News and reports from 8 nations u16 and u18 events

Katie Alexander Martha Bainbridge Olivia Breed Anna Cogdell Anna Faulstich Beth Gardens Emily Gilbert Martha Goodridge Josefina Hippe Anya Jackson (GK) Tula Knowles Mia Moore Amelie Rees

Evie Smith Caitlin Thompson Tabby Vaughn Monica Watkins Tilly Woodhead (GK) Mon 11 July - England 2-3 Germany Wed 13 July – England 6-0 Scotland Thu 14 July – England 2-4 Belgium Sat 16 July

- England 6-1 Austria (Crossover) Sun 17 July – England 4-0 Ireland (Crossover) Match Report England 2-3 Germany The U16 girls opened their 8 Nations campaign with an incredibly

frustrating, yet exciting encounter with a German team who have become familiar opponents this season.  Having played a three-match series away to Germany last week, England knew this would

be highly competitive and stretching encounter. The teams were evenly matched for the first quarter. England’s outlets were much improved from last weekend, not allowing Germany to dictate

the direction of play. Instead, England cut-through the German press on numerous occasions, enabled by some excellent forward-facing receipt from the screens and generally playing with

genuine conviction and high ball speed. Yet again, England caused Germany real problems through excellent pressing -  denying the Germans their preferred outlet route through the middle of

the pitch. Despite creating many circle entries, England struggled to turn those opportunities into meaningful shots on goal. In contrast, the German forwards struggled to open-up the

English defence, but used their opportunities more efficiently, forcing goalkeeper Anya Jackson into a number of smart saves to keep things level. England’s flow was disrupted by a green

card which enabled Germany to wrestle the momentum.  Whilst still down to 10 players, England conceded possession just outside the defensive 25 line and did not scramble efficiently enough

to prevent a German forward from deflecting a loose ball at the back post. England responded superbly to going behind and were soon level.  Liv Breed pounced on a rebound at a penalty

corner, eliminated two German defenders and found Martha Bainbridge on the back post who slotted the equaliser. 1-1 at half time. Germany made better use of the ball in the third quarter and

England had to work extremely hard to stay in the game. Nevertheless, England maintained the regular stream of 25 entries throughout the second half, although continued to struggle to work

the German goalkeeper. With the game becoming increasing stretched, England conceded a sloppy second goal featuring four tackle attempts. The resultant D entry was shovelled over the line at

the back post despite an initial double save from Jackson. Once again, England responded superbly to going behind and created several excellent opportunities.  England’s second equaliser

came from a strong baseline carry from Tula Knowles.  Knowles crossed for Bainbridge who cushioned the ball to set-up her strike-partner Evie Smith to volley home. England pushed for the

winner, but were again caught-out by a series of individual defensive eliminations which allowed a German forward to carry along the baseline and find an unmarked teammate who swept the

winner home from five yards. Head Coach, Don Vinson said “It is testament to this group that they are so disappointed and frustrated not to beat a strong German team. The difference today

was Germany’s efficiency in both circles - which was superior to ours. We created ample opportunities to win the game and so the girls’ frustration is legitimate. Nonetheless, the girls are

determined to build on the very many positives from today and learn to improve our attacking and defensive entry circle work." ENGLAND 6-0 SCOTLAND England started this second game of

the group phase knowing that only a win would guarantee the opportunity to play for a semi-final spot the following day.  Furthermore, because Belgium had defeated the Scots 2-0 in the first

game, England needed to target a better score to give themselves the advantage in terms of goal difference against Belgium the following day. Despite the previous rest day, England started

the game quite slowly and failed to set the in-possession intensity sufficiently high. Resultantly, whilst England dominated possession and circle penetrations, did not open-up clean circle

entry on many occasions. England won six penalty corners in the first quarter, but executed below par, scoring only one; Player-of-the-match Monica Watkins scored directly from the top of

the circle.  England led the game by a single goal at quarter time. Throughout the game, England slowly increased their in-possession intensity.  Mia Moore scored an open play goal with a

well-executed back space strike mid-way through the second quarter.  Whilst England made hard-work of their attacking play, the defensive work was much improved.  Scotland were held to just

two efforts on goal in the match which goalkeeper Tilly Woodhead dealt with comfortably.  England led 2-0 at half-time but the game was far from won. Without ever getting to top gear,

England kept improving through the second half.  Two further open-play deflected goals from Amelie Rees and a second for Mia Moore ensured England led 4-0 at three quarter time.  England

completely dominated the fourth quarter. Anna Faulstich converted a penalty stroke after a Scottish foot on the line had prevented a clear goal.  Martha Bainbridge added the sixth, flinging

a well-executed rebound high into the Scottish net from 10 yards. Overall, England had dominated the game, although had to work hard throughout. Don Vinson, Head Coach, said: “We are

obviously delighted to win the game, keep a clean sheet and to set-up a tantalising encounter with Belgium. We need to improve our efficiency in the attacking circle and this remains a key

work-on for the group and for individuals. We will work hard on delivering quality balls at the goal, ensuring that we have deflectors arriving at the right time and rebounders ready to

pounce." England 2-4 Belgium Belgium’s last-second equaliser against Germany the day before meant that England had to win this game in order to qualify for a semi-final spot. England

started the game demonstrating much greater relentlessness than the previous day and the game was very tight in the first quarter.  The quality of the hockey in this game was extremely high

– the processes England and Belgium delivered were outstanding.  This was a top-level junior international match and thrilling from start to finish. After a very even first quarter, a

momentary slip in defensive disciplined allowed Belgium to sneak the lead, although both teams had chances to score and England had amassed greater circle possessions. Both teams changed

both pressing and outletting processes throughout the first half in an attempt to counter their opponent’s structures and England demonstrated commendable ability to change set-up

mid-quarter. England equalised with an excellent back-space finish from Amelie Rees who had cleverly manipulated the ball to give herself space in the D despite being closely marked. 1-1 at

half-time and all to play for. England’s best quarter was the third, although they had to come behind again as Belgium scored a straight-strike from a penalty corner against the run of play.

 Showing superb courage, England wrestled the momentum away from Belgium, defended resolutely, and continued to press superbly.  England’s second equaliser came from a beautifully worked

penalty corner routine which injector Evie Smith slickly finished from close range.  England had the momentum and were so close to adding the third on two occasions before the three-quarter

break. England needed one more goal going into the final quarter and somehow managed to step-up the intensity still further and pressed for the winning goal. Belgium defended resolutely and

kept the game level despite the pressure of a full man-to-man press from England. England continued to lead the way in terms of circle possessions but couldn’t find the winner.  With six

minutes to go, England substituted goalkeeper Anya Jackson to gain an extra field player and push for a winner. Unfortunately, just 30 seconds later, England received a harsh yellow card for

hitting the ball into the net just after the whistle had blown for a defensive free-hit to Belgium.  The yellow card and five-minute suspension instantly changed the momentum of the game;

England returned Jackson to the goal, but a desperate tackle in the defensive D gained Belgium a decisive penalty stroke which was coolly converted. Belgium led 3-2 with just three minutes

to go and a player advantage. Needing two goals to win, England again removed Jackson and threw caution to the wind. Belgium scored a fourth into an empty net with 30 seconds to go. Don

Vinson, Head Coach, said: “The whole group are devastated to miss-out on a semi-final place.  Nevertheless, we take great heart from today’s performance which was generally outstanding. The

level of hockey the girls produced today was superb and offers so much encouragement that this team are on the right path to becoming World Class hockey players.” ENGLAND 6-1 AUSTRIA England

began the crossover phase of the tournament with a match against Austria, who were resolute in defence and moved the ball efficiently. Just 17 seconds into the game, Austria won a PC which

they converted proficiently with a low drag flick. Whilst conceding such an early goal was disappointing, England rallied relatively quickly scoring three goals of their own in response

before the quarter time break. Liv Breed scored the first with a fantastic backhand finish following a creative cross-field aerial from Monica Watkins. Mia Moore slapped the second home from

the edge of the circle after a strong run through the midfield. Shortly afterwards, Anna Cogdell rode some tough challenges just outside the 25 before feeding Anna Faulstich in the circle

who smashed the ball home on the backhand. The three goals settled England, although the game remained relatively slow and with excessive handling errors which confined both teams to

congested areas of contact. The second quarter was a quiet period in which England failed to extend the lead and so the score at half-time remained 3-1. The team responded well to some clear

words at half-time and produced their best quarter, managing to raise the level of in-possession relentlessness and scored two further goals both of which came as a result of penalty

corners. The first hit a defender on the line – Faulstich converted the resultant penalty stroke. Then Breed scored from less than a yard as the ball ricocheted off the goalkeeper from a

Martha Bainbridge shot. The game petered out in the final quarter with Austria posing less threat and England scoring one further goal; Evie Smith eliminated two players on the baseline and

then smashed the ball past the goalkeeper as she cut infield. Head Coach Don Vinson said: “We are a little disappointed today not to have made gains in some of the processes we identified

before the game as being areas of focus. Ultimately, it is very difficult to make such gains without setting a sufficiently high level of in-possession relentlessness. The girls have learnt

something about the importance of diligent preparation. We produced some flashes of quality but didn’t manage to raise our level in the same way we managed against Scotland. Nonetheless, we

look forward to a final opportunity to learn against Ireland.” England 4-0 Ireland England’s final match of the tournament was a 5th/6th place play-off against a solid, yet dangerous,

Ireland team.  Ireland set out to defend deeply from the start of the game, looking to utilise three fast and skilful forwards on the counter-attack. England started much more quickly than

the previous day and were able to calmly and patiently manage possession. Whilst Ireland sought to counter quickly on every turnover, the English defender managed each attack with

commendable calm, staying mobile and resolute. Despite the threat Ireland offered, England prevented the ‘Green Army’ from mustering a strike on goal in the game. A notable performance from

centre back Martha Goodridge characterised the poise and command the England defence demonstrated throughout. England took until the second quarter to score the first goal;

Player-of-the-Tournament Katie Alexander finished strongly on the backhand having collected a rebound from a penalty corner. Alexander quickly added her second following some excellent small

unit play featuring a creative D entry from Anna Cogdell and an immaculate delivery from Liv Breed. Player-of-the-match Josie Hippe produced a positively gladiatorial performance in the

midfield, demonstrating consummate forward-facing receipt on outlet and building frequent penetrative connections to half-backs and high-midfields. Two further goals followed in the second

half – a deft deflected open-play finish from Breed and a well-worked penalty corner routine which was delivered by Monica Watkins and deflected home by Anna Faulstich.  The win confirmed

England’s fifth-place finish in the tournament. Head Coach Don Vinson said: “This was a very good performance and a pleasing way to conclude the tournament. The quality and composure of our

in-possession work was excellent throughout. This was also our most composed and assured defensive performance.   "Whilst we would have loved to qualify for the semi-finals, we have

undoubtedly demonstrated the continued progress of our Talent System. We are closer to the top nations in Europe than we have ever been. We have made considerable progress in our processes

this week and have further affirmed the importance of circle efficiency at both ends of the pitch.   "The players and coaching team are eager to continue that work over the coming weeks

and into next year’s age group programme”.