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England hockey eves rode on a late goal to force a 3-3 draw with Belgium in the second warm-up international game in preparation for the upcoming TriFinance EuroHockey Championships, which starts in Boom, Belgium from August 17-25.
The red-and-blue brigade were pushed on the backfoot early on when Anne-Sophie De Scheemaekere made the most of a penalty corner to give Belgium a handy lead in the 5th minute.
Wearing a more confident look after the opening strike, the Red Lions gave their home fans reasons to exult after Erica Coppey scored a field goal.
Unperturbed by the two-goal deficit, England pushed forward with conviction and their efforts fructified when Sally Walton rattled the Belgium cage close to the half-time hooter.
Belgium led 2-1 at the break.
The Jason Lee-coached England showed more fight in the second stanza and did not take long to bring things on an even kneel as Alex Danson converted a short corner in the 40th minute.
The Redshirts regrouped well amid two quick strikes by England and once again regained the lead through Anne-Sophie De Scheemaekere fired home a short corner in the 57th minute for her second goal of the match.
England had thirteen minutes to not just equalize but also force a draw and Kate Walsh converted a short corner in the 69th minute as the match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Earlier in the first match, England’s women’s hockey team played out a 2-2 draw with the same opponents. The Redskirts, who seized the early initiative rattling the English cage through Charlotte De Vos.
The Belgium eves soon doubled the lead through Louise Versavel for a cozy two-goal cushion.
England reduced the deficit when Lily Owsley sounded the board – it was Lily’s first senior international goal.
Experienced Alex Danson triggered joy in the English camp when she breached the Belgium defence late in the second half.
It may be mentioned here that the England fought hard against the Netherlands men’s team losing the three match series 0-1.
England lost the opening game 1-2 in a keenly contested match.
They played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the second match and nearly won the third and final game before the Dutch scored a final minute goal to pull off a 4-4 draw.
