Former Ipswich School pupil Harry Martin only managed a cameo role before a hamstring strain that he has been suffering with in recent weeks, curtailed his progress in England’s 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the EuroHockey Championships last night.
The result means that England must now get at least a draw against Ireland when they play them tomorrow at 10:30am (UK time) to ensure their place in the semi-finals.
The Netherlands were two goals up at half-time thanks to efforts from Jelle Galema and Billy Bakker, but England came out fighting and despite being two men down through injury, they battled hard.
The reward came through captain Barry Middleton in the 54th minute as he found space and time in the circle to pick his shot and fire the ball past Jaap Stockmann in the Dutch goal.
Martin managed about 15 minutes of action, while fellow ex-Ipswich School pupil, Beeston’s George Pinner, played in goal.
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