Pelicans share six goals in final game of season

Pelicans rounded off an encouraging season with a very entertaining six-goal thriller at home to second-place side Saffron Walden.After the final whistle, coach Sean Kerry had a very simple message for his squad: “The aim was to stay up in this league at the season and that’s exactly what we’ve done but we aren’t done yet, this is just the start and we’ll go again next season.”The home side started the game on the front foot and took the lead early on.A mistimed strike at goal by Jack Major bobbled its way to the back post where poacher George Van Aalst reacted well to finish off. Following this fast start to the game, both teams looked to gain some control, with the visitors looking threatening and before half-time they did manage an equaliser.Despite this setback, Pelicans remained firm at the back with Chris Page, Jason Esser, Iain Page looking solid.Pelicans started the second half strongly and retook the lead through their midfield maestro’s captain Sam Phillips found Kirwin Christoffels in space, who smashed in a superb strike on his reverse stick, leaving the Walden keeper powerless.The lead was then extended to 3-1 soon afterwards; good work from Sefton Maud found Miles Doncaster to slot home a well-deserved goal. Doncaster found himself all over the pitch, playing at right-back and slotting into the role effortlessly. He also found himself higher up the pitch where he is more accustomed and almost scored the goal of the season when a beautifully-weighted pass from Ian Simmons saw Doncaster dive full length to reach the pass but he was denied by a superb save.With less than ten minutes to go and seemingly in control of the game Pelicans began to come under some real pressure from their visitors.After a string of short corners, which were well saved by goalkeeper Dan Upton, one eventually snuck through, hitting Iain Page on the line, leading to a penalty stroke which was converted. Despite this, Pelicans continued to battle.Sam Landles, Ollie Booth and youngster Thomas Anderson did everything they could throughout the 70 minutes, but in the dying embers of the game, Saffron Walden found an equaliser to share the spoils.Pelicans MoM, sponsored by 4Way: Miles Doncaster.