Tough start for England U18 Girls in Netherlands challenge
19th April 2014England Under-18 girls lost out to a strong Netherlands team in the opening match of their three-game test series at Lilleshall on Saturday.
But the eight-nil scoreline was a little harsh on the England girls who competed with their opponents for periods of the game – but just couldn’t get the ball last a resolute Dutch defence.
The first Dutch goal came after five minutes following build up down the left side. The ball was switched across the circle and deflected in at the right post. And they scored in similar style on 15 and 27 minutes to go three-nil ahead.
They made it four just before the break at a penalty corner, although the England goalkeeper saved the initial shot well before the Dutch scored in the second phase of the attack.
Another left side attack led to the fifth Dutch goal on 40 minutes, and then a break down the right led to the sixth on 55 minutes. A bad tackle gave away a penalty stroke which the Dutch scored on 62 minutes, and a powerful reverse stick shot gave them their eighth and final goal.
“It has been a bit of a shock for some of the girls,” said team manager Jo Thomas. “But we pressed well at times and in the second half we started to force errors and make some positive attacks. We also defended quite a few penalty corners which was pleasing.”
The two sides meet again on Sunday, starting at 5pm once again.