Nelson’s equaliser helps Aussies from behind to secure a draw

Ashleigh Nelson’s equalising goal in the 54th minute of the match, helped Australia come back from behind to secure a 3-3 draw on the final siren in the third match of the series

HOCKEY: Ashleigh Nelson’s equalising goal in the 54th minute of the match, coupled with Great Britain’s missed penalty corner opportunity late on, helped Australia come back from behind to secure a 3-3 draw on the final siren in the third match of the series.

Australia came from behind on three occasions, Gabrielle Nance, Karri McMahon and Nelson pegging back goals from Crista Cullen, Ellie Watton and Helen Richardson-Walsh.

Frustrated with the final result, Hockeyroos Head Coach Adam Commens said, “I thought we played well for a new group with the team showcasing seven new players. We combined well to create numerous attacks with Great Britain defending doggedly, however, unfortunately we only ended up with a draw rather than a win.”

It was an exciting milestone match for young Victorian Madi Ratcliffe, who made her senior international debut in the Hockeyroos’ bodysuit. Commens officially presented Ratcliffe with her green and gold kit during a team briefing prior to the match.

Speaking about Madi Ratcliffe’s international debut, Commens added, “Madi ran really hard tonight and she didn’t look out of place in terms of her defensive intensity. There were some moments where she was a little lost on where to lead, however, that will come with more time on the pitch. She had some great touches in the circle, which ultimately lead to us scoring one of our goals tonight.”

Awarded the first penalty corner opportunity seven minutes into the match, Great Britain’s Crista Cullen sent an on-target drag flick past Australian goalkeeper Rachael Lynch and into the back of the net, setting the visitors up with an early 1-0 lead.

Following one minute later, Australia quickly responded to Great Britain’s opening goal. Picking up the rebound off the pads of the Great Britain goalkeeper Kirsty Mackay, Gabrielle Nance swept the ball into the backboard of goals, levelling the match 1-1.

Ellie Watton’s strike from the top of the circle, one minute after the halftime break, was all it took to push Great Britain in front with a 2-1 lead.

It was at the 37th minute mark, when Victorian Laura Barden earned Australia a much needed penalty stroke after going one-on-one with Great Britain’s keeper. Stepping up to the spot, Karri McMahon coolly slotted the ball home, equalising the match for the second time, 2-2.

Defender Karri McMahon was welcomed back into the squad after rehabbing a stress fracture in her pelvis, which kept her out of the recent TPG Singapore series and the first two matches of the Great Britain series in Bunbury.

Helen Richardson-Walsh broke the 2-2 deadlock with Australia in the 47th minute, after her quick deflection slid past Lynch who was under the bar for Australia.

Six minutes before the final siren, Western Australia’s representative Ashleigh Nelson showcased world class skill to overcome Great Britain’s defence. Slotting the ball into the net, Nelson secured the equaliser, resulting in the Hockeyroos securing a final 3-3 draw to keep the series levelled.

Milestones were also made by Great Britain’s captain Kate Richardson-Walsh, who has equalled Karen Brown’s all time playing record of 355 matches. Alike Australian captain Madonna Blyth, Richardson-Walsh will be named Great Britain’s highest capped female player on 356 matches if she is named in the line-up for the fourth match of the series Thursday night. Forward Ellie Watton also made her 50th appearance.

The Hockeyroos’ fourth match of the series will be played on Thursday at 6pm AWST at the Perth Hockey Stadium. The match will be streamed live on epicentre.tv from 5:45pm AWST / 8:45pm AEDT.

Hockeyroos' squad v Great Britain
Started
Laura Barden (Kew, VIC) 9/3
Madonna Blyth (Brisbane, QLD) 322/70
Edwina Bone (Evatt, ACT) 95/2
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA) 82/9
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD) 94/2
Anna Flanagan (Canberra, ACT) 159/34
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW) 28/4
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC) 168/33
Ashleigh Nelson (Wagin, WA) 197/68
Casey Sablowski (South Coast, NSW) 234/44
Rachael Lynch (Melbourne, VIC) 142/0

Used Substitute
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW) [SASI athlete] 22/2
Karri McMahon (Berri, SA) 86/9
Madi Ratcliffe (Warrnambool, VIC) 1/0
Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA) 39/11
Grace Stewart (Gerringong, NSW) 5/1
Renee Taylor (Everton Park, QLD) 11/0

Did Not Play
Teneal Attard (Mackay, QLD) 220/10
Jocelyn Bartram (Albury, NSW) 0/0
Madison Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) [QAS athlete] 14/3
Kate Hanna (Constitution Hill, NSW) 6/0
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD) 159/93
Kaitlin Nobbs (Newington, NSW) 0/0
Georgie Parker (Berri, SA) 88/26
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT) 76/13
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW) 140/57
Ashlee Wells (Moe, VIC) 67/0
Kellie White (Crookwell, NSW) 92/29
Mariah Williams (Parkes, NSW) 35/5

Fixtures & Results
Friday 12 February: Bunbury & Districts Hockey Stadium (4-3 AUS)
Sunday 14 February: Bunbury & Districts Hockey Stadium (1-0 GBR)
Tuesday 16 February: Perth Hockey Stadium (3-3)
Thursday 18 February: 9:00pm AEDT / 6:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Saturday 20 February: 6:00pm AEDT / 3:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium
Sunday 21 February: 6:00pm AEDT / 3:00pm AWST, Perth Hockey Stadium

Live streaming
The Hockeyroos' Great Britain series is being live streamed via Epicentre.TV in Perth.

Hockey Australia