Winning start in Aleksin

EUROPEAN JUNIOR NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIPS 11 – ALEKSIN
(RUSSIA)  –  15-21 JULY 2012

Dave Stott`s quest for a gold medal and promotion at the
European Junior Nations Championships 11 in Aleksin (Russia) had a
promising start when Scotland women`s under 21 side opened their
campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win over the Czech Republic
yesterday.

The nerves were there as the Scots youngsters went a goal down
in the opening ten minutes, but they retaliated to dominate the
remainder of the half.  Louise Campbell had the first real
chance, she broke through into the circle but her low drive was
blocked by the goalkeeper.  Not long after Nicola Skrastin
drove down the left, she crossed to Ali Howie but her shot went
agonisingly past the post.  Kerry Hall set up the next attack,
her shot rebounded to Fiona Bruce only for her reverse stick strike
to be saved by the Czech goalkeeper.

The equaliser finally came just five minutes from the interval,
Nikki Mollison`s penalty corner shot cannoned off a post, but it
fell kindly to Giffnock`s Alex Wilson whose reverse stick volley
flew past the goalkeeper for 1-1 at the interval.

The second half was almost total Scotland pressure and in 45
minutes it finally paid off, Hazel Hall made the opening up the
right and her cross came off the goalkeeper directly to Milne Craig
Western striker Fiona Bruce and her fierce reverse stick shot flew
into the roof of the net.  Although the Scots continued to
have most of the play, the third and decisive goal came from a rare
Scots counter-attack which found Stephanie McInally, she was
upended by the Czech goalkeeper in the circle and captain Kerry
Hall converted calmly from the spot to seal the points.

“It was a very positive start with good play for 90% of the
time, but given all the pressure and chances we had it was
nerve-racking that we could only finish the game 3-1 ahead,” said
Dave Stott, Scotland`s coach.
 

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