Cruel last gasp goal
20 January 2012
EUROPEAN INDOOR NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIPS (WOMEN) - SLAGELSE (DENMARK) - 20 -22 JANUARY 2012
SCOTLAND 3 FRANCE 4
No luck for the Scots in the women`s European Indoor Nations Championships, needing only a draw to qualify for the promotion pool and drawing 3-3 with France with only 10 seconds to go, Gordon Shepherd`s charges conceded a controversial penalty corner and lost 4-3, and are now consigned to the relegation group. Pressure was put on the Scots when Switzerland trounced hosts Denmark 6-1 in an earlier game, requiring the Scots to get at least a point from the French game or lose second spot to the Swiss on goal difference.
Scotland`s cause was made more difficult when the French went into an early two goal lead. The Scots retaliated, Amy Brodie won a penalty corner and the same player scored with a low shot. Brodie was also involved in the equaliser, at another set piece she slipped the ball left for Nikki Kidd to score with a powerful flick. But just on the interval the French made it 3-2 after their play was left unmarked in the circle.
Although the game descended into a midfield stalemate, there were isolated chances, Amy Gibson made a brilliant diving save to frustrate the French while at the other end Kareena Marshall`s snap shot went wide of the target. The equaliser came in 32 minutes, Nicky Lloyd and Kareena Marshall combined to open up the French defence and the former found the net with a low shot at the far post.
In the final seconds the Scots seemed to be dealing with the ball in their circle, but then conceded the fatal penalty corner for a cruel defeat.
The Scots are now up against Slovakia, Russia and Denmark in the relegation pool, but with the advantage of the three points gained in Friday`s 5-4 victory over the Danes.
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