- GB women earn comprehensive 5-1 win against USA. Two for Izzy Petter, one each for Sarah Robertson, Anna Toman and Ellie Rayer
- Both teams back in FIH Hockey Pro League action on Sunday; men face Spain at 12:00, women repeat against USA at 14:30
Britain looked to make their mark early on in the game, winning a penalty corner inside the first few seconds. The home side continued to press but it took until the dying embers of the first corner for the deadlock to be broken as Lily Owsley pinched possession and supplied Izzy Petter for a very tidy finish.
Britain were on top against an inexperienced USA side, and a great run from Ellie Rayer on 25 minutes almost saw her double the advantage. USA forays into the D were rare, but Maddie Hinch had to stand firm to keep the American attack out in the 28th minute. And it proved to an important contribution as Britain then effectively put the game out of reach, Petter with a neat deflection from a well-worked routine; assisted by Grace Balsdon.
Early in the second half the confident Petter went close, firing just wide with a backhand effort after a mazy run inside the circle. And soon enough the third goal did arrive, Fiona Crackles doing very well to allow Sarah Robertson a clear sight of goal, the Scot converting from close range. Shona McCallin and Rayer were then denied by the busy Kelsey Bing in the USA goal. Mark Hager’s side were enjoying a dominant period and soon enough it was 4-0 as Anna Toman drilled home from a penalty corner.
A few minutes into the final quarter and it was 5-0; Robertson and Crackles combining well to give Rayer a simple chance from close range. The pressure continued to be poured onto the USA goal and Robertson was incredibly close to deflecting home from a corner in search of a sixth.
To their credit, USA battled gamely and Hinch saved well from Miranda Rigg before Kelsey Briddell got a consolation goal from a corner, lifting home nicely. And so it finished 5-1, a good afternoon’s work for Britain at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. The two sides will now face off once more on Sunday for Great Britain’s final competitive match before Tokyo.
Izzy Petter reaction
20-year-old Petter of Surbiton Hockey Club was very pleased to contribute two goals in a team victory, saying, “I’m feeling great. It’s lovely to be back at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, 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.
“I love scoring here, 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 massively 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 going into Sunday’s match.”
Great Britain 5 (2)
Izzy Petter (14’ FG, 29′ PC); Sarah Robertson (37′ FG); Anna Toman (41′ PC), Ellie Rayer (49′ FG)
USA 1 (0)
Kelsey Briddell (57′ PC)
Starting XI: Hinch (GK), Unsworth, Toman, Ansley, Pearne-Webb (c), McCallin, Jones, Robertson, Owsley, Crackles, Rayer
Subs (Used): Evans, Petter, Wilkinson, Townsend, Balsdon
Subs (Unused): Heesh (GK), Costello
Courtesy of GB Hockey
