Kerry refuses to be downcast after Spanish defeat

Posted: Tuesday 13th January 2009 | 23:34

TEAM GB head coach Danny Kerry refused to be downcast despite seeing his experimental British squad crash 3-1 against Spain in the first of three fixtures in four days. Britain's women crash in Spain
HEADS UP: British boss Danny Kerry refuses to be downcast

Kerry has taken a squad of 16 players to Spain for a warm-weather training camp and three fixtures against a Spanish squad brimming with international caps.

He said: "This was a promising performance from a number of potential GB players.

"There were many positive aspects to our play and our young players will learn much from these three games against this Spanish side containing 10 of their Beijing Olympic Games squad."

After a bright start, the young experimental GB side took the lead against the more experienced Spanish.

Rebecca Herbert finished off a promising move in the third minute by scoring from close range in the opening match of three friendly uncapped games.

GB created a number of chances, with Herbert coming close again with a brave deflection later on in the half.

The Spanish came back into the game and equalised with a deflection into the top corner in the 16^th minute.

Spain took the lead with a penalty corner in overtime at the end of the first half.

The second half belonged to Spain as they pressurised the inexperienced GB side, with Kirsty Mackay making a number of good saves from a succession of Spanish corners.

She was finally beaten in the 55^th minute with a slip flick high into the GB net.

REMAINING SCHEDULE, GB v SPAIN

14 January 2009, 1700 hrs (local), 1600 hrs (GMT) v Spain (w)

16 January 2009, 1100 hrs (local), 1000 hrs (GMT) v Spain (w)

SQUAD

Ashleigh Ball (Slough & England)

Hayley Brown (FC Junior Barcelona & England)

Holly Cram (Glasgow Western & Scotland)

Harriet Cunningham (Pinoke & England)

Gemma Darrington (Leicester & England)

Beckie Herbert (Kampong & England)

Cary Hopkins (Clifton & Wales)