The Scotsman

Golden and White combine to spark win over Portugal

- By CRAIG MADDEN

Scotland advanced their case for qualificat­ion to the next round of the Hockey Series Open with a comfortabl­e 2-0 win over hosts Portugal in Lousada yesterday.

The young Scotland side dominated in every department in the first half but could not put the ball in the net.

The victory leaves the Scots in second place in the table, behind Russia but ahead of Belarus on goal difference.

The Scots were the livelier side in the first quarter with Grove Menzieshil­l’s Cameron Golden causing all sorts of problems for the Portuguese defence but without making a breakthrou­gh.

The second quarter produced more in the way of chances and Robbie Shepherdso­n had an effort from a narrow angle blocked by the keeper.

The Scots were awarded a penalty when Tim Atkins’ rebound shot was illegally stopped on the line by a defender.

Up stepped the experience­d Willie Marshall but the Surbiton player’s flick was easily saved by the keeper.

The second half looked like it was going to be a carbon copy of the first when Golden’s tenacity created a goalmouth scramble but nobody was able to force the ball home.

When the breakthrou­gh finally came it was created by Golden, whose cross from the right was swept into the net by Kyle White for his fourth goal of the tournament in only his second internatio­nal.

The tension in the closing minutes was finally lifted when the Scots were awarded another penalty for a deliberate stick chop and Wildcats’ Rob Harwood found the net.

Earlier, Russia beat Turkey 17-1, while it took a last-minute goal for Belarus to win 4-3 against Gibraltar.

Scotland face Gibraltar today and another win is essential to keep up the pressure at the top of the table.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom