U18 boys secure final place after Poland win

 

Greaves Clydesdale striker Ben Peterson was the
hero of the hour, his single goal mid-way through the second half
was sufficient to give Scotland`s under boys a well-earned 1-0
victory over Poland in the semi-finals of the European Nations
Championships in Cernusco, Italy.  This results has secured
the Scots youngsters their destiny, promotion to Europe`s top
flight in two years time and also a place in tomorrow`s final
against either Austria or Switzerland.
The Scots kept their cool throughout with no cards
at all during the contest, while the Poles had several bouts of
indiscipline which collected two green cards along with four
yellows, and at one time they had only eight players on the
pitch.
After a rather dull start in the opening 15 minutes
with no chances at all to either side, the Scots created the first
opportunity but Corey Hastings` shot was easily dealt with by the
Polish goalkeeper.  The Poles then took the initiative with
four penalty corners, but they either blocked by Blair Fotheringham
or went wide of the target.  Scotland`s only effort came with
a run up the right by Aidan Black, but the chance came to nothing
when Jonny Roy contrived to miss the ball.
The Scots almost took the lead in the opening
minutes of the second half, a cross from the right by Peterson was
deflected goalwards by a diving Hastings but was easily blocked by
a Polish defender on the line.  The Poles then shot themselves
in the foot by having three players sent to the sin bin in rapid
succession, but the Scots failed to take advantage of their
numerical superiority, Craig Falconer and Ross McIntyre both shot
wide from promising situations.
But the match-winning goal was only delayed a few
minutes, ironically after the Poles were back to a full complement
of players.   A Polish hit out only went as far as Scott
Lindsay, he passed the ball on to Duncan Riddell who proceeded to
waltz past two defenders, his shot was blocked by the keeper and
Peterson pounced on the rebound to volley home.
In a frantic last few minutes the Poles pressed to
save the game, but they proceeded to waste three penalty corner
opportunities.  There was a dramatic ending to the match, the
Poles were awarded a final set piece in overtime, but the award was
eventually overturned following consultation between the two
umpires.  The result was a bit of a fracas between the Polish
players and the umpires, but it was the Scots who deservedly
claimed the crucial promotion spot.
Meanwhile, in Utrecht Scotland`s under 18 girls
perhaps rather predictably lost 11-1 to tournament favourites
Holland in the final pool match to finish bottom of their group.
and are now officially consigned to the relegation pool.  
Despite the heavy scoreline, the Scots youngsters were the first
side to score a goal against the powerful Dutch, at 7-0 CALA
Edinburgh`s Kirsty Hill stroked home a penalty corner, but little
more than a consolation.   Despite the one-sided nature of the
contest, coach Colin Clarke marked out Laura Page and Bethan Mann
as being outstanding.
The Scots now face Spain today and then France on
Sunday, and they must beat both to guarantee avoiding the drop.
 Belgium also join the relegation dog-fight after losing 1-0
to Ireland, but the points gained by Belgium in the opening day 3-0
victory over the Scots will be carried into the relegation
pool.

Greaves Clydesdale striker Ben Peterson was the hero of
the hour, as his single goal midway through the second half was
sufficient to give Scotland U18M a well-earned 1-0 victory over
Poland in the semi-finals of the European U18 Championship II in
Cernusco, Italy.

The result ensure the Scots have met their pre-tournament target
of promotion to Europe`s top flight in two years time and also a
place in tomorrow`s final.

The Scots kept their cool throughout with no cards at all during
the contest, while the Poles had several bouts of indiscipline
which collected two green cards along with four yellows, and at one
time they had only eight players on the pitch.

After a slow start in the opening 15 minutes with no chances at
all to either side, the Scots created the first opportunity but
Corey Hastings` shot was saved by the Polish goalkeeper.

The Poles then took the initiative with four penalty corners,
but they were either blocked by Blair Fotheringham or went wide of
the target.  Scotland`s only effort came with a run up the
right by Aidan Black, but the chance came to nothing.

The Scots almost took the lead in the opening minutes of the
second half, a cross from the right by Peterson was deflected
goalwards by a diving Hastings but was blocked by a Polish defender
on the line.  Poland then shot themselves in the foot by
having three players sent to the sin bin in rapid succession.

The match-winning goal was only delayed a few minutes;  a
Polish hit out only went as far as Scott Lindsay, he passed the
ball on to Duncan Riddell who proceeded to waltz past two
defenders, his shot was blocked by the keeper but Peterson pounced
on the rebound to volley home.

Meanwhile, in Utrecht, Scotland U18W came up agains the might of
favourites Holland in the European U18 Championships. Perhaps
unsurprisingly, they lost 11-1 to the Dutch in their final pool
match to finish bottom of their group.

Despite the heavy scoreline, the Scots youngsters were the first
side to score a goal against the powerful hosts; at 7-0 CALA
Edinburgh`s Kirsty Hill stroked home a penalty corner. 
Despite the one-sided nature of the contest, coach Colin Clarke
marked out Laura Page and Bethan Mann as being outstanding.

The Scots now face Spain tomorrow and then France on Sunday, and
they must beat both to guarantee avoiding the drop.  Belgium
also join the relegation dog-fight after losing 1-0 to Ireland, but
the points gained by Belgium in the opening day 3-0 victory over
the Scots will be carried into the relegation pool.

 

 

 

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