Our opening fixture of the season presented us a tough challenge, visiting last years runners up, Grange. Traditionally this has been a bit of a non-penetrable fortress, where the Stags are not willing to give much away. Recent memories of two heavy defeats mirred by the colours of various cards handed out to the Pelicans, have clouded the real potential of past clashes. On what can only be described as a ‘fine’ day out in the capital, the boys were hoping that their game would follow suit.

Grange came out of the blocks at a furious pace, instantly putting the Pelicans under pressure when in possession and making it difficult for them to get out of their own half. Truth be told as the early phases of the half went on Gordonians didn’t find themselves in possession too much. The defence was breached early on when a sloppy clearance by our very own author, led to a second successive short corner. With a second bite of the cherry, the Stag’s new Aussie import, Dominic Wild, dispatched it with aplomb. Giving credibility to his surname.

There is something quite romantic about a side who know that they are underdogs yet battle away relentlessly, regardless of the setbacks. This Gordonian side have instilled a work ethic and a discipline which was missing this time last year. Performances from the likes of Stuart Allan and Ian Coffey following their opposition numbers like sheep and a shepherd galvanized the troops. The visiting side managed to fashion some chances through their hard work and structured approach but could not capitalize on them. However, at the other end Grange were kept at bay and struggled to create anything for themselves. Sam McGrath, stepping in for the injured O’Kelly looked like a seasoned prefessional between the sticks despite his youthful age telling us otherwise.

The pelicans went into half time only a goal behind with a positive first half display where they could have been level.

But yet again, the home side started off the second half much like the first with a fresh intense impetus putting the yellow men on the back foot. They got their early reward after five minutes with Luke Cranney playing the poacher role inside the D after some heroic defending. Gordonians were then undone only a few minutes later by a very questionable umpiring decision; resulting in a corner. Such bafflement rocked the away side and the Aussie, Wild, placed a cultured flick into the top right beyond the reach of McGrath.

A glimmer of hope came in the way of John Hamilton, finding himself in space in the opposition half. His lightning speed a terror for any national league 1 side. His good work resulted in a goal mouth scramble, where brother of former Grange favourite Matt Connor, Jamie Connor slapped a shot towards back post and that man Rory McCann finished the job off to open his account for the season.

Dubious umpiring again led to a penalty stroke for the home side just after the Pelicans had got themselves back in the game. This was put away by Callum Milne. Following that, yours truly, gave away a corner after a poor turnover and a lazy foot left out. Maintaining their high conversion rate, Luke Cranney was able to grab his second of the day.

But the underdogs refused to lie down and yet again. Danger man, John Hamilton, was left in a huge amount of space, no doubt because of his superior leading ability he’s been working on during pres season, giving everyone a sense of de ja vu. He pulled the ball back with the classic right wing manoever, for it to fall kindly to that man McCann again. A crisp, clean hit evading the keepers reach pulled the score to within 3. I’d like to challenge anyone to find a player with a greater conversions rate in the whole of Scottish hockey. 2 shots. 2 goals. His cylinders are firing this year.

Towards the end, it was clear to see the game becoming more and more open and the monumental effort this Gordonian side had put in was running out of steam. A goal form Luke Cranney to complete his hat trick and another from Cammie Fraser left the score at 7-2.

The score flatters the home side a little, who came off the pitch knowing they’d been in Craig Harper’s trenches. A lot of positives to take into the next fixture; which is another trip to capital to face Edinburgh Uni.