Doust a marked man for firsts

DEFENDER WAS PLAYER OF THE MATCH IN DEFEAT TO PELICANS

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Miles Jeanneret and Mike Herd watching team-mates in action at Swavesey

CAMBRIDGE South Hockey Club's men’s firsts frustrating season continued as they pushed promotion chasers Pelicans extremely hard, but once again found themselves beaten by the odd goal.

The Kings Lynn outfit came into the game level on points with East Hockey Men's Premier Division leaders Blueharts, but South were unfazed, recovering from falling 1-0 down on ten minutes to lead 2-1 late in the first half after a brace of strikes from Teddie Clifton.

Pelicans levelled things up before the break, but an upset was still in the air until the hosts scored from a set piece with ten minutes remaining.

South's central defender Ed Doust took player-of-the-match honours in an unusual move Pelicans opted to man-mark him as his distribution of the ball from the back was causing the hosts serious problems.

Meanwhile, South men’s seconds were beaten 4-1 by near-neighbours Nomads in a Division 2NW derby battle. An early goal from Will Robinson had South chasing the game, which lead to them being 3-0 down at halftime.