Hockey: Derek Forsyth off to a flier as Scots top pool with winning start

Published on 30/06/2012 00:00

DEREK Forsyth enjoyed a debut win in his first official tournament as Scotland’s head coach, as two goals from Kenny Bain helped ensure a convincing 3-0 win over Wales on the opening day of the Celtic Cup in Lisburn.

The Scots go top of the pool on goal difference from Ireland who beat South Africa 4-2 in an earlier game. Despite a goalless first half the Scots dominated proceedings and could have been well ahead at the interval. But three minutes into the second half, the Scots finally went ahead as Bain received the ball at the top of the circle and fired home. Wales then had their only sustained period of pressure but Scots keeper Allan Dick was on hand to frustrate their two chances at goal.

A fierce reverse stick shot by Ross Stott flew wide of the post, but the second goal was not long in coming, a fierce cross from the right by Forsyth found Bain, the striker was under pressure from a Welsh defender but still managed to nudge the ball over the line. The game was over as a contest with three minutes left when Forsyth slotted home after fine work from Chris Nelson and Bain.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s women continue to defy the world rankings under coach Gordon Shepherd after they emerged 2-1 winners over an Ireland side four places above them in the opening game of the Celtic Cup in Lisburn. The result means that the Scots only need to draw with Wales to retain the trophy for another year. Scotland dominated the early proceedings, a Nikki Kidd drive went just over the crossbar while minutes later Holly Cram intercepted a pass in the Irish circle, her initial shot was saved by the Irish goalkeeper, Catriona Ralph followed up with a shot from the top of the circle but this time the keeper saved on the line. Nicola Skrastin created the next opening, she passed the ball on to Sam Judge but her fierce drive was saved by the keeper diving to her right.

However, the Irish started to come back into the game, Aileen Davis cleared off the line by scooping the ball over the bar and then Amy Gibson in the Scotland goal saved a high drag flick from an Irish penalty corner. The opener for the Scots came from a solo run by Ali Bell, she drove up the right into the circle and fired the ball past an unsighted Irish goalkeeper. Minutes later the Scots went two up at their first and only penalty corner of the contest, the ball was switched left to Becky Merchant who passed it back to Ailsa Wyllie and the Grove Menzieshill player swept the ball into the net.

The Irish pulled one back through Chloe Watkins, but it was the Scots who pressed near the end and further chances fell to Cram, Judge and Nicki Lloyd.