Played in weather more akin to the English Midlands than sunny Spain, Cannock took on the second of their opponents in the European Cup Winners Cup here in Madrid this afternoon. Cannock have clearly learnt lessons from their last European campaign - it's the "easy" sides that can trip you up - and the Cannock side put on display of controlled and disciplined hockey against their Russian opponents from Dinamo Electrostal. Only most partisan observer would give the match marks for entertainment, but Cannock set out to do a job and they did it clinically. The first goal came in the 9th minute when skipper Michael Johnson slammed the ball into the net from a penalty corner. Shortly before half time Martin Jones converted a penalty corner. In the seccond half the rain started to lash the pitch and thunder rumbled around the Club de Campo ground. But if the thunder was a portent of doom, it was doom for the Russian side. Andrew Langlands added a third after a minute of second half play and Matthew Plunkett made it four ten minutes later. Andrew Brogdon scored the first of two goals, with Andrew Langlands scoring his second shortly after. Final score 7-0. Cannock will face a sterner test tomorrow against the host club, but they emerged from today's match without too many aches and pains to spoil their chances tomorrow.
The foul weather prevented us from getting too many good photographs this afternoon, but we may post some pictures on this blog later tonight.
Canterbury's women also had a successful day. Playing Irish side Old Alexandra, they recorded a 3-1 victory, with Mel Clewlow, Jenny Wilson, and Lucy Barnes getting their name on the scoresheet. Only a very defensive approach to the match by the Irish stopped the score from being much higher. Canterbury face the German women of Rot-Weiss Cologne tomorrow.
Other results:
4 Nations Invitational at Exeter - U16 boys; England 2 Netherlands 2.
Invitational tournament in Barcelona - U16 Girls; Spain 3 England 3. U18 Girls; Spain 0 England 2.
