England have defeated New Zealand on penalties to book their place in the final of the women's hockey at the Commonwealth Games.
New Zealand were trailing heading into the dying stages of the game before levelling, but England showed character to edge through on penalty flicks to book a gold-final meeting with Australia tomorrow.
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Lily Owsley fired England ahead in the first half, while Ellie Watton denied New Zealand the opportunity of cancelling out the lead from a penalty corner when she charged off her goalline to block the attempt.
A yellow card was shown to Petra Webster soon after, but New Zealand continued play with 11 players on the field. Captain Kayla Whitelock was issued a yellow of her own as a result to leave her side down to nine.
Moments later Alex Danson was yellow-carded for hacking a Kiwi stick, and with Whitelock back on New Zealand finally made the breakthrough as Katie Glynn glanced home a driven cross.
The 2010 silver medallists very nearly won the game at the death only for the post to deny them, meaning that a shootout would be required.
Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch produced a memorable display, keeping out three opposition efforts to spark joyous scenes and send England into the final of Glasgow 2014.
Daniel Lewis
