Pelicans Ladies suffer narrow defeat

Pelicans Ladies made the trip to Cambridge to face a strong side who were sitting second in the league and pushing for promotion.In the reverse fixture at Alive Lynnsport earlier in the season, they narrowly defeated Pelicans 1-0.From the offset, the Pelicans had complete control of the pace, piling the pressure onto South.Great runs from Bianca Fraulo Hilario and link-up play with Karise Sherry caught the home side off guard.Unfortunately for Pelicans, South were awarded a penalty corner late on in the first half.A well-worked routine saw the ball tipped in off the post past the Pelicans defenders.Pelicans responded to this goal with a quick break from the restart.Kiona Sequeira played a long ball towards goal, which rebounded perfectly off of the post, for Clair Morton to run onto, but her short unfortunately went wide.Despite several attacks from the visitors, South had fortune on their side and were awarded a penalty stroke.However, Pelicans goalkeeper Lucy Sagrott had no issues saving this to deny South a second goal.But Pelicans’ joy was short-lived as, just before half-time, South scored another penalty corner to go 2-0 up.After the restart, Sherry made an excellent run towards the goal, ghosting past players who tried to stop her, even getting around the goalkeeper.In the face of an open goal, Sherry took a shot with the ball going just wide.Late in the second half, Fraulo Hilario managed to work the ball around the goalkeeper to close the deficit and score.Pelicans fought right up until the last whistle as Morton launched an aerial in an effort to find an equaliser.The game ended 2-1, with just a goal between the teams as there was earlier in the season.PoM: Clair Morton.