Scots secure European status with magnificent Ireland win

EuroHockey Nations Championship: Scotland (Ralph 26′, Kidd 29′, Cram 50′) 3-1 Ireland (O’Flanagan 21′)

Scotland Senior Women have retained their place in the EuroHockey Nations Championship after a fantastic 3-1 win over Ireland this morning.

Goals from Cat Ralph, Nikki Kidd and Holly Cram ensured that the Scots will compete at this level in two years time when the competition will be staged in London.

Speaking after the match Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “We’re absolutely delighted to be staying in the competition. The players, the coaches, the volunteers and supporters here have all been fantastic throughout the competition and this is where Scotland belongs.

“We still have a few things to work on but the girls have played some fantastic hockey this week and should be proud. There is still more to come from Scotland.”

(Scotland players celebrate at full-time. Credit: Frank Uiljenbroek)

With Scotland requiring only a draw to ensure European survival, it was Ireland who embarked on the early offensive, winning a penalty corner within the first five minutes. Luckily for the Scots, Cliodhna Sargent’s attempt drifted wide of the right hand post off Kareena Marshall’s defensive intervention.

Scotland goalkeeper Amy Gibson was called into action in the ninth minute, making a routine save from Gillian Pinder’s shot on target, before the Scottish number one was off her line quickly to prevent Naomi Carroll letting loose on goal ten minutes later.

However, persistent Irish pressure paid off in the 21st minute when neat interplay between Nikki Symmons, Pinder and Alex Speers led to Anna O’Flanagan having the simplest task of tapping the ball into the emply net to leave the Scots trailing at 1-0.

Scotland responded strongly and won a crucial penalty corner in the 26th minute. Cat Ralph’s strike was well saved by Ireland goalkeeper Emma Gray but Niamh Atcheler was adjudged to have fouled inside the circle and Scotland were awarded a penalty stroke. Up stepped Ralph to calmly stroke the ball past Gray to level the match at 1-1.

Three minutes later, a foul on Vikki Bunce led to another Scottish penalty corner and Nikki Kidd made no mistake as she rattled the ball past Gray for a 2-1 lead.

Another Gibson save from an Ireland penalty corner on the stroke of half-time made sure that the Scots went into the break with an important one goal cushion.

(Morag McLellan on the march against Ireland in Belgium. Credit: Frank Uiljenbroek)

Indeed, Scotland could have extended that one goal margin shortly after the interval when they were awarded a penalty stroke for an illegal use of the foot at a penalty corner.

However, Ralph’s strike from the sport agonisingly cannoned off the outside of the left hand post and Ireland were left to breath again.

The goal that eventually made sure that Scotland would keep their place in the elite division came when a penalty corner was awarded for a push on captain Linda Clement in the 50th minute.

The injection was played to Kidd who, instead of going for a direct shot on goal, played the ball to Holly Cram at the back post and the Clydesdale Western striker swept the ball past Gray into the net to make it 3-1.

(Holly Cram sweeps home the ball to give Scotland a third goal. Credit: Frank Uiljenbroek)

Nikki Lloyd almost made it 4-1 when her cheeky lift over Gray came back off the right hand post in the 55th minute, while Skrastin also came close with a low drive at the Ireland ‘keeper.

Ireland visibly tired during the last ten minutes and it was obvious that they had given enough to the contest, allowing Scotland to take the pace out of the game.

As the full-time hooter sounded, cue celebrations among the players, coaches and management staff; a result and outcome that rewards Scotland for months of hard work, training and commitment.

Scotland retain their place in the EuroHockey Nations Championship and will travel to London in two years time to take their place amongst Europe’s elite.

(Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd and Cat Ralph. Credit: Frank Uiljenbroek)

(Scotland players walk off with European target achieved. Credit: Frank Uiljenbroek)

To find out more about Scotland’s final position and their results, please visit the EuroHockey 2013 website.

Scotland Senior Women: Amy Gibson (Clydesdale Western), Nicola Cochrane (Edinburgh University), Vikki Bunce (Dundee Wanderers), Morag McLellan (Clydesdale Western), Alison Bell (Grove Menzieshill), Catriona Ralph (Clydesdale Western), Samantha Judge (Edinburgh University), Holly Cram (Clydesdale Western), Linda Clement (Captain, Grove Menzieshill), Kareena Marshall (Western Wildcats), Leigh Fawcett (Grove Menzieshill), Rebecca Merchant (Edinburgh University), Nikki Kidd (Edinburgh University), Susan McGilveray (Clydesdale Western), Nicola Lloyd (Sevenoaks), Alison Howie (Clydesdale Western), Nicola Skrastin (Clydesdale Western), Emily Maguire (Reading)

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