ENGLAND STRUGGLE AGAINST SCOTLAND by Mike Haymonds in Boom

SAM QUEK was the match winner with her first senior international goal as England's women strucggled to beat a competitive Scotland 2-1 in their final pool game at the TriFinance EuroHockey Championship in Boom, Belgium.

The win clinched a semi-final place for England, who will meet the Netherlands on Thursday, while the Scots, who lost all their games by a single goal margin, playing above expectations, face the relegation pool.

A large number of the England squad had been hit by a stomach disorder which could have been a factor in their below-par performance.  But they still made a strong start with Lily Owsley and Georgie Twigg coming close.

In a first half which they dominated England made nothing of their only three penalty corners of the game but they took the lead two minutes before half time when Susie Gilbert's cross to the far post was deflected home by Hannah Macleod.

Alex Danson had an early chance for England but from then on Scotland called the tune and deservedly equalised in the 49th minute with a Nikki Kidd corner strike after England lost a video referral. England's reply, much against the run of play, came four minutes later when Quek fired home from close range.

England had to withstand mounting pressure as Scotland won five penalty corners in the later stages but they just held on for the win.

England coach Jason Lee said: "Scotland played to a better standard than we did and caused us a lot of trouble

"I think against Germany we had a poor result but played well and today we were poor but managed to take the three points and take a place in the semi-finals.

"We've got  a sickness bug running through the camp with nearly all the girls suffering from it. So energy levels were low today and we just had to do what we could to get through the game."


England's men meet Ireland today (Wed) in their final Pool B game with both teams vying for a place in Friday's semi-finals. A draw will be enough for England, who beat Poland 5-2 and lost 2-1 to the Netherlands in their previous games. Ireland lost 2-1 to Netherlands before beating Poland 4-2.