Pelicans make winning start in East Premier Division

Pelicans’ first game back in the East Premier Division for more than a decade couldn’t have gone much better as they secured an excellent victory against Blueherts.Blueherts finished third in the league last season but Pelicans dominated the majority of the game and could have easily one by a greater margin.Off the back of a tough, yet rewarding pre-season under the watchful eye of coach Sean Kerry the hosts included several new recruits in their line-up.Defenders Huw Mathers (university) and Jason Esser, who has joined from local rivals Wisbech, as well as Sid Carpenter and Sam Landles who have returned to the club after injury.Pelicans broke the deadlock in the first half through forward George Van Aalst who latched on to a loose ball in the circle before firing past the goalkeeper.The second half saw see chances fall to Jack Major, captain Sam Phillips and Ian Simons as the home side enjoyed plenty of possession.The visitors’ game plan was to try to hit Pelicans on the break but Mathers, Esser, Sam Major, Iain Page, Chris Page and Ian Simons were rock solid at the back, while Dan Upton had a comfortable afternoon between the posts too. The closest Blueherts came to scoring was when Mathers produced a brilliant goal-line clearance. In front of them, Kirwin Christoffels was sensational all afternoon, driving his team forward and being that extra bit of protection for his defenders, along with Carpenter, Ollie Booth and Landles.The front line of Toby Phillips, Miles Doncaster, Van Aalst and interchanged brilliantly all afternoon.They finally got what they deserved to confirm their victory when a fantastic driving run from Christoffels saw him set up last season’s top scorer and captain Phillips to slam home his first of the season. On Saturday, Pelicans travel to Dereham who they last faced two years ago, taking four points from a possible six.Those games came in a season which saw Dereham crowned champions of the very league Pelicans won last season. Elsewhere at the weekend, the men’s 2nds won 3-1 win against Ely while the men’s 3rds suffered a 7-2 loss against Spalding 3rds.There was no joy for the ladies 1sts with a 5-2 reverse to Spalding while the ladies 2nds suffered a 2-1 defeat to their counterparts from St Neots.The ladies 3rds triumphed 5-0 against Long Sutton 2nds.