Alex Danson scored a 37th-minute winner as Great Britain recorded a 1-0 win over Spain in the opening game of their three-Test series in Valencia.
Taking up the role as skipper, Danson fired home a shot from the top of the circle for her 48th international goal.
Spain pushed Great Britain all the way and were unlucky not to score from a couple of penalty corner and open play opportunities in the closing stages, but Danny Kerry’s side held on to take the first victory in the series.
“Credit to Spain, they are a much improved side from the last time I saw them play and they deserved to get something out of the game," said Great Britain head coach Danny Kerry.
“We were very much reliant on the experience of Kate Richardson-Walsh and Laura Unsworth in our defence today as they covered up a lot of our play.
“These Test matches are so important for us to develop the squad and ensure the less experienced players get to play at the very top level before we go into major tournaments. I’m confident we’ll get better over the next two games.”
Holly Payne, a newcomer to the centralised training squad, made her international debut in what was the 37th encounter between the sides.
There were also Great Britain debuts for two Scottish athletes, goalkeeper Amy Gibson and Holcombe’s Sarah Robertson. Robertson’s club teammate Lucy Wood, who will be a familiar name to those who followed England at the Commonwealth Games, also pulled on a Great Britain shirt for the first time.
Great Britain’s next match against Spain will take place on Wednesday at the 3.30pm UK time. All three matches are taking place at Polideportivo Virgen del Carmen Betero, the same venue Kerry’s team will travel to in June when they battle for Olympic qualification at the FIH Hockey World League semi-finals.
