Argentina, December 12: At 00:30 Irish time last night, Ireland began their second season in the FIH Pro League by securing a point against World #3 England.
Ireland took the lead in the game after just four minutes, when Adam Walker slotted a penalty corner into the net on his Senior International debut. They extended their lead to two when Conor Empey broke down the field, finding brother Ali whose effort was saved but fell to Jonny Lynch to finish off. Having defended superbly, Ireland did eventually concede, England scoring from a penalty corner rebound after Luke Roleston made the initial save. Lee Cole restored Ireland’s two-goal cushion two minutes later, winning and converting a penalty stroke. However, England pulled their goalkeeper with seven minutes remaining in favour of an additional outfield player and put the man advantage to good use scoring two goals in quick succession to level the game and share the points.
In the bonus point shoot-out England came away as 3-2 victors.
Ireland got their FIH Pro League campaign underway at Santiago Del Estero in Argentina early on Thursday morning against England, who entered the game following a 3-1 victory over the hosts the day before.
Despite England dominating possession during the first and second quarter it was Ireland who took an early lead after just four minutes when Adam Walker converted a penalty corner on his Senior International debut.
Jonathan Lynch doubled-Ireland’s lead no more than a minute into the second quarter, when he slotted home the rebound from Ali Empey’s effort. England continued to test the resolve of the Irish defence, but Ireland held firm thanks to several crucial tackles in the circle and a number of excellent saves from goalkeeper James Milliken.
At the break Luke Roleston replaced Milliken between the sticks to make his debut, immediately picking up from where his compatriot left off, making several crucial saves to help maintain Ireland’s lead, including a world class tackle on Sam Ward.
England eventually got their goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Jack Albery getting to a rebound from a penalty corner first to find the net. Just, two minutes later however, Lee Cole won Ireland a penalty stroke when his penalty corner effort struck England’s Thomas Sorsby on the line. Cole converted the stroke to restore the two-goal lead.
With time starting to run out, England opted to withdraw goalkeeper James Mazarelo in favour of an additional outfield player, a tactic they were soon rewarded for. England stretched the Irish deep defence, eventually grabbing two goals in quick succession through Jack Waller and Zachary Wallace to draw the game level.
Mazarelo returned to the pitch with three minutes remaining, just in time to deny Ireland a late winner. Jonathan Lynch drove down the right-hand side, entering the circle at the baseline and pulling the ball back Conor Empey who was denied by the toe of Mazarelo.
The sides shared the points with the game ending 3-3, and went head-to-head for the bonus point in the shoot-out.
Ireland’s Daragh Walsh mistake with Ireland’s first effort, and England followed suit scoring their first. Ben Walker was denied a chance to give Ireland the lead, but Roleston stepped up getting a stick to Conor Williamson’s attempt. Jonny Lynch confidently slotted his chance home, and again England matched Ireland. Ireland’s fourth effort from Conor Empey was saved, but Luke Roleston stepped up to make the tackle on Jack Waller and keep the side’s level. Alistair Empey stepped up for the fifth, opting to try a reverse effort which was saved. England took the chance to take the bonus point, achary Wallace scoring the decisive penalty shoot-out.
Speaking after the game head coach Mark Tumilty said:
”England taking their goalkeeper off caused a challenge for us down the right-hand side of the pitch. We didn’t defend the outside of the pitch, and we got eliminated in one versus one situation. To give a guy like Zachary Wallace that much space; you are going to get punished. There are a lot of positives. We were clinical on the counter-attack and James Milliken was excellent in goal for us.”
Speaking ahead of Ireland’s next match against Argentina, Tumilty said:
“We face a different challenge against Argentina and while it will be less physical than the game against England, we will be introducing some players who didn’t feature today and those fresh legs against Argentina could be the key to getting a positive outcome. ”
ENGLAND: James Mazarelo(GK); Nicholas Park; Jack Waller; Zachary Wallace; James Albery; Stuart Rushmere; Timothy Nurse; Conor Williamson (C); Will Calnan; Sam Hooper; Matthew Ramshaw; Thomas Sorsby.
SUBS USED: Rohan Bhuhi [3 mins]; Jacob Payton [3 mins]; Jack Turner [3 mins]; David Condon [3 mins; Rory Penrose [ 3 mins].
IRELAND: James Milliken (GK); Ben Pasley; Luke Witherow; Nicholas Page; Lee Cole; Tim Cross; Daragh Walsh; Peter McKibbin; Kyle Marshall (C); Ben Walker; Ben Nelson.
SUBS USED: Adan Walker [4 mins]; Jonathan Lynch [4 mins]; Peter Brown [ 6 mins]; Mark McNellis [ 6 mins]; Alastair Empey [7 mins]; Coor Empey [6 mins]; Luke Roleston (GK) [31 mins]