Scotland men to play for bronze after defeat to Ireland

Scotland men will play Italy for the bronze medal after a 4-1 defeat to Ireland in the Men’s EuroHockey Championship II semi-finals.

It was a good start for Scotland, who had the first chance of the match when Andy McConnell powered through on goal, but the defence closed him down quickly to block.

Then Ireland had two penalty corner opportunities, but the Scots’ defence was equal to them, and blocked both efforts well.

The opening quarter ended goalless, but Scotland edged the play, and they continued to look dangerous in the second quarter.

Scotland opened up the Irish down the right, after a speedy counter by Lee Morton, earning his 100th combined Scotland and GB cap, but the Ireland defence blocked the danger, with a last ditch challenge.

Despite Scotland’s first half success it was Ireland who took the lead early in the second half. An attack down the right saw the ball bounce fortunately for Jeremy Duncan, who slammed the ball home for 1-0.

Scotland almost equalised quickly after a good run by Morton, and an exchange with Tommy Austin set up Rob Field for a shot, but it was well saved to deny the goal.

Ireland started to pile on the pressure and it paid off when Ben Johnson doubled their advantage. A pass from the right was deflected at the near post for 2-0.

Scotland kept battling and Jamie Golden had two drag flicks saved as he set about finding his sixth goal of the tournament.

In the final quarter Ireland went 3-0 ahead. A Lee Cole penalty corner was sunk into the bottom right corner to further Ireland’s advantage.

Before long, another corner finish into the bottom right corner by Cole made it 4-0 to Ireland; an almost carbon copy of the third.

Scotland had a late rally, and Alan Forsyth scored with a powerful low effort at a penalty corner rebound to pull one back. 4-1 to Ireland.

There would be no further goals and Ireland booked their place in the final, with Scotland looking for revenge on Italy to claim the bronze.

Ireland 4-1 Scotland (J. Duncan; B. Johnson; L. Cole x2 / A. Forsyth)

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