Kirwin at the treble to leave Pelicans in seventh heaven

Pelicans returned to form with a bang as they secured their first win of 2025 against Broxbourne.It also completed their second double of the campaign as they eased the club’s fears of becoming involved in a late relegation battle.The team came out of the blocks quickly, creating some early chances that didn’t find the back of the net.Pelicans managed to win a short corner within 15 minutes, a typical routine saw Kirwin Christoffels deflect into the defender but Sam Landles was on hand to fire the ball home and score his first goal since returning to the club this season.Completely against the run of play, Pelicans then conceded two goals within quick succession to fall behind after two phases of errors and a lapse of concentration.Pelicans didn’t let it stop them, and quickly equalised.Captain Sam Phillips broke the line, beating a few players and being hacked to the ground, this resulted in a penalty stroke being awarded and Iain Page firing home. The half was nearly over, but an unlucky slip from keeper Dan Upton saw a Broxbourne player taken out and a penalty stroke awarded against them. Now 3-2 down and without a goalkeeper for two minutes, Pelicans knew they needed to keep the ball and play smart hockey without someone between the posts.What followed was a smart ball from Phillips through to Christoffels who beat a player and rifled it home for his first of the day.A breathless first half ended with the scores locked at 3-3. Pelicans knew they had a fitness advantage over their opponents and it started to show within ten minutes as Phillips won another stroke which Page again converted convincingly for his second goal of the game.Another short corner and another routine meant Christoffels picked up his second of the game. Christoffels went on to complete his first-ever hat-trick in Pelicans colours following a quick counter attack and a smart one-two with Jack Major.The game had run its course and Broxbourne had given up, but Pelicans hadn’t. In the final minute Ian Simons found Phillips at the top of the D who hit a reverse pass across the goal to find his brother, Toby at the back post to make it 7-3.Pelicans MoM, sponsored by 4Way: Kirwin Christoffels.