EuroHockey: England women beat Scotland 5-0 to close on semi-finals

Image source, REX/Shutterstock

Image caption, England have won two matches and lost one at the group stages of this year's EuroHockey championship

England's women beat Scotland 5-0 to close on a place in the EuroHockey Championship semi-finals.

Forward Tess Howard scored a hat-trick and defender Grace Balsdon netted twice in Monchengladbach, Germany.

England, who are currently second in Pool B, will advance to the semi-finals unless Ireland beat leaders Germany in their final group match.

"We did everything we set out to do and Scotland is always a tough battle with lots of emotion," said Howard.

"We went out and played really professionally so we're really happy."

In playing against Scotland, captain Hollie Pearne-Webb made her 250th appearance for England and Great Britain combined.

England will face either Belgium, Spain or the Netherlands on Thursday if they progress.

Scotland exit the competition with three defeats from three matches, having conceded 14 goals and not scored.