Scotland Futsal coach Mark Potter is satisfied with his side’s recent developments after finishing third in the Home Nations International Tournament at the weekend.
The Scots lost 9-0 to England in the opening game and ran eventual winners Wales close, ultimately losing 5-2.
In the final game Scotland defeated Northern Ireland 8-2 with Jack Guthrie, Dayle Robertson, Jamie Forsyth, Fraser Smith all notching goals as well as Craig McLeish who fired in the country’s first ever hat-trick in Futsal.
Potter’s side played five games prior to the weekend’s fixtures and looked at home throughout the tournament which will be hosted in Scotland next year.
Summing up the three games, head coach Mark Potter said: “It was a very successful couple of days for us and a good example of the progress which has been made by all the Home Nations at International level.
“The gap between Scotland and the more experienced teams is not as great as it could be, and apart from a poor second half against England the players did themselves proud over the weekend.”
The Scottish Futsal team is still in the early stages of its development after being established in October 2014 with the majority of the team playing their third or fourth match and five players making debuts.
Potter said: “England would have expected to win against Scotland, as would Wales due to their experience, but we gave them both a decent run.
“Our ambition now must be to close the gap over the next 12 months before we host the 2017 edition.”
Next up for Scotland is the preliminary round of the European Championships in Georgia where they will face the hosts and experienced opposition in Switzerland and Israel.
Home Nations International Futsal Tournament 2016 Match Results:
Friday 2 December: England 9-0 Scotland
Saturday 3 December: Wales 5-2 Scotland
Sunday 4 December: Scotland 8-2 Northern Ireland
Scotland Futsal Squad
Goalkeepers
Gordon McGillvary (FC Santos)
Ben Tough (FC Santos)
Defenders
Scott Chaplain (Adventure Kicks Futsal/East Kilbride YM)
Ross Chisholm (FC Santos/Hurlford Utd JFC)
Craig McLeish (Queens Park FC)
Scott Mollinson (FC Santos/Jeanfield Swifts)
Midfielders
Kyle Ballingall (PYF Saltires)
Jamie Forsyth (Watcell Futsal/Heriot Watt FC)
Craig Holmes FC Santos/Rossvale JFC)
Fraser Smith (Oakbank Futsal/Jeanfield Swifts)
Conor Thomson (Wattcell Futsal/Musselburgh Juniors)
James Yates (FC Santos/Forfar Athletic
Forwards
Mark Caldow (FC Santos)
Jack Guthrie (Wattcell Futsal/Edinburgh University)
Ryan Robb (FC Santos/Luncarty JFC)
Dayle Robertson (FC Santos/Dundee North End)
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
