Ladies 1st XI Vs Peterborough 2

Pelicans Ladies 1st Team v City of Peterborough Ladies 2nds Saturday 13th Jan 2018 at Peterborough 

City of Peterborough Ladies 2nds 7 Pelicans Ladies 1sts 0

Pelicans Ladies 1sts travelled to City of Peterborough Hockey Club with a squad of 12 players, Ella Scott and Grace Carrier being unavailable. Hannah Aldous returned to defensive duties at the base of the diamond.  

Pelicans started brightly with good pressure and width down both wings but a break from Peterborough with 13 minutes gone saw them win a short corner which was converted on the rebound by their young right winger, 1-0 to CoP.

Pelicans immediately countered and less than a minute later won a short corner of their own which saw three Pelican shots on goal ending in a CoP free hit awarded for a Pelican foot. Pressure from Peterborough saw them win two short corners in quick succession on 20 minutes which were well defended by Peli’s and forced wide.

On 25 minutes, after good spells of pressure from both teams, CoP won a free hit just outside Pelicans D. The resulting shot on goal deflected across the D for an easy tap in at the far post by an unmarked CoPplayer. 2-0 to CoP. Pelicans responded, and close to half time a good ball from Laura Tea into the CoP D saw a hard goal bound shot from Amy Anderson draw a fine save from the keeper. 

Early in the second half, CoP broke down the right and a series of swift, incisive passes ended with a strong accurate shot from the centre of Pelican’s D. Great running and passing hockey. 3-0 to Peterboroughwho with spirits up soon added a 4th after another fine break down the right. 4-0 to CoP.

Pelicans were not giving up yet though, and right winger Poppy Beales broke from midfield into the CoP D drawing a good save with her first shot and another with the rebound which was picked up by Annabelle Brown who won a short corner for Pelicans. A strong Poppy Beales shot on goal from the short corner was kept out by the CoP keeper, the ball eventually going out for a 16 which saw CoP break downfield and score their 5th. 5-0 to CoP.

The game was now over as a contest and whilst CoP would go on to win more short corners and score two further goals, Pelicans did not give up. Ellie Burt displayed some magical 3D skills to round two opponents whilst keeping the ball of out of touch, Suzie Lemon battled constantly in midfield, Lucy Lim ran tirelessly, Poppy Beales still made the odd break whilst working well with Annabelle Brown, Amy Anderson and particularly Holly Wilson going forward. The defence had a torrid afternoon but Laura Tea, Hannah Aldous, Jade Collison and Nic Lankfer kept tackling to the last. Jade, a player that likes to attack from defence  ran many a mile as she constantly had to track back as CoP broke. Atlanta Stevenson in the Peli’s goal would rather forget the score line but was cheered by cake and a rendition of Happy Birthday at match tea. 

A hard afternoon for Pelicans but an undoubtedly fine performance from a young, fit, well drilled and pacy CoP team and the match was played in a good spirit despite a green card for a player from each team. 

Suzie Lemon with a battling mid field performance, Lucy Lim with tireless running, tackling and passing and Poppy Beales with pacy attacking play were in the running for Player of the Match with Poppy just getting the nod.  

                      Alistair Beales 6/1/18 

Disclaimer – this match report is written by a touchline parent who doesn’t play hockey and who has a daughter in the team. Nepotism and ignorance of the game to the fore!