Nelson Earns Aussies Share of the Spoils in Perth
A 54th minute goal to WAIS hockey athlete Ashleigh Nelson has salvaged a 3-3 draw for the Hockeyroos in the third clash of a six-test series with Great Britain at the Perth International Hockey Stadium.
With the series split at 1-1 following two tests in Bunbury, the battle between the second ranked Hockeyroos and sixth ranked GB outfit followed a close fought script in Perth.
The Hockeyroos were made to chase the game on three occasions, with Crista Cullen, Ellie Watton and Helen Richardson-Walsh all putting the tourists ahead, only for Gabrielle Nance, Karri McMahon and WA’s Nelson to restore parity for the hosts, in quick succession each time.
With the Hockeyroos utilising a large squad of players over the course of the series, head coach Adam Commens indicated that he was pleased with the response of new combinations from his charges, even if the outcome hadn’t yielded the desired result.
“I thought we played well for a new group with the team showcasing seven new players,” he said.
“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.”
Nelson’s field goal was her second strike for the series, following a goal in the Hockeyroos’ 4-3 win in the first test.
Nelson is joined in action for the Hockeyroos by fellow WAIS hockey athlete Kathryn Slattery.
The fourth test between the nations will again be held at the Perth International Hockey Stadium at 6pm on Thursday, with two further matches at the same venue set for a 3pm start on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
