A hat-trick from Olympian Niall Stott helped Scotland to a 7-3 victory over England in last night’s friendly international at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.
 
It was England who took initiative first when Simon Egerton scored from their opening penalty corner just three minutes in.  Inverleith`s Adam MacKenzie levelled the scores with a low shot from a set piece that deflected home off the keeper`s stick.  Then Niall Stott (Kelburne) put the Scots 2-1 ahead with a volley that flew high into the net off the keeper`s legs.
 
The Scots proceeded to put the English under the cosh after the interval.  Stephen Dick (Inverleith) made it 3-1 from another penalty corner, and then Chris Wilson (Menzieshill) finished off a penetrating passing move from close range for the fourth.

Will Naylor stemmed the tide with England`s second, but midway through the half Stott struck again when his set piece effort crept in at the bottom corner off a defender.
 
England then threw caution to the wind and replaced their keeper with a kicking back, but it proved counter-productive as it simply allowed Kenny Stibbles (Menzieshill) to make it 6-2 when he had the space to roll the ball into the unguarded net. 

Egerton grabbed his second to make it 6-3, but on the final hooter Stott notched his hat-trick with a vicious shot into the roof of the net.
 
Scotland`s men’s manager Dave Reid said: "This was a good start to our programme for the European Nations Trophy next month, but we`ve still got a few things to work on."

Earlier in the evening, Scotland`s women went down 3-1 to England in the initial stage of their build-up for the European Indoor Nations Championships in Duisburg, Germany next month.

The Scots went behind to a bizarre goal early on, the initial shot removed keeper Carmin Dow`s (Dundee Wanderers) helmet which fell on the ground, the rebound hit Dow on the unprotected cheek and England’s Jo Ellis scored with the follow up. 

In 14 minutes Suzie Gilbert put the home side two up with a well taken open play strike.

Eight minutes into the second half the result was sealed when Chloe Rogers rounded Dow to put the English further ahead.  Just before the whistle Dundee Wanderers` playmaker Vikki Bunce provided the consolation with a first time shot following a pass from Amy Rowan (Dundee Wanderers).

Scotland`s women’s manager Marjery Taylor said:  “It’s disappointing to lose, but this was the squad`s first game.  We’ll settle in and the results will come.”