England's Men Hit Spain For Six

Spain 1 (0)

Rodriguez (59’, PC)

England 6 (2)

D Scott (20’, FG); Condon (26’, FG; 53’, FG); Wallace (34’, PC); Oates (35’, FG); Goodfield (57’, FG)

Debutants Duncan Scott and James Oates both scored in their first senior international appearance as England’s men thrashed Spain in their opening game of the 2021/22 FIH Hockey Pro League season.

David Condon was also on target twice as England ran riot in their first ever game in the league, taking the place of Great Britain for this season.

Zach Wallace scored in his first game as captain while David Goodfield also got on the scoresheet, Spain’s solitary goal coming from Ignacio Rodriguez right at the death.

The two clash again tomorrow in their second fixture at 12:00 GMT.

With both sides featuring plenty of debutants, the first quarter was a largely quiet affair with goalkeeper Ollie Payne called upon to make a couple of routine saves while Phil Roper saw a penalty corner blocked.

Moments after Payne made another save in the 20^th minute, England raced away and scored their first as a diving Scott deflected home Tom Sorsby’s wicked cross.

Condon doubled the advantage six minutes later, firing the ball beyond the Spanish goalkeeper after a fantastic run into the circle by Rhys Smith.

Wallace increased the advantage to three as he rifled home a penalty corner in the 34^th minute before Oates found himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper moments later before beautifully nutmegging him to register a debut goal.

Nick Bandurak – also making his senior England appearances alongside Scott, Oates, Nick Park and Stuart Rushmere – almost scored himself in the 52^nd minute before Condon added a fifth for England with a brilliant shot across the goal seconds later.

Goodfield then turned home Roper’s pass with three minutes remaining before the Spanish grabbed a late consolation as Rodriguez’s flick was deflected beyond Payne.

As well as the five debutants, Peter Scott and James Albery made their first international appearances since 2017 and 2018 respectively.

After the game, Duncan Scott said: "It was a real privilege putting on the shirt for the first time, especially with this group. Getting on the scoresheet was a bonus but it was great to start with a win."

Oates added: "It was an incredible experience to make my debut with the boys in such a strong performance, and an unbelievable place to score as well. To be honest, I can’t quite believe it."

The second match tomorrow will be shown live on BT Sport 1 or you can follow live text updates via the England Hockey Match Centre.

Starting XI: Waller, Ames, Wallace (C), Roper, Rushmere, Goodfield, Payne (GK), Oates, D Scott, Sanford, Sorsby

Subs (Used): Park, Albery, Condon, Bandurak, Smith, P Scott

Subs (Unused): Mazarelo (GK)