Pelicans held to home draw

Pelicans 1 Cambridge South 1sts 1

Pelicans dropped points for the first time at home this season – but their bid for East Men’s Division 1 North glory remains firmly in their sights.

Come the end of the season they might reflect on this results as a point gained rather than two points dropped against a well-organised Cambridge South side.

Pelicans took the league early in the first half thanks to their captain Sam Phillips who drag flicked a short corner beautifully into the side of the net leaving the keeper with no chance.

The rest of the half saw both sides look threatening in attack but equally as stubborn in defence.

Perhaps the best chance for the home side to double their lead fell to Harry Sampson who dived full length to convert a pass from Ian Simons only for his shot to be saved.

Defensively the home side were indebted to goalkeeper Dan Upton who denied the visitors twice, the ever-dependable Iain Page was solid as a rock throughout the 70 minutes and was well supported by Simons and Sam Major either side of him.

The second half saw Pelicans tested a lot more defensively.

Defensive shields Phoenix Sherry, Jack Major and the returning Kirwin Christoffels were kept extremely busy but did a fine job in preventing an equaliser.

Going forward, Miles Doncaster was a constant threat down the right and chances fell to Toby Phillips, George Van Aalst and Matt Southby.

Just as it seemed that Pelicans weathered everything Cambridge South had to throw at them and, with only six minutes left, a well-struck penalty corner saw Upton beaten and the points shared.

Pelicans enter the final game of the first half of the season on Saturday as they travel to second-placed St Ives who have been in fantastic form recently.

St Ives have surged up the table so an absolute thriller between the top two is expected.

4Way MoM: Iain Page.

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