England Women edge past Ireland to ride into Euro Hockey Championship semi-finals – Hockey Update
The Women’s hockey squad of England has been emerged triumphant over Ireland by two goals, 3-1 in the final group clash of the Euro Hockey Championship that took place at the Warsteiner Hockey Park in German city of Monchengladbach on August 23. The win
not only boosted the courage of the English players but also put them into the semi-final round of the crucial regional tournament.
Danny Kerry, the Head Coach of the English side was of the opinion that they received many chances in the first ten minutes of the play but to no avail. He further said that the lacklustre performance in the first half demanded some major changes. He added
saying, “But we did not panic and going into the second half we were able to turn the game around. Helen Richardson was fantastic today and her decision making helped us significantly.”
Irish Women Hockey Coach Gene Muller also expressed his feelings saying that they commenced the game with good pace but they failed to maintain their momentum in the second half of play. He expressed dissatisfaction on the overall performance, as they conceded
a pair of goals in the very early minutes. At the same time he was of the opinion that it was quite improved show and they were one of the top positions at the point chart.
Despite getting plenty of chances including short corners, the English failed to show their worth in the first thirty-five minute of the play. Conversely, they gathered pace in the second round and obtained three unanswered goals to confirm a berth in the
semi-final stage.
The game opened at a very fast pace with both line-ups accomplishing attacks against each other. The English side though earned a short corner in the very first minute but it was denied in the hands of Pamela Smithwick. With a fast style of play, the English
team was honoured by a penalty corner within next five minutes but to no avail. Kate Walsh, the English skipper failed to convert the chance.
Apart from the fast-paced game from England, the Irish were playing confidently and denied plenty of attacks. These defensive efforts not only kept the opponent side at bay but increased their confidence in the attacking end. With three minutes into the
first half, Niamh Small scored a goal from the field and put Ireland ahead in the game. England was trailing by three goals at half-time.
After conceding a solitary goal, the English women flexed their muscles in the second half and scored three goals.
Hannah Macleod, Helen Richardson and Anne Panter scored one goal each in the 40th, 42nd and 54th minutes and sealed the victory for England at 3-1.
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