Scotland’s u-21 women maintained their 100% record with a third successive victory today, this time defeating a physical Russian team 3-0, to set up a semi-final match with Poland on Friday at the EuroHockey Junior Nations Trophy in Prague.

A goalless first half was followed by an action-packed second period, with Scottish shots hitting the post and the Russian goalkeeper’s helmet, but failing to find the net.

Captain Nikki Kidd, who scored a first-half hat-trick hat-trick against Ukraine earlier in the week, continued her hot streak of form by deflecting in a cross from Becky Merchant in the 43rd minute.

Kidd then stole the ball at a 16-yard hit and slipped it to Amy Rowan to score four minutes later.

And, at a messy penalty corner in mid-half, the scoring was completed by Kareena Marshall to finish off Russian ambitions.

Manager Sheila Gray said: “We started off well, with a penalty corner in the first minute, but then it went a bit stalemate for the rest of the first half.  We didn’t play our game.

“A good talk from Dave [coach Dave Stott] at half time got the girls fired up to raise their game and show Russia what a good team we are.  We had a lot of chances in the second half, more in addition to what we got on the board.”

Looking forward to facing Poland, Gray explained: “Results in recent test matches give us confidence; we know we can beat Poland but we’re not assuming anything. Test matches don’t compare to the semi-finals of the Europeans and we’re not taking it lightly. However, we will go in with absolute determination to get to the final.”

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