Reports from Alanya provided by Patrick McAllister:
Clydesdale Western recorded their second win in as many games in EuroHockey Club Challenge II with a dominant performance against Stade Français in Alanya on Saturday morning.
Fiona Semple and Heather O’Brien once again were on the scoresheet following on from their goals in the opening game. Those goals came either side of a Karin Belch goal which secured five points and leaves Derek Forsyth’s side with a great chance of securing a Promotion Play-Off spot of Club Challenge II.
Unlike Friday’s game, the Titwood girls settled into the game better. But their French opponents were denied on two occasions from penalty corners. Semple then scored from a Clydesdale Western corner, deflecting in from a Belch pass akin to a set piece routine executed against SV Arminen. The second quarter passed without too much concern for either side, probably suiting the L1s given their goal advantage.
But it was after half time when ‘Dale Western stole a march with two goals in a matter of minutes. Belch made it 2-0 before O’Brien scored her second goal of the tournament. The scoreline could have been far greater given the amount of corner awards given to the L1s. Frustratingly, they were denied on a number of occasions by Stade Français’ goalkeeper, who arguably was unlucky to be on the losing team by the full time whistle.
The win takes Clydesdale Western’s points tally in Pool A to ten. A point in Sunday morning’s game with TSOP Kolos Boryspol (Ukraine) will be enough, whilst any more would clinch top spot of the group meaning the L1s will face the runners-up of Pool B on Monday. Forsyth’s team will take on Kolos Boryspol from 9.00am (7.00am GMT).
Photo credit: Rob Lindblade
