GB’s Women Run Riot With 5-1 Victory Over USA

Great Britain 5 (2)

Petter (15’ FG, 30’ PC), Robertson (37’ FG), Toman (41’ PC), Rayer (50’ FG)

USA 1 (0)

Briddell (57’ PC)

Mark Hager’s side recorded a dominant 5-1 victory over the USA with goals from Sarah Robertson, Anna Toman, Ellie Rayer and an Izzy Petter brace earning the victory.

Great Britain looked strong straight out of the blocks, testing the goalkeeper from a penalty corner in the first minute of the match, and continued with the same attacking intent through the game.

Sarah Jones and Giselle Ansley both saw a series of shots well saved with ten minutes on the clock as GB repeatedly tested Kelsey Bing in the USA goal.

The continued pressure paid dividends with just 30 seconds remaining in the first-quarter as Lily Owsley played in Petter with only the ‘keeper to beat, the forward producing a sumptuous finish to open the scoring.

GB were well on top, Rayer running nearly the length of the field, searing past numerous defenders, and putting a decent shot on goal only to be denied by Bing.

The lead was doubled on the cusp of half-time, Petter grabbing her second of the day with a delicate deflection to divert the ball into the back of the net.

After bagging a first-half brace, Petter was agonisingly close to making it a hattrick. With impressive close control, Petter beat two defenders before her powerful shot flew narrowly wide of the target.

The chances kept coming for GB who were well in the ascendancy and two goals in quick succession followed. Fiona Crackles skilfully dribbled her way into the circle from out wide and her ball across the face of goal was met by Robertson to prod home. Minutes later and Toman was on the scoresheet too, her slap from a penalty corner taking a hit off a USA stick and settling in goal.

Shona McCallin struck the gloves of Bing as the final quarter got going before Rayer recorded a goal of her own, profiting from the USA ‘keepers deflection falling into her path for a simple finish from close range.

With time running short, the USA did get one of their own as Kelsey Briddell produced a tidy finish to give the visitors a consolation.

After the match, Petter commented: “I’m feeling great. It’s lovely to be back at Lee Valley, especially with some of our family and friends here, it’s a really special occasion and it’s good getting a few goals in the bag.

“As you say, every forward is able to score goals, the midfielders are scoring and Toman got one too so there’s been a range of goal scorers, which is always a great thing to have in the team.

“I love scoring at Lee Valley, it’s literally the best feeling, and to do it with this team is even better. The second one, I’ve been working on that one massively but I kept missing it, so when it finally went in it was more relief than anything else, but every forward likes a good celebration.

“These games are so important, winning back-to-back games is something we’re really focussing on. I can’t believe it’s our last game as GB, the Olympics feel ages away, but tomorrow should be great.”

The teams meet in the FIH Hockey Pro League on 23 May at 14:30 in GB’s final match before the Tokyo Olympics

Starting XI: Hinch (GK), Unsworth, Toman, Jones, Robertson, Rayer, Ansley, Pearne-Webb (C), McCallin, Owsley, Crackles

Subs (Used): Evans, Townsend, Wilkinson, Balsdon, Costello, Petter

Subs (Unused): Heesh (GK)