Middleton's delight with flying start (From The Argus)

Middleton's delight with flying start

9:00am Tuesday 31st July 2012 in London 2012 Olympics

Barry Middleton’s two-goal salvo proved vital as the British men’s hockey team began their Olympic campaign in fine style but the skipper insists the result was down to an all-round team performance.

Middleton found the target once in each half as a the home side ran riot against Argentina in front of a packed Riverbank Arena, eventually emerging 4-1 victors.

Dan Fox and Richard Smith got the other goals for the home favourites before a late consolation strike from Pedro Ibarra salvaged some pride for the Argentines.

But the star of the show was undoubtedly Middleton, one of four East Grinstead players in the squad, who led by example and admitted afterwards their first game had been something of a dream come true.

Middleton, who is rejoining Dutch side HGC after the Olympics, said: “That was a brilliant start for us. We have been speaking about the first game of the tournament for such a long time now."