League leaders Pelicans stretch unbeaten run to six games

Pelicans remain unbeaten and top of the East Premier Division with a record of five wins and a draw from their opening six games.Despite not starting the season as strongly as their hosts, it was Broxbourne who settled into Saturday’s game the better.They forced several short corners, all of which proved to be missed through a combination of wayward finishing but also through some solid defending by Pelicans.As the half moved on, the hosts started to get a grip on the game and took the lead on the break.Some excellent work from Ian Simons down the left-hand side saw him deflect a pass perfectly into the path of Jack Major who did the rest.Pelicans doubled their advantage early in the second half on the counterattack, Jason Esser playing in Toby Phillips who exchanged slick passes with George Van Aalst before slotting homeBroxbourne could have accepted their fate, but instead, they fired back with two goals in quick succession to level up the scores. With the game on a knife edge, it could have gone either way. Pelicans had to be wary at the back with Sam Major, Iain Page, Esser, Simons and Chris Page on full alert to keep Broxbourne at bay.The midfield of Kirwin Christoffels, Sam Landles, Jack Major and Sam Phillips was, yet again the driving force for Pelicans and in the end the hosts simply outran their opposition and their fitness levels proved to be the match-winner.Captain Sam Phillips put his side back in front with a fierce reverse stick shot which left the keeper helpless, his brother Toby grabbed his second of the game and Pelicans’ fourth after another brilliant bit of link-up play with Flying Dutchman, Van Aalst who was superb all afternoon. The 5-2 win was rounded off from the penalty spot with a penalty stroke converted in style by centre-back Iain Page who found the top corner for his first of the season.In truth, it wasn’t Pelicans’ finest performance but the three points are all that matters.On Saturday, they travel to Ipswich who sit in fourth place and will be sure to be another tough test.Pelicans MoN, sponsored by 4Way: George Van Aalst.