Hockey: England redeemed by Reid

ENGLAND stayed well on course for a place in the semi-finals of the women's Under-21 European Cup at Cramond, near Edinburgh, when they drew 0-0 with Spain yesterday.

There were several heart-stopping moments for the English team, who had the goalkeeper, Carolyn Reid, to thank for keeping them in the match. Reid, who had not touched the ball in the previous match against France, saved four of the 11 Spanish penalty corners as well as making a remarkable save to deny Goreti Larrinaga following an error by Karen Harvey.

Spain, with their Olympic players, Sylvia Manrique and Nagore Gabellanes, in tantalising form, dominated for large periods of the match, but England worked steadfastly in defence and might have stolen the lead three minutes after the interval when Tracy Willmore created a marvellous opening, but shot wide.

Further Spanish pressure resulted in Reid making a stunning double save from Gabellanes, but even Reid was beaten when Sonia De Ignacio hit the crossbar from Spain's last corner three minutes from time only for the ball to go over.

A goalless draw between France and the Unified Team means that England need only avoid a two-goal defeat in their final pool match against the Unified team on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals.

ENGLAND: C Reid; K Harvey, S Lawfull, N Jones, L Cope, S Eyre (capt), F Lee, A Wakefield, L Youngs, J Green, T Willmore. Substitute: L Culliford.

SPAIN: E Aldahondo, M Telleria, S De Ignacio, C Abad, M-C Gonzalez, S Manrique, B Larzebal (capt), G Larrinaga, M-C Feito, N Gabellanes, L Lopez.

Umpires: S Mouche (France) and I Sivtsova (Russia).

WOMEN'S UNDER-21 EUROPEAN CUP (Cramond, nr Edinburgh): Pool A: France 0, Unified Team 0; England 0, Spain 0.