Scotland held to draw with Canada

Scotland battled to a 1-1 draw with Canada in their final Pool B game of the Hero Hockey World League Semi-Final as they fell just short of reaching the quarter-finals.

Willie Marshall equalised in the third quarter cancelling out Gordon Johnston’s strike making for an entertaining finish as Scotland pushed for a winner which would have sent them into the quarter-finals.

However they couldn’t edge ahead and will now contest in the 9^th and 10^th place play-off on Thursday.

Early proceedings were dominated by Canada who enjoyed more possession that the Blue Sticks but despite this the Scottish defence held firm as the first quarter ended goalless.

Scotland were inches from taking the lead soon after the restart, David Forsyth found space down the left before firing across goal, however Kenny Bain couldn’t make a connection at the back post.

Just a minute before the half-time break Scotland fell behind after conceding a penalty corner. Gordon Johnston stepped up for Canada and his drag flick flew high into the top left corner past Thomas Alexander in the Scotland goal.  

Five minutes into the third quarter Scotland were unfortunate not to draw level but found David Carter in fine form, three saves in quick succession keeping Canada in the lead. However they continued to battle hard and were remain the 43^rd minute when Willie Marshall slammed home the rebound from a penalty corner.

Scotland were buoyed by this and pressed hard to grab a winner in the final quarter but Canada’s defence held firm against the pressure to keep Scotland at bay and prevent them reaching the quarter-finals.