Pelicans men’s 1sts beat Ipswich 5-2 in East Premier Division to move clear of relegation battle

Pelicans men’s 1sts made it back-to-back victories and dragged themselves away from any possible East Premier Division relegation battle as the hockey season enters its final month.

They did so in style, beating Ipswich 5-2 on Saturday, and producing some hockey which more than showed they belong at this level again after a tricky few weeks.

It also avenged a 3-0 defeat inflicted on them by Ipswich earlier in the season.

Pelicans took the lead from a short corner, captain Sam Phillips didn’t quite get the contact he wanted on his drag flick but the ball fell to man-of-the-match George Van Aalst who readjusted and slipped his finish through the keeper.

Ipswich weren’t behind for long though and levelled through a short corner of their own. Pelicans retook the lead through the hardworking Miles Doncaster, who was set up by Jack Major.

A breathless first half came to an end with a second Ipswich equaliser leaving the game finely poised at 2-2.

A second half that could have seen the game sway either way was dominated by the home side.

They comfortably dealt with anything Ipswich had in attack and overran their visitors with a superior level of skill, speed and creativity.

Major scored twice on the break after excellent work from his strike partner Van Aalst who twice laid chances on a plate for him.

Pelicans completed victory with their fifth goal.

A flicked pass from centre-back Iain Page found Jacob Craig down the left-hand side, his cross was blocked by the Ipswich goalkeeper but it rebounded to Van Aalst, who capped a superb performance with another slick finish.

Pelicans make their final long away trip of the season to Letchworth this Saturday.

The women’s 1sts lost 3-2 at home to Cambridge University 3rds in East Division 2 North.