Scotland left Pole-axed by last gasp winning goal

Scotland were on the verge of a well-earned 1-1 draw with tournament favourites Poland in the opening pool match at the European Nations Championships II in Prague today, but with two seconds left they conceded a penalty corner goal to suffer a cruel defeat.

The reversal leaves Scotland`s promotion aspirations in the balance, they must now beat both Croatia tomorrow and Ukraine on Wednesday to reach the semi-final stages and keep alive their hopes of a place in Europe`s top flight in two years time.

The latter encounter might not be an easy affair, Ukraine thumped the Croats 10-5 in a goal feast in the other pool match following this morning’s early encounter.

“It was very disappointing to lose in such a manner, we paid the price of not putting our chances away when we had them.   We then allowed the Poles back into the game and gave away two soft goals,” said a gutted Derek Forsyth.

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(Scotland Head Coach Derek Forsyth rues missed chances from his side)

The Scots took the game to the talented Poles in the early exchanges and both Alan Forsyth and Dan Coultas at a penalty corner, and Wei Adams, all had chances to take the lead.

The best chance of half was created by a great run by Kenny Bain but his cross left Chris Grassick with perhaps too much time and the Scotland captain`s great opportunity to open the scoring vanished.

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(Scotland’s Wei Adams is denied by a good save.)

Then a brilliant long ball by Coultas found Bain alone in the Polish circle but his deflection was directed straight at the goalkeeper.

Jamie Cachia in the Scotland goal had yet to touch the ball but just before the interval his clean sheet was only preserved by a brilliant goal line save by Forsyth at the first Poland penalty corner.

Two minutes into the second half Alan Forsyth made and scored Scotland`s opener, he waltzed along the bye-line and in the resulting scramble the Surbiton striker retained possession of the ball and slipped it under the Polish goalkeeper.

Although a further couple of scoring chances fell to Bain, it was clear that the reversal had stimulated the Poles into action.

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(Scotland marksman Kenny Bain in action against Poland)

There was a clear let-off for the Scots at a Polish set piece, Ross Stott saved on the line only for the rebound to be sent into the net the rebound fortunately the umpire had already blown.

There was a further scare, at the next Polish penalty corner the shot was blocked by runner Nicky Parkes, in the action he sustained a kne injury but was still able to walk off the pitch.

At the other end teenager Hamish Imrie had a clear opening but perhaps made the wrong decision by shooting at the Polish goalkeeper when a pass to the unmarked Adams was the better option.

The Scots defence, which had hitherto dealt perfectly with the Polish strikeforce, was finally caught napping and Krystian Makowski took full advantage to level from close range.

The Poles were now closing in for the winner and with seconds left they were awarded their sixth penalty corner and Pawel Bratkowski stepped up to launch his drag flick into the roof of the net past an outstretched Cachia for the cruel winner.

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(Poland captain Pawel Bratkowski celebrates his winning goal on the full-time hooter to leave Scotland devastated)

Please visit the EuroHockey Nations Championship II website for more information.

(Words by Craig Madden, Photo Credits Petr Toman)

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