Cranes 6 Pelicans 1

NEHockey East Men's League

Division 4NE

Cranes 6 Pelicans 1

CRANE secured a comprehensive victory over Pelicans, which went according to form for the sides occupying opposite extremes of the league table. Pelicans started brightly, calling the defence into action on a few occasions and demanding some recovery work from the back but Cranes soon began to show their superiority and the pressure began to mount.

Pelicans held on for 10 minutes before Crane achieved the breakthrough. Andy Bristow cut out a 16-yard hit and drove straight down the left channel, cutting back for Robin Johnson to sweep into the net on his reverse.

Bristow added the second five minutes later, this time a lifted shot from Johnson at the edge of the area was deflected at just below shoulder height past the keeper and into the goal. Paul Muchal touched in Cranes third before Pelicans grabbed one back after a mix up in defence.

After half time Crane looked to increase their dominance and rack up goals but were foiled by the Pelicans' ploy of continuously breaking down play which was allowed to go on to the frustrations of Crane players.

Despite this Bristow broke down the left and centred for Johnson to add his second before Craig Bloomfield saw his penalty corner strike blocked by a foot on the line, he duly converted the stroke. Bristow rounded off the scoring, tapping in Johnsons cross shot.

Crane sit four points clear at the top of the table with 4 games to play.