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England Over 70s

This was an important weekend for bringing a squad with 6 new members together and for learning to play in the style and patterns of play that Coach Andy Barnes wants us to commit to.

First game was a 3-0 victory over Scotland. Andy Sanders opening the scoring with a delicate flick from a Richard Slater short corner strike. It was so delicate that Slater was awarded the goal. This settled the nerves and a cool finish from Peter Wright doubled the score before Tim Brothers put the game to bed with a well taken one on one with the keeper. Scotland worked hard but didn't really create many chances. A good start.

Max Jason MOM

The Saturday game was a far stiffer test against Wales the current World Champions. Wales were highly motivated and put England under real pressure from the start. Max Jason danced through to put England ahead but  Wales struck back through Sparkles unmarked on the near post. Tim Smith restored the lead by lifting the ball into the roof of the net but Wales struck back through Ian Johnson. Wales clearly had a plan to stop England playing their possession based game and it wasn't until quarter 4 that England secured the win with 3 goals from Sanders, Smith and Wright. Sanders nursing a bruised shoulder had only been on the pitch for 30 seconds and scored with his first touch of the game. So on paper a convincing win but it was a very difficult game. Wales seemed to run out of steam having pressed so heavily for the first three quarters of the game. Richard Slater and Peter Wright were joint MOM.

So into the third day and game v an unbeaten Ireland in what was effectively a final to decide the overall winners.

After the scare the Scots gave them England were determined to dominate this game and play possession based hockey. The opening goal came in Q2 and was a thing of beauty with Wright sending a howitzer of a ball across the D to Skinner who took one touch before smashing the ball past the keeper and into the blackboard.

Richard Slater doubled the score from a straight strike short corner in Q3 before Tim Brothers deftly put the ball past the Irish keeper in a sublime finish at the near post. England were rampant now and as brave as the Irish were three more goals were scored again in the final quarter. Skinner and Smith both scored penalty flicks before David Ward deflected a pin point pass to the near post at a well worked short corner.

This capped a fine performance by Ward who was awarded MOM.

So England retained their title and felt satisfied with the official start to their World Cup Campaign in South Africa.