A DETERMINED display from England Under-21 Women saw them grind out a 1-1 draw against Japan’s senior side in the first of two matches at Bisham Abbey on Friday afternoon.
The team turned in a mature and patient performance, and will be looking to build on that and secure a victory in the second match of the series tomorrow (Saturday, 11am).
England conceded an early goal in the second minute, but they kept their composure and kept probing for ways through the Japanese defence and the breakthrough finally came on 58 minutes from a penalty corner.
After Holly Chipman had won a short corner, Cannock’s Charlotte Craddock was first to the ball and after striking the ball just before the first Japanese defender reached her, she found the corner of the goal.
“We worked hard to get back into the game,” said coach Andy Bradshaw. “It was an early goal to concede, but we competed for the rest of the 70 minutes and showed good character to regroup and come back at them.
“As the game went on we gained a belief in our abilities, we’re looking forward to building on the performance by winning tomorrow.”
