Pelicans continue fine start

It was the Cristofells and Carpenter show as the Pelicans made it seven points from nine in the East Premier Division with a win against Upminister.The 5-2 scoreline against a side who were also promoted to the division in the summer may look comfortable, but the game was anything but as Pelicans struggled to find their usual rhythm against a well-organised Upminster outfit.The first half was goalless but the best chance fell to the Pelicans and Jack Major who missed the target from a penalty stroke that was as near as either side got.Upminster were a threat at times and caused problems to the Pelicans’ defence of Sam Major. Iain Page, Huw Mathers and Ian Simons. Veteran goalkeeper Mat Bower was in between the sticks and also looked in good form.Into the second half, Pelicans suffered an early sucker punch as Upminster took the lead on the break, they didn’t hold the lead for long though as Jacob Craig equalised with a deflection from the top of the circle.The teams weren’t level for long though as the visitors retook the lead, again on the break.Fortunately, they weren’t behind for long again as the Pelicans levelled things up through their midfield dynamo Kirwin Christoffels. The longer the game went on the more Pelicans began to take some control as their fitness began to overpower their opponents. Major missed a great chance at the back post before getting his goal soon after, another superb deflected effort.Christoffels then scored again after a fantastic advantage was played by the umpire.The playmaker reacted quickest, didn’t stop like everyone else around him and hammered a strike past the keeper to make it three goals in two games. The final goal and the game were wrapped up by another midfield general, Sid Carpenter, who again was fantastic throughout the 70 minutes.Carpenter picked up the ball, dodged and weaved through the tired defence before slotting a strike into the corner.On Saturday, Pelicans are once again on home turf as they host Old Southendians (3pm).Pelicans MoM sponsored by 4Way: Sid Carpenter.