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Longstaff leads British charge in win against Korea

Thursday, 17th April 2008

Team GB 4-1 Korea

There was a certain amount of relief around the GB dressing room following what turned out to be a comfortable 4-1 victory against a more than capable Korea side. The victory means that if GB are successful in beating Holland on Friday and Kazakhstan 24 hours, later then a Silver or Bronze medal can still be bought home.

The Koreans were the livelier side at the start of the game using their biggest asset, speed, and having the British side on the back foot. Paul Thompson had decided to replace Stevie Lyle with Stephen Murphy between the pipes and the young Scottish goalie was certainly tested throughout the first period pulling off a string of saves as GB were out shot 12-3 in the first 20 minutes. Outshot they might have been, but out scored they weren't as in just the 2nd minute, the outstanding David Longstaff helped set up David Clarke to fire home from close range.

The middle period saw GB take a little more control with Longstaff at the centre of everything creative, his goal at 31.39 certainly eased the nerves and settled the team down as the courageous Koreans continued their assault on Murphy and the GB defence. Murphy was now playing with amazing confidence pulling off two outstanding saves as the period came to an end.

Whilst Korea huffed and puffed their forwards always looked a little short in the final department of putting the puck away, whereas GB were a lot more composed in front of goal when their chances arose. Seven minutes after the start of the final period Greg Chambers and Kyle Horne combined to feed Nottingham defenseman Danny Meyers who hammered a hard slap shot into the top corner for a 3-0 advantage.

Still GB had to keep their focus as Korea's never say die attitude continued with Murphy again called upon to make important stops, his shut out was broken with less than ten minutes remaining when right winger Cho pounced on a rebound and beat Kyle Horne to the loose puck. This time it was GB's turn to dig in and that they did ensuring that Korea's final onslaught was kept at bay and scoring a fourth marker whilst doing so, Ashley Tait one timing a slap shot into the bottom right hand corner off a pass from Mathew Myers

GB now have a day off on Thursday before two huge games against Holland (Friday) and Kazakhstan (Saturday) to see if they can pick up a bronze medal.

David Clarke scores GB's first goal

David Clarke scores GB's first goal at 1.29


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