Pelicans FC White

(October 3, 2011 – Atlanta, GA) – Pelicans FC White kicked off the 2011-2012 ADASL season against their arch rivals Bafana on a picture perfect fall morning. Gracing the field for the Pelicans in this season opener were a mix of familiar old and new faces – of the new blood, ex-Bafana standout Mitch Losey started with a point to prove.

Pelicans FC White got off to a confident start against the initially short handed Bafana. The Pelicans were having their way with early possession, but other than a few crosses from the right side which troubled both the Bafana keeper and back-line, the Pelicans couldn’t really fashion any gilt edged chances. Perhaps most promising to Pelicans management was the performance of their early defense as Bafana struggled to string more than a few passes together, and failed to test Pelican’s stand-in keeper Jem McAbee in any way.

About a third of the way through the first half, the Pelicans finally broke the deadlock. After another menacing run and teasing cross from the right-side, the Pelicans forced a corner from the left side. Captain and longtime Pelican Lawrence Monroe ambled over to take the set-piece and promptly dispatched it directly in to the Bafana goal leaving both the keeper and a defender on top of each other inside the old onion bag. It was no more than the Pelicans deserved, and certainly settled any nerves they may have had.

Bafana were soon at full strength as their kit manager and known lush Tommy Evans finally arrived with their gear. However, the evening up of numbers did not stop Pelicans FC White from dominating possession, and blanking every attacking option Bafana had to offer. Particular standouts were the roles played by DeShaun, Justin and Nick – each of whom dealt admirably with the threat of one of the ADASL’s most prolific scorers, Shaun Camay. As the half petered out to the constant and erratic whistle of the referee, Pelicans maintained their one goal advantage.

Pelicans White opened the second half with perhaps the best ball movement of the game. Several players were involved from back to front with some lovely one touch passing. Alas, as was the case in much of the first half, not a great deal came of this movement in the final third. Bafana threatened a few times in the first third of the second half, but again the Pelicans defense held strong and forced a number of Bafana attempts from distance. However, the Pelicans would soon take control of the game again, and repeal any remaining threat to their goal.

Once again, just as the second half had begun, Pelicans FC White produced a series of passes in which Bafana were chasing shadows. At the heart of this move was Richard Henry who showed patience and unselfishness to put captain marvelous Lawrence Monroe through on goal. With poise and composure, he slotted the ball past the on rushing keeper to put the away team on top two goals to zero. Bafana heads dropped, and the result was put beyond doubt. Pelicans FC White will hope to take this performance to Southern Wolves next week.

Match report courtesy of Roy McClymont