Mcquade the last-gasp hero as Scots edge out Wales in tense thriller

A last-minute penalty corner strike by Grove Menzieshill’s Aidan Mcquade gave Scotland a tense 3-2 win over a plucky Welsh side at the European Youth Championships 11 yesterday.

With the game heading for a disappointing 2-2 draw, the set-piece was won by the tenacity of Callum Mackenzie and Mcquade completed the award with a fierce, low shot.

The Scots are in pole position in the pool and are guaranteed a place in Friday’s semi-finals.

After an even opening spell the Scots shot themselves in the foot by giving away a needless penalty corner and were punished when a diving Tom Wood diverted the ball into the net. The Scots responded and won five penalty corners of their own, four came to nothing but the fifth was taken from a different angle and Mcquade fired home a low shot for the equaliser. There seemed to be more urgency in the Scots play in the second half and Dean Baber found the net from close range from a penalty corner rebound.

Despite having plenty of chances to seal the result it was the Welsh who scored against the run of play through Ioan Wall, setting up the tense finish.