England ride luck against the Dutch

Hockey

Following their 2-1 win against the Dutch in the women's Junior European Championship in Cardiff yesterday, England will play the Ukraine in Saturday's semi-finals. Germany, who yesterday beat the Ukraine 4-2 in their last pool game, will play the Dutch in the other semi-final.

Fortune favoured the brave as England once again came from behind to snatch two late goals against the Dutch.

Lucky not to concede a goal in the 18th minute when only desperate defending from the goalkeeper Katy Roberts and the sweeper Caroline Gilbert saved them, England kept the Dutch at bay until three minutes from the interval when Jolein Abbas gave her side the lead from a penalty corner.

Surviving early second half pressure with resolute defending and also with a fair slice of luck, England hung on and continued with their attacking policy which eventually paid dividends in the 54th minute when, at a well- worked penalty corner, the acting captain, Fiona Greenham, levelled the scores.

With just six minutes remaining, Purdy Miller pressured the Dutch sweeper into mis-hitting a clearance to Sarah Blanks, the Leicester winger, and with some assistance from Helen Grant and Greenham, set up the winner for Miller.

Wales had no answer to the magnificent corner striking of Spain's Nuria Moreno who scored four times in their 5-0 victory.

Results, Sporting Digest, page 23