ALEX Danson’s 300th international appearance will be memorable for all the wrong reasons after England women’s hockey side lost in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games.
Danson returned to the team having missed the last pool game - a 3-0 win over Malaysia - and looked to have added some impetus to the side that, despite the scoreline, lacked a killer instinct in front of goal against Malaysia.
A hatful of chances were wasted in that match, including three penalty strokes, and it was a similar story against New Zealand in the semi-final.
Five penalty corners came and went, making it 17 unconverted from just their last two matches, while Susannah Townsend and Danson both failed to score when well placed.
In the end it came down to a shootout after 60 minutes of normal time failed to yield a goal by either side.
The first four penalty shuffles were all missed, leaving Hannah Martin to open the scoring with England’s third.
But Samantha Harrison equalised straight away for New Zealand and when England’s next two efforts were also wayward, it was left to Kiwi captain Stacey Michelsen to chip an onrushing Maddie Hinch and clinch her side’s place in the gold medal match - leaving England’s players distraught.
“It's devastating but congratulations to New Zealand, it was a very nicely taken last shuffle,” said Danson.
“I'm very, very proud of the team, we stuck to our gameplan and worked incredibly hard and there was a real fight about how we played today.
“There's nothing we can do but congratulate New Zealand and look forward to the bronze medal game because we don't want to come away with nothing.
“We'll have a rest and look forward to Saturday.”
With seven of the Team GB side that famously secured Olympic gold in Rio two years ago featuring against New Zealand, England boasted an experienced starting 11.
But it was their young bench who they were hoping would prove pivotal, however they were unable to inject the predatory instinct that would have seen them into the final.
"We stuck to a gameplan and worked hard for each other and we're a team who, I believe, is really going places. There's a lot of talent in that side,” Danson added.
“We'll very much look forward, learn the lessons from here and in two days' time we'll come back fighting.
“There's always something to learn from. Sadly sometimes hockey gives us more in losing. But we'll debrief this very, very hard and look at where we need to make improvements.”
Hinch had been the hero in Rio, keeping a clean sheet in the shootout as Team GB beat the Netherlands.
And she kept out three of the Kiwi attackers but was powerless to prevent Michelsen’s deft chip.
She failed to stop for media after the match but fellow experienced head Giselle Ansley was proud of her side’s performance, despite the result.
“That hurts a lot,” she revealed. “I thought we played brilliantly throughout that game, it was a fantastic game.
“It's absolutely gutting to lose on shuffles like that.
"We put our heart and soul into that and are really proud of the girls who stepped up and took those shuffles.”
npower is the Official Partner of Team England and is giving our athletes the power of support by recording a brand new version of their anthem, Jerusalem. To listen to the track visit npower.com/teamengland
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