(Image shows an injured Beth Storry being helped from the pitch)England men started their campaign in the EuroHockey Nations Championships here in Amsterdam with a win over Austria by 5-0.
After ten minutes of pressure on the Austrian defence, England earned their first penalty corner which was duly converted at the first attempt with a drag flick by Ashley Jackson. England continued to press the Austrians during the first half but without any further success, despite good attacking play from captain Barry Middleton, Matt Daly and James Tindall. The Austrians had one or two attacks but England's defence held firm.
In the second half England took control. A lovely move down the left from Tindall to Alastair Brogdon and then on to Middleton to score past the goalkeeper gave them a 2-0 lead. Further movement between Tindall and Middleton gave Tindall and then Middleton deflected goals past an Austrian goalkeeper unable to stop the flow. Iain Mackay got in on the act as he made it 5-0 with one minute remaining on the clock.
Austria did earn a penalty corner with six minutes to go but they shot wide. Job done for England. Germany next. England will hope that they can tuck away some more of their chances and be in with a shout at the end.
ENGLAND WOMEN HELD THE DUTCH for ten minutes before they finally succumbed to a Maartje Pauman penalty corner special. England did have some forays into the Dutch half and after 14 minutes earned a penalty corner themselves. However, with no-one of Pauman's ability in the England team the Dutch cleared their lines. The match continued from end to end and England had their chances but couldn't quite finish. With ten minutes to go in the first half England earned their second penalty corner, but again the Dutch brought the ball out of defence . At the other end Beth Storry, who played her hockey in Holland until recently, was keeping England in the game. But with two minutes to go to half time she was unable to stop Kim Lammers deflecting in from a hit into the circle by Eva de Goede. 2-0 at half time.
Within three minutes of the restart Holland had another penalty corner, but this was saved by Storry and England continued to live dangerously. However, more pressure from England's continual harrying of the Dutch players saw a green card for de Goede followed by a yellow card for Vera Vorstenbosch. It was in this time that England earned their third penalty corner of the match. Kate Walsh's shot though was saved on the line, legally according to the umpire, though captain Walsh disagreed.
Alex Danson went off with a injury to her hand after 15 minutes of the second half during one of England's aborted attacking plays. This gave a chance for Hannah MacLeod to have some more pitch time. Danson came back on though after receiving treatment. The Dutch always looked dangerous, however, and holding on to the ball in the circle too long earned Holland another penalty corner. Again Storry came up trumps ro keep them at bay. But in the 58th minute she was unable to stop Paumen scoring again from Holland's fourth penalty corner. Storry was injured in diving to try and save the corner. She stayed on but when she was called on to make another save it was evident that she could not continue. Paumen to score the ensuing penalty stroke straight past her injured shoulder.
Storry got a good round of applause from the crowd as she was helped off. Meanwhile Sally Walton padded up and after a restart with an extra field player, she walked on to take Storry's place. And she was soon called on to make a save which she did with great aplomb. However, another penalty corner to Holland six minutes from time and another Paumen special, gave Walton no chance and Holland ran out 5-0 winners.
England play Azerbaijan on Tuesday. A win will put them in the top four and guarantee a place in next year's World Cup in Argentina.
