Scots miss bronze on penalties

FIH CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE  – BRONZE MEDAL
MATCH

SCOTLAND  2   IRELAND  2 
aet  –  Ireland won 4-3 on pens

Scotland missed out on the bronze medal at the FIH
Champions Challenge in Dublin when they went down 4-3 in a penalty
shoot-out to hosts Ireland after the sides finished level 2-2 after
extra time.

Gordon Shepherd, Scotland`s coach, had set his initial target
for the top six, his charges have well surpassed that by finishing
fourth among countries listed above them in the world rankings.

The penalty competition started well enough for the Scots, Nikki
Kidd, Sam Judge and Vikki Bunce all scored and goalkeeper Amy
Gibson had saved one of Ireland`s efforts for a 3-2
lead.   But then it all went pear shaped, Ailsa Wyllie
overran the allotted eight seconds, Kareena Marshall on her 50th
cap sent her shot wide, meanwhile the Irish calmly scored their
final two chances to take the bronze.

The Scots started brightly with a couple of early chances to
Vikki Bunce and Nikki Lloyd, but both were
cleared.     Scotland went in front in six
minutes, the build-up was by Bunce and Lloyd, leaving Ali Bell to
finish the move with a low shot from a narrow angle.  
The Irish gradually came back into the contest and equalised when
Emma Smyth bundled the ball over the line.   The Scots
subsequently lost the initiative and goalkeeper Amy Gibson was
called up on a few occasions to come to the rescue, one a brilliant
stick save on a ball that was heading for the top corner of the
net.

Scotland started the second half with purpose, and in three
minutes Judge fired home a powerful low shot to regain the lead
after Morag McLellan and Lloyd had set up the
opportunity.   There were chances at both ends, Wyllie`s
chance was just foiled by the keeper`s stick, and the same player`s
hard shot was just missed Sarah Robertson`s stick.   In
the meantime, Ireland had four penalty corners which were easily
mopped up by Gibson.  Gordon Shepherd`s charges seemed to be
holding out for the narrow win, but with five minutes left Niamh
Atcheler levelled from a penalty corner.

The Irish had the better of the first half of extra time, they
hit the goal frame and Gibson made two fine saves to deny Irish
penalty corners.   The Scots had the chance near the end
to take the match, Kidd`s powerful drag flick at a penalty corner
was pushed on to the left hand post by the Irish goalkeeper, and at
the subsequent set piece the same player`s shot again brought out
the best from the keeper……..and so on to the penalty
shoot-out.

Inverleith won the Presidents Cup with a 3-0 win over Grange in the
all-Edinburgh final at Peffermill.   The foundation was
laid with two penalty corner strikes by Fabian Wolski in the first
half.   Inverleith were down to nine players when they
mounted a breakaway and John Harris scored with a reverse stick
shot into the roof of the net to seal the victory.

Milne Craig Western won the women`s Peregrines Cup with a nine
goal victory over a very weakened Grove Menzieshill side.

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