Victory over USA in Palalympic World Cup in Manchester.

Team GB got off to the best possible start in the BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester on Wednesday, recording a 1-0 win over the USA in the adaption of the game for athletes with cerebral palsy.

In the opening match of the sport’s debut at the event, the home crowd cheered GB to victory after Matt Ellis scored the game’s only goal just ten minutes into the first half.

Ellis, who proved a valuable asset in the midfield, was “ecstatic” to score the winning goal which was a deflection from team-mate Graham Leclerc’s shot.

“I was ecstatic to score the goal,” said Ellis. “Michael Baker had many chances too; he is like Cinderella looking for the golden boot. He may have missed chances this match, but I know he will find the back of the net in the next one.”

GB had a number of chances before the end of the half, including some rockets from midfielder Michael Barker. None of these chances materialised into another goal however, largely due to the world class display from the USA defence and the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Keith Johnson, who was proclaimed Man of the Match well before the match itself had ended.

GB team captain and goalkeeper Jordan Raynes concluded: “It was a good game to start us off, but we know we can play better. At half time the manager made it clear to the team that our standards were not on top form, but after picking the game up in the second half I am feeling very confident going into the rest of the tournament.”

Elsewhere, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands drew 2-2 in the day’s second game. Thursday’s schedule will see USA play the Republic of Ireland and then GB take on the Netherlands.

For more information on the event, click here.