Hockey: Scots beaten but unbowed in Spain test

SCOTLAND’S hockey bosses remained upbeat last night despite their side losing the final match of their three-match series against Spain 2-0.

Coach Derek Forsyth had seen his men draw 2-2 and lose 1-0 in the previous games, but team manager Eugene Connolly said: “This series has been good for us.”

Two goals in three first-half minutes sealed Scotland’s fate in the heat of Terrassa but Connolly said: “We flew out on Saturday and if you’d said we’d draw a game and only lose the two others 1-0 and 2-0 then I’d have bitten your hand off.

“The Spaniards played their 18-strong Olympic squad. Considering where we are in developing our side and where they are just over a month from the Olympics, then I think we’re doing fine.”

Fife-born Jamie Cachia (Sheffield Hockey Club) boosted his rising reputation with another fine display in goal.

And Connolly praised the defensive qualities of the side as the Spaniards upped the tempo in search of a confidence-boosting win. “We’re satisfied with the result and we gave away more penalty corners in this game than we’ve done in the previous two,” he said.

“But the boys stuck to their task despite losing goals in the 23rd and 26th minutes.”