Scotland women finally got their first win at the EuroHockey Championships after seeing off a spirited second-half display from Belarus to seal a 3-2 victory in Belgium.
After defeats to Germany, Spain and England in Pool B the Scots were looking to get off to winning ways in Pool C but after being 3-0 up at half-time they had to really work for the three points.
Amy Gibson was called into action early on with a smart double save before Holly Cram gave Scotland the lead in the 22nd minute when she deflected Nikki Kidd’s drag-flick home.
It was two just four minutes later when, after good work from Nikki Lloyd, pressure from Heather Howie forced Belarus into conceding an own goal.
And an almost perfect first-half was complete on 34 minutes when Vikki Bunce smashed home the ball at the second time of asking to give Scotland a 3-0 advantage heading into the break.
However the Belarusians weren’t going down without a fight and produced a spirited second-half fight back that began with a goal in the 43rd minute from Khrystsina Kibkova, who scored from a penalty corner.
Both Emily Maguire and Kibkova were then shown yellow cards in the 50th minute and five minutes later Belarus were back in the game after Krestina Kulinkovich fired into the roof of the net from the penalty spot after Scotland were penalised for preventing a goal with their foot.
A nervy 20 minutes followed with both sides coming close to another goal but it was Scotland who held on for three crucial points in the relegation pool.
© Sportsbeat 2013