Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
ROUND-UP Midlands trio in Scots squad to face Irish
THE Scottish men’s U/21 squad is in Belfast at the weekend for games against the Irish U/21s in preparation for the EuroHockey Junior Championships in St Petersburg from July 16-22.
The Scots’ pool opposition is Poland, Italy and Russia.
The squad for the Irish games includes Menzieshill players Aiden McQuade, Hamish Gault and, for the Sunday game, Cameron Golden.
The Scottish U/21 Ladies squad for three Test matches against England U/21 tomorrow, Friday and Saturday at Lillieshall sadly does not include any Midland players with Emily Dark and Katie Stott absent from the 18-strong squad
This is preparation for the EuroHockey Junior Championships in the Czech Republic from July 16-22 where the Scottish pool opposition is Turkey, Russia and the host nation.
Scotland’s men’s team, playing in the World League semi-finals at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London finished last when they lost 6-3 to Korea.
The outcome is Scotland miss out for a place in the World Cup Finals next year but, on the positive side, they will have gained experience for the European Club Championship II in Glasgow from July 2-16.
It will be interesting to see if coach Derek Forsyth makes any changes to his squad.
At present, the Midlands only representative in the pool of 18 is Gavin Byres (Grove Menzieshill).
Holland won the London event with a 6-1 win over Argentina in the final.
The Scottish Ladies are playing in the World Hockey League semi-finals in Brussels until Sunday.
They lost 4-0 to Holland, 2-1 to Italy and 5-0 against Korea but drew 1-1 against China.
This leaves the Scots most likely facing Malaysia to avoid the wooden spoon.
Scotland’s women’s head coach Gordon Shepherd said: “It was a tremendous effort by the players and, in the end, we were beaten by really clinical finishing, while we didn’t make the most of the opportunities we created.
“There’s a lot to be learned from these games and it’s about using this experience positively for the future.”
Local players involved were Becky Ward and Charlotte Watson (Dundee Wanderers) and Katie Robertson and Sarah Jamieson (Grove Menzieshill).
In the Home Nations O/40 men’s tournament at Southgate, the Scots opened with a 1-0 win over Ireland with Dundee Wanderers’ Paul Dailly netting the winner in the first half. Scots keeper Paul Gallacher (ex-Western and now Leeds) made a crucial penalty stroke save in the second half.
Other Midlands players in the squad were Doug Loudon (Menzieshill), Kevin Donachie and Ian Souter.
The Scots then had a 2-1 draw against Wales with goals by Chris Flight (ex-Harris FP) and Paul Dailly, after going one down. Once again, Gallacher made some crucial saves.
The Scots then lost 5-0 to England, who won the event but only on goal difference over both Ireland and Scotland.
The second of the Dundee Wanderers’ summer sessions is on Saturday at Dalnacraig.
All wishing to take part meet at 1.45pm. Bring both sets of kit plus £3 match fee and a couple of pounds for refreshments and the treasure hunt.
These summer sessions are open to all Wanderers, past and present. Any other players, male or female, interested in joining the club will be made very welcome, as will those wishing to try the game out.