Scotland marched into the promotion semi-final of the European Nations Championships II yesterday at Glasgow Green despite making heavy weather of seeing off Ukraine with two belated strikes by Surbiton striker Alan Forsyth.
The result leaves Scotland top of their pool with a perfect record. They now meet Russia in the semi-final.
The first half was a rather tentative affair with few chances to either side, although the Scottish defence was rarely troubled by the Ukrainian forwards.
The only chance of the first quarter came from a penalty corner won by Lee Morton, but the push out failed to reach Kenny Bain and the routine broke down.
Scotland`s first real chance came early in the second quarter, Forsyth broke down the right touch line but his cross failed to reach a diving Morton.
Despite some early Scotland pressure at the start of the second half, it was Ukraine who went into the lead through an opportunist strike by Oleh Polishchuk.
In the final quarter Tommy Alexander was forced into a brilliant save to prevent a second goal for Ukraine, thereafter it was all Scotland.
Forsyth was crowded out in the circle after a long, mazy run, then Cosgrove missed a deflection chance following a Morton pass. The best opportunity came from a penalty corner but Willie Marshall`s flick was blocked by the keeper.
Scotland captain Chris Grassick, on his 100th Scotland cap, used his experience to win another set piece, Kenny Bain`s shot was illegally stopped on the line by a Ukrainian defender. Up stepped Forsyth to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot to kill off any further Ukrainian resistance.
The winner came two minutes from the end from another set piece, this time Forsyth fired a fierce strike into the net to secure a belated 2-1 victory.
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