Hockey: Britain's Luckes holds out: Crutchley strike gives Spain an early surprise

A GOAL after 33 seconds by Bob Crutchley set Great Britain on the way to a 2-1 win against Spain in torrential rain here yesterday. The victory reversed the score of the teams' last meeting, when Britain were beaten in the match to decide fifth place at the 1992 Olympics.

Britain dominated the opening exchanges with Russell Garcia and Rob Thompson looking particularly sharp and it was no surprise when they went further ahead after 13 minutes.

Thompson, whose parried shot had paved the way for Crutchley's goal, weaved his way through a mass of Spanish defenders to set up the goal for Don Williams.

Spain replied seven minutes into the second half when Juan Escarre followed up after David Luckes had saved well from Oscar Barrena.

Britain created a number of other chances, with Chris Mayer's crosses from the right a fruitful source, but it took a fine save by Luckes in the dying seconds to preserve their lead.

SPAIN: R Jufresa; J Ejarque; S Amat, R Sala, X Guerrero; P Garcia, J Dinares, J Garcia (capt); J Escarre, D Freixa, X Amau. Substitutes used: O Barrena, X Moline.

GREAT BRITAIN: S Mason (Firebrands); P Bolland (Hounslow), J Halls (Old Loughtonians); J Laslett (Teddington), Soma Singh (Southgate), M Sutton (Bournville); D Williams (Havant), J Shaw (capt, Southgate), R Thompson (Hounslow), R Garcia (Polo Barcelona), B Crutchley (Hounslow). Substitutes used: C Mayer (Cannock), P McGuire (Teddington), J Nicklin (Teddington), R Davis (Harleston Magpies), D Luckes (East Grinstead).

Umpires: W Joosten, B Mol (Netherlands).