ODIHAM hockey star Alex Danson and her England team beat Germany 1-0 in their third game at the World League Semi Final in South Africa.

This was England’s second victory of the tournament and lifted them to second in Pool A ahead of their final group game against Ireland today (1pm).

After defeat to Japan last Wednesday, England responded strongly and dominated against their German counterparts.

England started well and were quick to put the German backline under pressure.

Germany responded strongly and were soon creating chances of their own, a last ditch tackle from Anna Toman stopped Camile Nobis from striking at goal, before Maddie Hinch saved well from Charlotte Stapenhorst just before the first break.

The second quarter saw England settle and dominate the next 15 minutes. Captain Danson took a blow to the head after striking into the goalkeeper’s pads but was able to continue. Germany kept out the resulting penalty corner, as at half-time it was 0-0 England kept up their tempo and pressure and when Germany received two cards in a minute they camped in the German half.

However, they could not get the break through before Germany were restored to 11 players, but soon after they did break the deadlock.

From a penalty corner Laura Unsworth slapped towards the right post, where Jo Hunter was on hand to deflect high into the net as England’s pressure eventually told.

The match tightened up in the final 15 minutes and with time running out for Germany elected to use a kicking back, but the England defence held firm to secure all three points.