| NEW ZEALAND | 0 | (0) | - | 1 | (1) | ENGLAND |
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| Cathy Gilliat-Smith 11 (PC) |
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The game started with pace and vigour, with both teams looking to take an attacking approach to the game, providing entertainment to the neutral. In the 2nd minute; Alex Danson went close after chasing down a lost cause but her shot could only find the side netting of the goal. England broke on the counter attack in the 11th minute; Cathy Gilliat-Smith broke the deadlock from the resulting penalty corner, expertly deflecting Kate Walsh’s drag flick into the New Zealand net to register her tenth England goal on her 52nd international appearance.
England continued to show dominance in the game with the defence being well marshalled by the increasingly impressive Crista Cullen. Jo Ellis displayed some neat stick-work on the right hand side, surging into the circle setting up a goal scoring opportunity, in the 17th minute but the New Zealand defence stayed resolute. England was unfortunate to lose the experienced Lisa Wooding in the 19th minute when she was carried off of the field with a calf injury.
New Zealand began to find the form their world ranking dictates, and piled the pressure on England, resulting in a couple of penalty corners that England did well to defend. By the end of the first half, New Zealand enjoyed more of the possession but the England defence kept New Zealand’s circle penetrations to a minimum. England went into the half with the one goal advantage, but needed to ensure that they came out to end the New Zealand upsurge in possession.
After the half New Zealand continued where they left off, gaining a penalty corner from the ball striking Kate Walsh’s foot. English hearts were in mouths when, in the 39th minute, Caryn Paewai had the ball in the back of the England net, but umpires called play back for a foul. Alex Danson meanwhile, continued to look lively, and to counteract the increasing New Zealand pressure, forced Beth Jurgeleit into a fine save from a reverse stick shot.
The signs for England did not look good when - the usually solid - Mel Clewlow played a poor aerial which gifted the blacksticks possession; she will have been relieved to find that they could not capitalise on the opportunity.
New Zealand was frustrated at not creating any clear goal scoring opportunities despite England continually gifting possession to their opponents. England secured the win with some strong defending in the latter stages of the game, and will be relieved to take a victory, and momentum into their next game.
England Coach Danny Kerry commented, “We have won a hard fought game with little preparation and given that, we are pleased with the result. New Zealand will feel disappointed that they did not take more from the game as we consistently gifted them possession; given that, we are not happy with the performance, but can take heart from the team work ethic displayed today.”
England’s next game in the tournament sees them take on Korea – who are just one place above them in the World Rankings – tomorrow at 0930 BST.
ATA HOLDING WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE
England Team Selection
Y = Player started match,
SUB = Player was involved in the match but did not start
DNP = Player Did Not Play
| Shirt No | Name | Club | Age | vs New Zealand | vs Korea | vs USA | vs Azerbaijan | vs China | vs (TBC) |
| 1 | Katy Roberts (GK) | Chelmsford | 29 | DNP |
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| 3 | Lisa Wooding | Chelmsford | 27 | Y |
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| 5 | Crista Cullen | Leicester | 21 | Y |
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| 6 | Mel Clewlow | Canterbury | 31 | Y |
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| 8 | Helen Richardson | Leicester | 25 | SUB |
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| 9 | Jo Ellis | Ipswich | 25 | Y |
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| 11 | Kate Walsh | Slough | 27 | Y |
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| 12 | Chloe Rogers | Chelmsford | 22 | Y |
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| 14 | Rachel Walker | Olton & WW | 28 | Y |
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| 15 | Alex Danson | Slough | 21 | Y |
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| 16 | Alex Scott | Slough | 24 | 2007-06-09
01. January
01. January
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