Scots to a 1-0 defeat against Croatia in their final pool match this morning.

More significantly, the loss consigned the national side to the relegation pool alongside the Balkan state, England and Wales.

Having carried no points from the first stage of the tournament, the match against Wales this afternoon was labelled ‘must win’.

Thankfully, a prolific first half in front of goal yielded four goals without reply.

Captain Vikki Bunce dispatched a penalty stroke in the third minute, followed by two penalty corner strikes from Amy Costello.

A Charlotte Watson goal from open play a minute from the end of the first period rounded off a dominant display from the Scots.

A second goal for Bunce shortly after the re-start made it 5-0, and Katie Robertson notched a sixth Scottish goal in the 28th minute.

Nevertheless, Wales responded to adversity with a three goal burst inside three minutes; Katrin Budd, Abigail Welsford and Joanne Westwood scoring in quick succession.

But the Scots saw the remainder of the match out to secure a vital three points with a 6-3 win.

With England beating Croatia in the proceeding pool match, Scotland find themselves locked on three points with the Croats.

Three points for Scotland against England tomorrow morning puts pressure on Croatia to better a Scottish winning margin by more than two goals against Wales.

However, anything less than a win will reduce the squad to a nail-biting seat on the sidelines to await the outcome of Croatia v Wales.

Fixtures and results can be found on the EuroHockey Indoor Nations Championship II website

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