Ladies 1st XI Vs Long Sutton 1

Pelicans Ladies 1st Team v Long Sutton 1sts Saturday 6th Jan 2018 at Long Sutton

Ladies 1sts travelled to Long Sutton looking to avenge a 1-0 home defeat earlier in the season. Early pressure was all from Long Sutton followed by a strong spell from Pelicans with Poppy Beales at centre forward rather than her usual right wing, forcing two diving saves from the very strong Long Sutton keeper. 

Long Sutton stepped up the pace and won a short corner which was put wide from a slick slip to the left. Two more Long Sutton short corners followed from sustained pressure on the Pelicans D, the last of which was defended with one less defender after an early break and needed a calm goal line stop and clearance from Nic Lankfer. 

The game seesawed from end to end and a strong break from Pelicans saw a deflected shot go narrowly wide. From the resulting long corner Long Sutton intercepted and broke and forced yet another short corner which again Pelicans managed to defend. Just before half time the Long Sutton right winger broke clear and her cross into the Pelicans D looked dangerous but could only be sent wide on the reverse by the left wing. 

Pelicans started the second half strongly and strong defence and good building of play though midfield gave the forwards the chance to play with width and pace. Some 15 mins into the second half a pass into the D was well met by Ella Scott and her strong shot deflected in off the goalkeeper – 1-0 to Pelicans. 

Pelicans kept the pressure up and a strong shot on the reverse from Poppy Beales was well saved by the keeper and a follow up shot from Holly Wilson desperately scrambled away. However, Long Sutton gathered themselves and won further short corners which weresuccessfully defended yet again, the last of them seeing another gaol line clearance from Nic Lankfer. Long Sutton kept pressing which allowed Pelicans to counter regularly but despite some good passinghockey and regular forays upfield, a second goal just wouldn’t come. In almost the dying seconds of the match, Long Sutton broke and forced a great diving save from Atalanta Stevenson in the Pelicans goal only for the ball to somehow found its way around her and slowly trickle over the line. 1-1 followed almost immediately by the full time whistle.

An end to end game that saw a great team spirit from Pelicans and strong contributions from all 13 players. Captain Laura Tea, playing at centre back was a resolute and reassuring figure in defence as well as spraying hard, accurate passes to all quarters.  A hugely committed and energetic performance from Ellie Burt in defence and midfield and resolute defending from Nic Lankfer saw those two as well deserved joint POM.