England whitewash Scotland in a two-match friendly series, 5-0: Hockey Update
The Scottish men lost their first game of the two-match English series against England by 5-0, played at Lilleshall on May 21. These matches are being played in order to get the team prepared for the upcoming European tour including the Champions Challenge
in France and the European Nations Trophy in Ukraine.
Before the beginning of the first match, one of Scotland’s key players Iain Scholefield injured his ankle which resulted into quick change of plan by the team’s management. Resultantly, the team failed to give an inspiring performance during the match.
By the end of the first half, England was leading with four goals on the scoreboard at 4-0. However the guest team tried to match-up with them in the second half but their efforts went in vain.
As a result, Scotland game-plan was quite composed in the second half. There were two potential attempts made by Gareth Hall and Alan Forsyth, but they failed to deliver the ball home. However, one of the only chances the team had for opening scores was
a penalty corner attempted by Daniel Coultas, but unfortunately, he failed to convert it and the ball was comfortably cleared by the English goal-keeper.
On contrary, in the last two minutes of the match, England was on the attack again with their fifth goal scored by the end of the match, closing the scoreboard at a single-handed victory by England at 5-0.
Scottish national men’s Team Manager, Eugene Connolly, said, "We showed a more character in the second half, but we can't afford to give teams such an easy time in the early stages."
The team’s Head Coach, Russell Garcia, believed that despite the fact that these matches were uncapped, it would allow the team for preparation for the summer events ahead this year.
Sixteen of the team players from Scotland consist of eight players from the Scottish National League champions, Glynhill Hotel Kelburne, that travelled to Lilleshall for the two-match of friendly series.
The next match is to take place on May 22, at the same venue in England.
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