Middleton leads by example with brace of goals

Doncaster’s Team GB captain Barry Middleton scored the first two goals in an often ill-tempered 4-1 win over Argentina.

And when the free-flowing play was not getting a capacity crowd at the Riverbank Arena to its feet, they were entertained by Sheffield Wednesday’s Kop band.

Between them the White Rose connection ruled in this little corner of the Olympic Park.

It was a promising start for Team GB on a blustery evening.

Of all the British squads in team sports at these Games, the men’s and women’s hockey teams are the ones that can be considered genuine medal threats.

The men in particular have finished fourth in a World Cup and fifth in a European Nations event in the last year.

Middleton said: “The first game can often be the most nerve-racking, even though we had prepared very well you never know quite where you are until you start playing in a tournament.

“Once we got into it we played some good hockey.

“Argentina have a lot of good individuals but we closed them down very well.

“We played as well as a whole team.

“We have said for a few weeks how we want to be playing and it was good to back those words up out there.”

Britain’s star-in-the-making Ashley Jackson made three of the goals, the second for Middleton, and two in quick succession from Dan Fox and Richard Smith before Argentina pulled one back.

Sheffield’s Alastair Wilson also played a prominent role.

“It was nice to get off to a winning start, and particularly for us to score some goals and entertain that great crowd,” said Wilson.

“I’ve never experienced anything like it.”