Nothing to choose between Great Britain and New Zealand

Barry Middleton GBNew Zealand 2 (2)
Kane Russell 13 (FG)
Hayden Phillips 19 (FG)

Great Britain 2 (2)
David Condon 2 (FG)
Barry Middleton 25 (FG)

Goals from David Condon and Barry Middleton earned Great Britain a share of the points in a tense encounter with New Zealand at the Olympic Games. With both sides losing their opening match, the pressure was heightened, resulting in an absorbing encounter which ended all square. Condon struck in the second minute and although goals from Kane Russell and Hayden Phillips put Colin Batch’s side ahead, Barry Middleton’s 25th minute strike ensured both squads got off the mark in the tournament.

Great Britain showed good attacking intent in the first minute. Ashley Jackson broke into the circle but couldn’t quite get the shot away. It wasn’t long however before the deadlock was broken. Sam Ward wriggled free inside the circle and crossed from the right. Condon slid in but initially was unable to make contact. With Nick Catlin in close attendance the ball broke back to Condon who slotted home whilst on his knees.

Bobby Crutchley’s side won a penalty corner a minute later via a video referral. Jackson stepped up and took the shot but Devon Manchester got a big glove on the ball to push it to safety. New Zealand had their first chance in the seventh minute. Nick Coughlan’s long pass into the circle found Stephen Jenness whose diving deflection was brilliantly saved by George Pinner. The Blacksticks soon won a penalty corner via a video referral. The pass was played to Jenness for the deflection but his effort clattered the woodwork and bounced.

Colin Batch’s team upped the pressure and some excellent defensive work by Great Britain kept them at bay. Just before the break however, they hit back. A long aerial pass into the circle found Russell who pulled it down and lashed a bullet strike into the net to make it 1-1.

Four minutes into the second quarter a run down the left by Hugo Inglis found Shay Neal whose pass broke to Phillips who needed no second invitation and rifled an unstoppable shot into the net to make it 2-1. Parity was restored with five minutes to the break. With Coughlan in the sin bin, Middleton exploited some rare space at the back post to nudge in Lewers’ terrific pass to make it 2-2. GB won a penalty corner just before the interval after good work from Nick Catlin. Jackson took the shot but Manchester did well to repel it with a right pad, sending the sides in at half time all square.

The third quarter was a real battle of midfield with both sides grappling for control of the game. Condon forced Manchester into action with a backhand cross but further chances were hard to come by. New Zealand asserted some attacking pressure but once again the defence, in particular the imperious Lewers kept them at bay. The No24 produced a series of tackles and one splendid interception, diving full length to cut out a through ball. With two minutes to the break Great Britain won a penalty corner. The ball was slipped to Sam Ward but Harry Martin was adjudged to have obstructed the defender and it stayed 2-2 going into the final quarter.

At the start of the final period, Nick Wilson showed some terrific skills to break into the circle from the baseline but Pinner was alert and came dashing out of goal to block the way through with a terrific save. New Zealand asked for a video referral looking for a penalty corner but it was turned down. Bobby Crutchley’s side went up the other end and won a penalty corner immediately. This time Mark Gleghorne took the shot but again Manchester made the save. With six minutes to go Crutchley’s team won another set piece. Gleghorne took the shot again but as before, the New Zealand goalkeeper saw it off.

The drama continued and the Blacksticks went up the other end to force a penalty corner of their own. Russell fired a rocket drag flick at goal but Pinner got down well to make a superb save. Both sides continued to throw men forwards right to the end, but there were to be no further goals and both teams took home a point.

Head Coach Bobby Crutchley:

“It was disappointing not to win today. We had some good opportunities we were better than yesterday in our intensity and the way we played. Our execution was a bit off and we didn’t deliver our corners but we showed better intent. There were glimpses of quality but it’ll come in the coming games.

I didn’t need to say a lot to the players after the Belgium game. We put some things right because we were well off our expectations in that one. We were nearer today but we’re still not where we want to be. We’ll review today and move onto the next game and try to keep improving. The players are good at self evaluation so we know what we need to do.”

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