Needing a win to reach the Bronze Medal play off in the BDO Champions Challenge in Boom, Belgium England achieved their aim with an emphatic 6-2 victory which was their best result against Belgium since their 8-0 win eleven matches ago in 1995.
There was little to choose between the teams before the 24th minute when Belgium were temporarily reduced to 10 men after Amaury De Cock was suspended for tripping. England took immediate advantage when Brett Garrard’s cross was obligingly presented to Martin Jones by Belgium defender Gregory Gucasoff. Jones took full advantage to open the scoring. Two minutes later Matt Daly swept in Richard Mantell’s free hit to give England a 2-0 interval lead.
Although Belgium reduced the deficit through a Jerome Dekeyser penalty corner England were soon 4-1 ahead. Ashley Jackson who was hugely influential in his first tournament carved an opening which Simon Mantell volleyed in and a slick pass by Glenn Kirkham enabled Daly to score his second after confirmation from the video umpire. Gucasoff responded with a penalty corner goal for the hosts but England finished strongly. Jonty Clarke scored with a virtual repeat of his goal against Japan and with five seconds left Simon Mantell chased a long ball up field and robbed Benjamin Van Hove to score his second.
England play Belgium in their first match in the European Cup in Manchester in August but their immediate priority is Sunday’s Bronze Medal match against India. New Zealand and Argentina compete for the Gold.
