Pelicans move eight points clear at top

There’s a saying in sport “good teams always find a way to win” and that adage can be described by Pelicans’ victory over Norwich City last Saturday.

The last three fixtures between the teams have all ended in draws so this was also going to be a tight, tense affair and that’s exactly what it proved.

The first half saw Norwich play some good hockey which, given their low position in the league, was surprising but they caused plenty of problems for the home side but without really forcing Pelicans to worry.

The home side were always dangerous on the break but for some reason, things just weren’t clicking for them and in a goalless first half frustrations were clearly showing at the interval.

Norwich continued this trend in the second half and kept Iain Page, Chris Page, Sam Major and Dan Upton busy in goal.

Phoenix Sherry and Kirwin Christoffels also had a battle on their hands throughout as well.

Going forward, the home side started to create more chances.

Jack Major and Harry Sampson were threatening and almost put their side in front while captain Sam Phillips also looked dangerous, as he often does.

Just as the game entered its final minutes and a fourth draw in a row seemed likely, Pelicans won a shirt corner after excellent work from Miles Doncaster and Christoffels.

The push-out by Ian Simons went to Phillips, whose drag-flick took a wicked deflection and ended up beating the Norwich goalkeeper.

There was still time for man-of-the-match Upton to pull off two match-winning saves in the dying embers of the game to secure his side a three vital points.

Pelicans are now eight points clear at the top of Division 1N ahead of their third of four trips this season to Cambridge on Saturday to face the students of Cambridge University.

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