Mens 1st's vs Bishops Stortford

Pelicans mens 1st XI 3-5 Bishop Stortford mens 1st XI 

It’s a fair comment to make that Pelicans have been involved in some very entertaining and high scoring games of hockey this season and last Saturday followed that trend as they came out on the wrong side of an eight goal thriller when Bishop Stortford travelled to King’s Lynn. The visitors started strong and went 2-0 up with two well taken goals but as they have done a lot this season Pelicans remained in the game and by half time they were level. Firstly, their influential captain Sam Phillips slammed a trademark reverse stick shot into the bottom corner. They then equalised when Phillips found Miles Doncaster who was illegally denied a free shot at goal and a penalty stroke was awarded and it was expertly deposited by Iain Page. The second half however did not go Pelicans way, despite having chances throughout the game through the likes of George Van Aalst, Jack Major and Ian Simons to name just three but they found the visitors goalkeeper in good form. 

Iain Page, Jason Esser and Sam Major were kept busy throughout, as were Simons and Kirwin Christoffels in front of them, unfortunately they were undone by a penalty stroke and then a stunning short corner goal to put Stortford 4-2 up and with plenty to do again, Pelicans fought back though and halved the deficit through captain Phillips and a well worked short corner routine with Major. Pelicans continued to throw everything at their visitors but it was just one of those days where things didn’t go their way. Chances fell their way but they continued to be denied. Stortford sealed their victory in the dying embers of the game with a well struck strike. 

Pelicans will need to dust themselves down quickly as they head for their final away game of the season and did against runaway league leaders and newly crowned champions Peterborough who have taught a few lessons this season, including to Pelicans earlier in the season. A tough game in store but Pelicans will be pushing for pride as they look to finish the season on a high. 

Pelicans MOM sponsored by 4Way Sam Phillips