JAMES Fair was in fine form as he helped England win a bronze medal at the EuroHockey Nations Championships.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper from Pulford made two key first-half saves in Sunday’s third-place play-off against Belgium.
With the scores locked at 1-1 at the end of normal time, it was left to James Tindall to pocket a golden-goal winner in front of a sell-out 9,000 crowd at the Warsteiner Hockey Park in Moenchengladbach.
England had seen their chances of reaching the final ended by host nation Germany, the team they defeated to become European champions two years ago.
Revenge was sweet for the Germans last Friday, however, as they ran out 3-0 winners in a semi-final which was held up for an hour as organisers frantically tried to clear the waterlogged pitch.
Fair, who began his hockey career with his local club Deeside Ramblers, said: “It was one of the longest matches I have played in. We started at 9pm and finished at midnight so to bounce back and win the bronze after such an emotional and disappointing night showed great character.”
Fair was happier with his performance against Belgium, having felt he should have saved a couple of Germany’s goals in the semis.
“Personally, I felt I could have done more in the semi,” said the Cannock player. “On another day I could have kept a couple of goals out. However, I felt I made a few crucial stops in the third place play-off.”
Fair added: “The difference between making the final and not has been recognised by the team. With the team training together more, our fitness levels and tactics should be even better.”
The home nations will now compete as Great Britain for the remaining months up to and including the London 2012 Olympics, with Fair firmly in contention for a place in the GB men’s squad.
