Ladies 1st XI Vs Cambridge Uni 2

Pelicans Ladies 1’s v Cambridge University 2’s Saturday 10th March 2018 at Pelicans Hockey Club 

Pelicans Ladies 1sts welcomed Cambridge University Ladies 2nds to Lynnsport on a sometimes showery but warm, near spring day somewhat in contrast to the snow and ice that disrupted fixtures the previous week. 

Pelicans adopted their normal 3-4-3 formation but with Nic Lankfer away and unavailable, shuffled positions and players. Atlanta Stevenson in goal, a back three of Emily Pluck at left back, Hannah Aldous centre back and Ellie Burt right back, 4 player midfield diamond with Laura Tea at the base in the sweeper role, Lucy Lim at the top of the diamond in high centre mid role, Amy Anderson left mid and Annabelle Brown right mid. Three player forward line up of Grace Carrier on left wing, Poppy Beales at centre forward and Ella Scott on right wing. Holly Wilson started on the bench coming on at left wing as the team shuffled positions throughout the match. 

With the Cambridge University team unsurprisingly made up entirely of young, fit students, Pelicans were under the cosh from the start. Cambs were not only youthful but highly skilled, and with their coach directing proceedings from the touchline, they played excellent passing hockey at high tempo and with great fluency. Pelicans defended valiantly but with constant pressure from Cambs it seemed only a matter of time before the students would score and sure enough they were 2-0 up within twenty minutes. Pelicans kept to their task however, and Poppy Beales, receiving the ball just into the Cambs half, jinked and weaved all the way through midfield past a number of defenders and expertly rounded the keeper to score. A great goal. 

Suitably encouraged, Pelicans believed they could get back into the match but Cambs stepped up the tempo and a flowing move involving nearly all of their team saw a well-placed pass into Pelicans D neatly converted at the far post. 3-1 to Cambs and their young team were now in full cry and another well worked goal saw them 4-1 up at half time. 

The second half saw Cambs players a little more eager to get on the score sheet and as their passing game broke down somewhat, so Pelicans were able to exert some pressure including a well won short corner but no more goals. Cambs scored from a short corner with the last strike of the match and ended with a well deserved 5-1 victory from a match that was played in great spirit. 

Player of the Match for Pelicans was Emily Pluck for endless effort in defence and even managing to break forward on many occasions despite the constant Cambs pressure. All of the Pelicans team can be very proud as they never gave up against a talented and well coached Cambs team that played by far the best hockey of any opponents this season. Atalanta deserves special mention for a sterling goalkeeping performance under almost constant bombardment. Her efforts not only kept the score down but some of the kicks were played out from the back and to a Pelis stick in a manner which would have Pep Guardiola purring. 

Final score - Pelicans Ladies 1sts 1 Cambs Uni 2’s 5 

Alistair Beales 10/3/18 

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