Pelicans through to last eight of cup

Pelicans booked their place in the last eight of the Englands Hockey Masters Tier 2 O40s Cup with a resounding victory on Sunday.The West Norfolk outfit welcomed Saffron Walden to Alive Lynnsport for a last-16 clash.Pelicans fielded a very strong line-up, with only a couple of notable absentees.The team were led by the experience of club president Charlie Lankfer in the dugout and captain Chris Hallum on the pitch.Saffron Walden, missing several players due to injury, arrived with just 11 players, but they were up for the challenge.From the start, Pelicans were fired up, moving the ball around the pitch like it was on a wire.Within minutes, the ever-reliable Ash Corbett found the back of the goal with a well-worked attack.Wave after wave, Pelicans continued to attack the Saffron Walden goal, with more goals added by Matt Southby, Ben Hipperson, Ian Simmons and Chris Page.The half-time whistle arrived with Pelicans 6-0 up.Gaffer, Lankfer was not happy with some of the play and gave a rallying team talk to not rest on their laurels to finish the game strongly.Much to Saffron Walden’s dismay, the second half started at an even higher intensity and tempo due to the large swathes of substitutions rolling on and off, keeping Pelicans players fresh.Any attack from Saffron Walden was quickly intercepted by the defence and turned straight back into attack.Goalkeeper Matt Bower was a spectator for the majority of the half.More goals from Chris Page and Ian Simmons finished the game with the home side running out comfortable 8-0 winners.Pelicans now head through to the quarter-finals, which will be played on March 3.