Scotland U21 Women 3-1 Ukraine
Scotland U21 Women got their U21 EuroHockey Championship II campaign off to a winning start with a 3-1 victory over Ukraine. Cat Nelli and a double from Ava Smith gave the Scots the victory and they face Poland tomorrow in game two of the tournament.
Scotland started well and looked very composed on the ball, and eight minutes into the match they took the lead. Mhairi Low took the ball on the left from a successful press and played in Cat Nelli who finished clinically on her reverse stick to make it 1-0.
The Scots nearly bagged a second but a pass fizzed across goal evaded everyone and Ukraine resisted the Scottish pressure.
Scotland was good for its lead but Ukraine were difficult to break down and held the score at 1-0.
Straight after half time, Ukraine equalised after a ball into the circle took a double deflection and allowed Veronika Korobkina to round the keeper and score. 1-1.
Ukraine began to enjoy some pressure of their own and Scotland found their unorthodox style a challenge.
In the final quarter Scotland came out fast and was rewarded by a goal. Good build up on the left side was finished off by an Ava Smith deflection to make it 2-1 for Scotland.
Scotland enjoyed more success down the left and Smith bagged her second of the match with a superb reverse stick finish to complete the scoring with a 3-1 win.
Anna McWilliams was dynamic and aggressive in defence while Ava Smith was clinical with two goals from three chances. The Scots face Poland tomorrow in their second match of the tournament.
