Grand Masters Hockey World Cup- Cape Town, South Africa
ENGLAND GRAND MASTERS
England Grand Masters 2 - New Zealand 0
For the first 10 mins New Zealand pressed England in their own half. After
this shaky start England worked their way into the game with some strong
passing and gradually exerted pressure creating several good chances.
Although there were many passages of good play England didn’t score until
the 25th min after a good pass from Richard Slator to Sarosh
Talati and finished off in style by Stephen Stowell on the left.
Half time 1:0
Once again New Zealand started strongly but were
soon controlled by England who continued to create some exciting chances.
After 10 mins from a good move down the right side a Brian Hopkins pass
found Imtiaz Mahmood-Sheikh who
scored with a good shot. Unfortunately soon after this Imtiaz was badly
injured and had to leave the field. England took a little while to get back
into their stride after this setback but once again dominated and finished
strongly.
Man of the Match: Neil Stone.
Day Off
England GM 5 – Holland 0
England got off to a flying start with a goal by Santa Bansal after 3 mins.
Holland responded with some aggressive play but England kept their cool,
although they had to cope with 2 consecutive short corners the second of
which was deflected over the bar by Captain Alan Muller. England then
exerted pressure at the other end resulting in a short corner which was put
away convincingly by Santa Bansal. England continued to dominate and
finished the 1st half 3:0 up after Santa completed his hat trick
with another goal.
It was good to see new comer Brian Stokes immediately
involved in the game at the start of the second half with some good passing
movements. England were now passing the ball and building up good attacks,
from one of these Stephen Stowell scored into the roof of the net. After
Santa completed the scoring with his 4th goal England closed out
the game.
England GM 1 – Scotland 1
A lackluster game
resulted in a win for England due to a goal after 7mins by Santa Bansal.
Although England
pressed for most of the game and several good chances were created they just
could not break through the Scottish defense.
England started the
match and created several chances. A good pass from Clive Hicks allowed
George Johnson to tap in a goal at the far post. The next goal was scored
after an exciting run by George Johnson who passed to Brian Hopkins who
scored immediately. Italy responded with an attack and created a short
corner which was well saved by John Steward and England resumed pressure at
the other end. There followed lots of good passing moves which resulted in 4
more well taken goals before half time. ( Greg Hutchings 2, Santa Bansal 2)
Half time 6:0
Although England made
several changes at half time they continued to dominate the game and
eventually Ian Mellor scored at the left post.
England GM
1 v Germany
This was an exciting
end to end game which kept everyone on tenterhooks right to the final
whistle.
During the first half England had most of the pressure and
created some chances which Germany managed to save. After 20mins of play a
powerful shot by Santa Bansal was put away
by Brian Hopkins.
Half Time: 1:0
England
started the second half strongly and then Germany began to put the pressure
on with well organized play and created several good chances that were
cleared by John Steward and the defense. With
Germany looking for an equalizer the game opened up and became fast
and furious.
Germany finished very strongly, winning three consecutive
short corners at the final whistle but John Steward and his defense kept
their clean sheet.
England GM
0 v Australia 3 (The Ashes)
Although Australia
exerted the early pressure the game was end to end with half chances at
either end.
After 10 mins the Australians opened the scoring with a
scrappy goal. England responded with a heroic attempt by Santa Bansal who
was thwarted by very good save by the goalie. England was then caught on the
break and the Australians scored their second goal with a well taken
opportunist goal into the roof of the net.
Half Time: 0:
2
England started the second half with more oomph but Australia defended
stoutly and always responded dangerously on the attack. England’s passing
and movement was much improved from the first half but they were unable to
score and conceded a short corner which resulted in the Australians third
goal.
Man of the Match: Clive Hicks.
