Praise for Scots despite England defeat

Edinburgh Reporter

5 days ago

Scotland opened their EuroHockey campaign with a 3-0 defeat by England in Germany, and now must re-group ahead of their clash with Spain on Monday (12.30 BST).
Field goals from Fiona Crackles and Lily Walker and a penalty corner strike from Lily Owsley made the difference, but Scotland's Great Britain squad goalkeeper, Jessica Buchanan, made some outstanding saves during the 60 minutes in Monchengladbach.
England used the high press in to make it difficult for the Scots to move out of their own half, but Scotland threatened on the left and Sarah Jamieson forced the English rearguard back.
Back came England and Jennfier Eadie and Amy Costello had to work hard to shepherd the ball to safety.
The deadlock was broken with three minutes left of the opening quarter in a counter-attack. Lily Owsley initially sparked the move which ended when Fiona Crackles was found unmarked in the D and she slotted under advancing goalkeeper Buchanan.
The scoreline stayed the same until the break, but the Scots were stung 45 seconds into the second quarter when Tessa Howard broke from inside the opposition half and sent a diagonal ball low into the D and Lily Walker bravely dived to deflect the ball into the backboard.
Buchanan had to pad the ball to safety after another English break, this time down the right, and the red shirts upped the pressure on the Tartan Hearts in search of a third.
It did not help that Scotland were down to ten when Bronwyn Shields was shown a green card for knocking the ball away five minutes into the second quarter, but Chris Duncan's team survived.
Consumate dribbling skills from Amy Costello set up a chance for the Tartan team, but England nullified the danger, however the ball stayed in the danger area and Charlotte Watson drove to the by line but she was again snuffed out by the resolute English rearguard.
Scotland were, however, enjoying possession and Heather McEwan picked up the ball high in the D but her shot failed to test the English goalkeeper.
The play switched to the Scotland D and Howard forced Buchanan to save high before goal scorer Crackles was given a green card. Scotland pressed, using their numerical advantage, switching the ball from side to side looking for an opening, but the tight-knit England defence held firm.
Overall, there were two different quarters, England, ranked No 8 in the world, dominating the opening and Scotland, seven places below them, the second, creating a number of chances on the edge of the D. Encouraging for the Scots fans in the stands.
The air temperature was rising all the time, making it hard work for the players, in this Pool B clash, and the Scots needed to build on the second quarter when they posed questions for the English defence.
The Tartan team needed an early goal to get them back into the game, but it was England who broke first, Grace Balsdon picking up the ball and feeding unmarked Howarth at the top of the D, but she fired just wide of Buchanan's right-hand post.
Then Scotland broke and Jamieson found herself one-on-one with the England goalkeeper, but the ball finished in the hot-stops pads, seconds later Jamieson worked the ball towards goal and deep into the England D.
She pushed the ball towards goal past the goalkeeper but Anna Toman popped up to clear on the line, Scotland's best chance of the game. That sparked the Scots who forced England back, posing more questions.
Katie Birch was handed a green card for a challenge, a controversial award for not backing away, and England pressed, Sophie Hamilton having a chance, and they hemmed the Scots into their final third, but the English side failed to break through.
Great Britain player, Charlotte Watson, forced a penalty corner following a driving run into the heart of the English rearguard, but the ball was quickly released upfield by Lizzie Neal and this forced a great save from Buchanan.
So, it stayed 2-0 going into the final 15 minutes and Scotland drove forward, only for England to counter. They forced a penalty corner and Jen Eadie saved from Howard then Buchanan's pressure resulted in Taylor fluffing her shot and the ball was cleared.
Scotland suffered a real blow when Sarah Robertson was given a five-minute yellow after 48 minutes then, two minutes later, England captain Flora Peel was then handed a ten-minute yellow for what was deemed a dangerous tackle.
Buchanan was again the centre of attention as she finger tipped the ball away at the near post and that movement denied Darcy Bourne the chance of a clear shot before Rebecca Birch was
caught on the knee by the ball.
Scotland were under pressure and David Ralph's England were awarded a penalty corner. A switch across the top of the D saw Owsley smash the ball home for 3-0 with 8min 12sec left.
Robertson came back on to give Scotland a full complement of players for just over six minutes of the game left.
They won a penalty corner but England shifted across to block a shot from Amy Costello and the Tartan Hearts stayed on the offensive but they were unable to breach the English defence before England broke and Buchanan's pads saved Scotland after a flowing move from inside the English half.
Seconds before the final whistle, Jamieson picked up a ball on the left and powered into the D before unleashing a shot which flew just wide before the final whistle blow.
Post-match, Maddie Axford complemented Scotland on their display, conceding that Scotland were really difficult to play.
FOCUSED: Jess Buchanan (right) with Scotland coach, Chris Duncan. Picture Nigel Duncan
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