David Goodfield delighted with Commonwealth Games opener
Telford hockey star David Goodfield admits the excitement of his first Commonwealth Games is lifting him to new heights and the hockey ace proved it by getting on the scoresheet in their opening win over Malaysia.
England proved far too strong for their Pool B opponents on Friday on the Gold Coast, eventually running out 7-0 victors to put them in a strong position with clashes against Pakistan, India and Wales still to come.
England’s men have never before made the Commonwealth Games final since hockey joined the tournament in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
But they did claim a bronze medal in Glasgow four years ago, before Goodfield had made the breakthrough into the senior set-up.
Indeed half of Bobby Crutchley’s 18-man squad out in Australia are playing in their first Commonwealths – and Goodfield, who used to play for Telford & Wrekin Hockey Club, insists that is a good thing.
“We knew it would a tough game, every time we play against them it is. But we knew if we stuck to our game plan we would get the results,” said the 25-year-old.
“There were quite a few of us playing at our first Commonwealths – including myself – so it’s great to get that first win and get rolling.
“I have tried to embrace this whole experience, it’s a tiny bit surreal but you want to be at these events – this is what I have been dreaming of playing in.
“It is amazing to be in this multi-sport games and you just have to try and use that energy and excitement.
“We have to take it game by game and work to our plans so that hopefully when it comes to the end of the tournament we are in for those medals.”
Sam Ward and Mark Gleghorne both bagged doubles in the romp while Goodfield also scrambled home for his first-ever Commonwealth goal.
But it was the cleansheet that pleased skipper and goalkeeper George Pinner the most.
“That was the perfect start for us really, and we played some really good hockey,” said the two-time Olympian.
“The cleansheet is really important for us as a side I think. And the goals we scored were really good – that Harry Martin one at the end was a fantastic team goal.
“We did a lot of good work both on and off the ball.
“The aim is obviously a medal but we have to take it one game at a time – that was a big game for us at the start of the tournament.”
