Danson celebrates 100th cap as England edge past Spain

By Sportsbeat staff

ALEX Danson celebrated her 100th England cap by scoring as her side completed a comeback victory in their women's hockey World Cup opener in Rosario.

CENTURY GIRL: Alex Danson (second from left) is congratulated by teammates after scoring in England's World Cup opener against Spain (Grant Treeby Images/EHB)

There was a touch of fortune about the 3-2 victory over Spain, and head coach Danny Kerry admitted he was less than satisfied with the scrappy performance.

England had one won and drawn two of their previous World Cup matches with Spain but went behind in the fourth minute as Gloria Comerma rocketed a straight shot past keeper Beth Storry following the game's first penalty corner.

 Danson equalised in the 14th minute - her 23rd England goal - which meant the 25-year old has now three successive World Cups.

Within three minutes Spain were level. Raquel Huertas saw her cross deflect off the stick of Cullen, wrong footing Storry.  

As the ball ran agonisingly behind the Reading goalkeeper, Carlota Petchame dived in to deflect it over the line.

But England went into half-time ahead after Susie Gilbert's strike deflected beyond Maria Lopez, off the stick of Spanish defender.

Both sides had chances in a goalless second half and Kerry was frank in his assessment ahead of the next group game against Olympic silver medallists China, who lost 2-1 to Korea in their opener, on Tuesday.

"We were awful but we won," he said. 

"We were outplayed for most of the game and Spain played very well.  I was happy with the way we defended against their skilful players."