Hockey News  

Controversy prevails in Wrexam

A controversial 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic has ended Scotland’s hopes of EuroHockey Nations promotion after a Niall Stott shot appeared to go through a hole the net, only to be disallowed.

Videos of the game clearly demonstrated a goal had been scored but Scottish protests, led by manager Alan Bryce, were dismissed on the basis the umpire’s decision cannot be altered.

Had Scotland won they would have marched on to the semi-finals and remained in with a chance of promotion to the elite Championship level.

Instead, they let a two-goal lead slip, and will now enter the relegation pool.

It was Scotland who started the brighter with Stott and Azzurri Kelburne team-mate Kenny Bain both guilty of wasting opportunities.

But the Scots finally took the lead when a flowing move including Graham Moodie and Stephen Dick was rounded off with a fine reverse stick volley from teenager Bain.

And Scotland were two to the good three minutes before the interval when Chris Nelson was fouled in the circle and Mark Ralph fired home the resulting penalty corner.

Nelson missed an excellent chance to put the game to bed ten minutes after the break but the Scotland defence then went to sleep and Jakub Kyndall’s quickfire double restored parity.

Stunned into life Scotland pushed for a winner but while late chances fell to Gavin Byers and Fergus Dunn, some fine goalkeeping, coupled with a hole in the net, denied Scotland a third.