Hockey: England draw after disastrous start

hockey

England draw after disastrous start

Massimo Callina, the Italian goalkeeper, made a brilliant save from Ben Sharpe's reverse-stick shot in the final minute to deny England a win they scarcely deserved in the first Test in Sicily yesterday, writes Brian Tatlock. England allowed Italy to go into a two-goal lead in the opening nine minutes before their experimental side got into their stride. Stuart Head's first international goal made it 2-1 in the 18th minute with captain Russell Garcia equalising from the penalty spot in the 29th. Mark Pearn gave England the lead eight minutes after the interval, from a shrewd pass by Scott Ashdown. After Jimi Lewis had saved brilliantly from Mirco Faggian, the Italian striker pounced to level the scores in the 53rd minute.