Hockey: Scots are left with a mountain to climb

Published on 21/07/2012 01:39

SCOTLAND women’s under 21 side may have blown their chances of promotion after losing 2-1 to Lithuania yesterday at the European Nations Championships 11 in Aleksin, Russia.

Now, the Scots youngsters must beat favourites Russia to secure promotion in two years time.

It all started promisingly for the Scots, and they took the lead in 14 minutes through Nicola Skrastin before the Lithuanians equalised from a penalty corner.

In the second half the Scots found the Lithuanian goalkeeper in inspired form and the Eastern Europeans went ahead in the 59th minute.

Despite creating numerous chances, the Scots failed to equalise and coach Dave Stott was left to say: “We let ourselves down with some poor basics but were unlucky that the goalkeeper and defenders were on such good form.”