GB win Gold At The 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival
Great Britain Youth Women achieved Gold medals in the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival. The women secured gold for the second successive tournament with a dramatic golden goal win over hosts Australia
Great Britain Youth (w) v Australia Youth Australian Youth Olympic Festival FINAL
Sunday, 18 January 2009
AUSTRALIA YOUTH (WOMEN) 2 (1)
Andrews 27 (PC)
Hurtz 68 (PC)
GREAT BRITAIN YOUTH (WOMEN) 3 (0) Golden Goal
Sarah Page 68 (PC)
Harriet Pearce 70 (PC)
Sophie Bray 77 (F) Golden Goal
Great Britain women achieved their second gold medal in as many tournaments in dramatic fashion as an expectant and excited GB team took to the field to take on hosts Australia in the final of the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival. Harriet Pearce grabbed the Brits a lifeline with a last-minute equaliser to force the game into extra time after the teams had traded goals two minutes earlier. Sophie Bray then netted the golden goal to condemn their opposition to the silver medal, in a replay of the 2007 final.
Both teams were distinctly more committed than in yesterday’s final pool match and there were early chances at either end. During the first half, the game struggled for flow though and despite penalty corners at both ends the score remained 0-0 until Australia broke the deadlock in the 27th minute through an Andrews strike from a penalty corner.
GB were renewed in the second half and dominated possession for the whole half. The intensity through the forward line was supported by a strong platform provided by the defence and the Brits were in total control for long periods. The drama was saved for a frantic last two minutes though. First, a goal from Sarah Page drew the teams level at 1-1 only for Australia to immediately score on the break to go 2-1 up. With 60 seconds left, Harriet Pearce took advantage of the last possible chance when she scored via an Australian deflection to make the score 2-2.
In golden goal extra time, Britain was both mentally and physically superior and overwhelmed the Australian defence. A penalty corner three minutes into extra time was well saved but on 76 minutes, Sophie Bray became GB’s hero scoring a golden goal after good work on the left from Jenny Hall.
Head Coach Craig Parnham was delighted with the performance: “In the second half we fought hard, played our game really well and dominated the Australian side. The team can take real credit from the face that they got back into this game and their teamwork and commitment was rewarded with the best result – a gold medal.”
Started
Sophie Bray (England & University of Birmingham)
Susie Gilbert (England & University of Birmingham)
Takara Haines (England & Trojans)
Maddie Hinch (England & Loughborough University)
Katie Long (England & Leicester)
Dilly Newton (England & Clifton)
Sarah Page (England & University of Birmingham)
Harriet Pearce (England & Clifton)
Laura Unsworth (England & Loughborough University)
