Tait the overtime Hero as GB Capture Bronze…

Posted on Friday, April 17th, 2009 at 8:42 pm

Ashley Tait was the British overtime hero as he scored a Bronze medal winning goal 2 minutes into sudden death overtime against the host nation Poland on Friday evening. After a scoreless first period with chances at both ends it was David Longstaff, playing in his 92nd international game, who broke the deadlock in the 37th minute (assisted Greg Chambers and Mark Thomas).

For long periods it looked like that would be enough for Paul Thompson’s men but penalties started to come GB’s way and with Mark Thomas in the penalty box for hooking the Poles equalised through Mikolaj Lopuski with just 14 minutes remaining

With the British still killing penalties the Poles started to have the better of the chances late in the game but the bull dog spirit carried the British through and into overtime. With less than 2 minutes played in the sudden death period Colin Shields hard pass was shot home by Ashley Tait for the winning goal, and more importantly a Bronze medal and improved World rankings.

Goal scoring hero Ashley Tait said “Just an unbelievable feeling, I can’t think of any team I have ever played in that deserved success more than this one. When the chance came my way I only had a split second to think about, I just kept thinking finish, finish and I did. This is a brilliant team effort, amazing and right now so hard to take in. Many didn’t give us a chance but those of us here inside the room always believed”