Scots duo help GB to opening match win

Great Britain women enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Korea in their opening match of a four nations tournament in Cordoba, Argentina, yesterday.

Two Scots, Laura Bartlett and Emily Maguire, both of whom play for English side Reading, were in the GB side as they prepare preparation for the FIH Champions Trophy in Rosario at the end of this month, but goalkeeper Abi Walker had to watch from the stand.

The Koreans took the lead after only three minutes but Leicester’s Crista Cullen equalised ten minutes later and, five minutes into the second half, another Leicester player, Rebecca Herbert, put GB into a 2-1 lead. The result was sealed midway through the second half with a cute deflection by Reading’s Alex Danson.

Afterwards head coach Danny Kerry said: “The first half was very stretched and I thought 1-1 was a fair reflection. In the second half we took really good control of the game and created good opportunities. I’m pleased with the result.”

In the other game host Argentina went to the top of the table with a 7-3 win over New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Scotland women’s indoor squad travel to Slagelse to take on Switzerland, France and hosts Denmark in the pool competition of the European Nations Championships II.

“My targets are to develop players and see how some new players deal with the pressures of international hockey but we will be looking to finish in the top two and achieve promotion,” said head coach Gordon Shepherd.

Shepherd has not picked indoor specialists but rather established outdoor internationals including Kat Cameron, Kareena Marshall, Nikki Kidd and Leigh Fawcett and young talent in the shape of Amy Brodie, Susan McGilveray and Nikki Lloyd.

Scotland open their campaign today with fixtures against Denmark and Switzerland.