Victory for Scotland and Ireland in men’s 4-Nations day one

Scotland 2-0 USA

Scotland men got off to a winning start in their men’s 4-Nations campaign with a 2-0 win over USA at Uddingston.

Scotland came out on the front foot and looked dangerous from the start. The Blue Sticks created a number of chances, with Ed Greaves coming close on a couple of occasion but unable to connect with passes across goal.

The opener would come soon enough and it was Kenny Bain who scored from close range to put Scotland 1-0 ahead. Bain arrived at the far post and reacted quickly to knock the ball home.

Scotland continued to dominate in the second quarter and went looking for a second goal. Cammy Golden fired a shot on the reverse after a lovely pass by Callum Duke, but the effort was well saved.

Then Golden was denied again by a tremendous save low to the right corner from a drag flick attempt towards the end of the half.

In the second half an excellent touch by Golden allowed him to fire a rocket at goal but the keeper stood up to it well, and saved.

A second goal would come soon enough and it was Duncan Riddell who made it 2-0 right at the end of the third quarter. A penalty corner was forced over the line by Riddell to double Scotland’s lead.

A third goal looked likely. First Alan Forsyth smashed a low shot from a tight angle but it was saved by keeper’s leg guards.

Then Forsyth zipped a tremendous ball across goal but Bain’s deflection looped over the bar.

USA thought they would pull one back but a sensational block by Murray Collins denied USA a goal.

Scotland continued to press for goals and Golden fizzed a shot just wide of the mark towards the end.

In the end a comfortable 2-0 win got the Blue Sticks off to a great start in the 4-Nations.

 

Ireland 4-1 Wales

Ireland got their men’s 4-Nations tournament off to a winning start with a 4-1 victory over Wales at Uddingston. Doubles from John McKee and Benjamin Walker gave Ireland the victory with Jolyon Morgan striking for Wales.

It was an intense opening to the contest with both teams playing attacking hockey at a high tempo.

John McKee put Ireland 1-0 ahead early doors with a penalty corner rebound high into the roof of the net.

Then came an excellent equaliser for Wales by Jolyon Morgan. On a counter down the left Gareth Griffiths sent a reverse cross to the far post for Morgan to finish. 1-1.

The second quarter was a more tactical affair with the midfield having a greater influence for both sides.

Ireland went back in front through a lovely penalty corner deflection by McKee, his second of the match to make it 2-1.

Early in the second half Ireland nearly scored through a delightful flowing move from their own corner flag, but the final effort went just wide.

Another penalty corner routine for Ireland allowed Benjamin Walker to slide in at the far post to make it 3-1.

Ireland’s fourth goal was a carbon copy of their third and it was Walker who converted at the post to make it 4-1.

Wales went searching for goals as the match reached its conclusion but there would be no more goals and it ended 4-1.

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