Britain struck early to maintain the momentum from Saturday’s 5-1 win; Grace Balsdon rifling a penalty corner high past the goalkeeper in only the second minute. The pressure continued to mount on the visitors’ net, with Fiona Crackles denied midway through the period before again GB found a way through from a corner, Giselle Ansley the scorer this time on 14 minutes.
And service resumed once again early in the second quarter, Sarah Evans tucking home from close range at another corner. Set pieces were proving positive for the home side, and another Ansley strike almost produced a goal but Laura Unsworth’s rebound hit the post. With 20 shots on goal in the first half it was a dominant display on a blustery afternoon in east London.
Izzy Petter was disappointed to drag wide of the near post a few minutes into the second half, then towards the tail end of the period Sarah Jones flung herself at an Ansley pass inside the D but to no avail. Britain were enjoying the vast majority of possession but to their credit USA were putting bodies in the way.
Britain looked to add to the scoreline early in the fourth quarter but Jo Hunter was unable to get a touch on Ansley’s well-struck pass. Then a stoic USA side enjoyed a rare foray forward as Maddie Hinch saved from Danielle Grega. Soon Britain did have a fourth, Sarah Robertson producing a smart finish on the reverse from Anna Toman’s pass.
When the fifth goal came in the 52nd minute it was a real beauty from Jones; superbly guiding the deftest of touches past the USA keeper from a ranging pass by Hollie Pearne-Webb.
Player of the match Sarah Jones commented, “Over the two games we’ve shown consistency and that’s a real positive. It’s also nice to get a few goals from corners as we had a few of them!
“For myself, I just try to be energetic, give defenders hell and be as busy as possible. As a team we’re really positive, the mood is good, we’re learning a lot and looking forward to what’s ahead.”
Head coach Mark Hager said, “I thought we could have created a little more in and around the D but the girls worked hard out there. We’re progressing well, of course there’s a long way to go and we’ve got areas to be better in. This has been a good learning period, facing different opposition and coaches. We’ve got a good group, playing well and putting pressure on each other which is fantastic.
Great Britain 5 (3)
Grace Balsdon (2′ PC); Giselle Ansley (14′ PC); Sarah Evans (16′ PC); Sarah Robertson (48′ FG); Sarah Jones (52′ FG)
USA 0 (0)
Starting XI: Hinch (GK), Unsworth, Toman, Pearne-Webb (c), Balsdon, Jones, McCallin, Townsend, Owsley, Rayer, Petter
Subs (Used): Robertson, Evans, Wilkinson, Ansley, Crackles, Hunter
Subs (Unused): Heesh (GK)
Courtesy of GB Hockey
