Pain against Spain /Defeat leaves Scots needing help to avoid European relegation

Scotland conceded a devastating late goal to lose 2-1 to Spain at the RABO Eurohockey Championship in Amsterdam yesterday.

The result means that, to avoid relegation, Scotland now need to win their final match against Czech Republic tomorrow and hope for Ireland to lose to Spain with goal difference ending in Scotland’s favour.

The early stages of yesterday’s contest were tight and nervy with both sides struggling to get a grip of the game.

Sarah Robertson made some good runs for Scotland, powering through the centre of the pitch, but she was unable to create any clear openings.

The Spanish side then began to put the Scots under pressure as the first quarter wore on and they did take the lead.

A run into the Scotland D from the right-hand side eventually saw the ball find its way to Begona Garcia, who slipped it under Scotland

0 Spain’s Rocio Ybarra, left, vies with Scotland’s Katie Robertson in Amsterdam. goalkeeper Amy Gibson to make the score 1-0.

Spain nearly grabbed a second goal when they stole the ball in the Scotland half and raced toward the D. However, Gibson was quickly out to block and Amy Costello cleared the danger.

Scotland’s first chance of the match fell to Charlotte Watson midway through the second quarter but she didn’t make a good connection with her reverse stick shot, and it pinged up into the air instead of the net.

Spain again almost made it 2-0 early in the second half when Marta Segu latched on to the ball in the Scotland D and produced a save from Gibson.

The Spanish continued to press in search of a second goal but the Scottish defence was resolute. And the equaliser came when the ball fell kindly for Sarah Jamieson in the Spanish D. Her shot struck a defender on the line, resulting in a penalty stroke.

Nikki Lloyd stepped up and sent the ball into the top left corner.

However, Spain retook the lead with just five minutes remaining when the ball was smashed into the Scotland D and Carlota Petchame deflected it past Gibson.

Scotland battled on but couldn’t break Spain down to get a crucial equaliser.

They can still sruvive but it would need a 3-0 win over Czech Republic and a defeat for Ireland against Spain.

Coach Gordon Shepherd said: “We’re really disappointed with the result. The girls worked really hard and played well but it didn’t go our way in the end. A point would have been great but hopefully we’ll have another opportunity on Saturday to stay in the division.

“We’ll prepare for the match against Czech Republic and hopefully the result in the other match goes in our favour.”