Toman To Thank After England Edge Past Canada

England 1

Toman (20 PC)

Canada 0

England maintained their winning start to Birmingham 2022, with Anna Toman’s first-half goal enough for victory against a well-disciplined Canada side.

It was ultimately a frustrating game for England, who could not add to their lead despite enjoying the majority of possession and a number of circle entries.

Toman put them ahead in trademark style with a crisp penalty corner strike but it was her defensive instincts that were tested at the death as Canada pushed for a late equaliser, even subbing out their impressive goalkeeper Rowan Harris to add an extra outfield player.

There was no way through though and England returned to the top of Pool A, displacing India, the only other unbeaten side in the group.

Starting line-up: Hinch (GK); Ansley, Pearne-Webb (c), Toman, Crackles; Unsworth, Owsley, Peel; Martin, Rayer, Petter. 

Subs: Heesh (GK), Hunt, Walker, Howard, Hamilton, McCallin, Balsdon. 

Match report

Fresh from  hat-trick against Ghana on Saturday, Hannah Martin threatened from the off here, registering England’s first attempt within 90 seconds of the push-back.

Having gathered Laura Unsworth’s pass inside the circle, Martin swivelled under pressure and dragged towards goal. Though the effort lacked pace it required a combination of goalkeeper and defender to keep it out before the ball flicked off Elena Rayer’s foot.

Rayer was on the end of England’s next opening, shooting from an acute angle with a lofted reverse stick strike which Rowan Harris batted away.

Even England’s penalty corner game, which had proved so effective against Ghana, provided no way through initially. Grace Balsdon was the first to strike from the top but her effort was well blocked by the Canadian defence.

The first quarter ended as it had begun, with England enjoying all of the ball but unable to breach Harris’ goal. After a fantastic run from Lily Owsley the ball fell for Flora Peel who struck wide before Izzy Petter tested Harris, again with a reverse stick strike, as England found a lot of joy down the right wing.

A defence splitting pass from captain Hollie Pearne-Webb found Martin shortly after the restart, who shot on the turn only for Harris to block once more.

Then, with their third penalty corner of the game, England found the breakthrough. Toman’s hard slap shot took a nick off an onrushing defender taking the ball past Harris who was helpless on this occasion.

Canada nearly found an instant equaliser but Maddie Hinch, a spectator up to this point, reacted well. Madeline Secco’s reverse stick strike was Canada’s first shot of the game which Hinch was able to smother from close range.

Rayer then had the final chance of the first half, capitalising on a mistake at the back to shoot but could only send her reverse stick effort over the bar.  

Harris’ fine form continued after the interval. She was at full stretch to deny Giselle Ansley as England piled on the pressure in search of a second.

Neat 3D skills from Martin earnt England another penalty corner, one of six throughout the contest, but they were unable to convert any one of those openings after Toman’s earlier strike.

Tess Howard, and then the ever-menacing Martin, were next to be frustrated as Canada just about managed to keep themselves in the game.

And they enjoyed their best spell at the death, forcing England to retreat deep into their own half. But even the presence of an extra outfield player could not prize an equaliser as England ensured their return to the top of Pool A.

They’re back in action against India on Tuesday, and like England, they are looking to make it three in a row after wins over Ghana and Wales.