Ladies 1st XI Vs St Ives 1

Pelicans Ladies 1’s v St. Ives Ladies 1sts 17th November 2018 at Pelicans Hockey Club.

Team – Atlanta Stevenson (GK), Laura Tea (C), Nic Lankfer, Ellie Burt, Grace Carrier, Mia Moore, Ellie Bower, Hannah Bowman, Poppy Beales, Holly Nash, Amber Scott, Lucy Lim and Gabby Stillgoe.

Pelicans Ladies 1sts welcomed St Ives to Lynnsport on a cold, sunny autumn afternoon. Peli’s were in their normal diamond formation with changed roles for some players due to injury and unavailability. Stevenson in goal, back three of Carrier at left back instead of her normal forward role, Bowman centre back and Lankfer right back, Scott left midfield rather than wing, Nash right midfield, Burt at the base of the diamond, Tea at the top of the diamond. Three forwards with Stillgoe left wing, Beales centre forward and Moore right wing.

Pelis knew they had a game on their hands with St Ives currently second in 2NW and having a very solid season. Pelis started well but St Ives went on to dominate the opening minutes with Pelis defence under sustained pressure. Pelis broke out and Gabby Stillgoe made a fine run forward but found herself isolated just outside the St Ives D and the attack broke down. Pelis were now on the front foot and Amber Scott won the ball in midfield and showed her pace to break down the left squaring the ball to Laura Tea who weighted a lovely pass through to Poppy Beales to take at full tilt and smash a reverse strike goalward which was parried by the St Ives keeper for Beales to collect on the rebound and dispatch. 1-0 to Pelicans.

St Ives, perhaps stung by a Pelicans goal somewhat against the run of play, went on the attack and a loose ball bobbling in the Pelis D was lifted over the advancing Stevenson by an alert St Ives forward. 1-1

Pelis responded with a solo break from Poppy Beales, skipping around three St Ives defenders only to see her reverse strike kept out by a fine save from the keeper who saved Mia Moore’s well struck follow up. It was now end to end stuff, and only moments later St Ives won a penalty corner which was well saved by Stevenson only for the rebound to be well struck into the corner. 2-1 to St Ives. Pelis won a short corner of their own after great work from Laura Tea weaving through four St Ives defenders and finding a foot in the D. St Ives successfully defended and played their way into the Pelis D, a soft but accurate shot almost trickling into the Pelicans goal. 3-1 and no one seemed to know what had happened, a rather bizarre goal with no protest but almost as if both teams were spectating as the ball rolled into the net. An odd one.

Pelicans continued to break forward and won a short corner through Poppy Beales as she was obstructed in the D having picked up the ball and turned goalward with lovely 3D skills. The resulting strike from Laura Tea was saved but the rebound dispatched in a businesslike manner by Beales. 3-2 and game on.

St Ives immediately responded and short, accurate, passing hockey took them down field, into the Pelis D and scored. 4-2 to St Ives. Pelicans were down but not out, Burt and Tea continuing to create in midfield with Lim and Scott (who both had very good games) breaking down the flanks allowing Stillgoe, Moore and Beales to attack the St Ives goal. Nash and Beales both went close but a fine display by the St Ives keeper kept them at bay. 4-2 final score.

A close match and Pelicans can have few complaints with a win for a well organised St Ives team who looked resolute and calm in defence and played short, sharp accurate passing hockey throughout the team. St Ives were assisted by their goalkeeper having a very good game and producing a series of fine saves.

Player of the Match – Grace Carrier for a resolute performance out of position in defence, showing excellent timing in the tackle, calm and accurate distribution to midfield and still managing to break forward on occasion. Well played.

Alistair Beales 17/11/18