The Pumas lined up in their usual 3-5-2, with James in goal, a back 3 of Jameel, Tom and Omar. Kingsley CDM, with Miles and Samuel in midfield. Heath and Jacob occupied the wing back positions with Jaiden and Shak up front.

The game started slowly for the Pumas, lacking their usual energy and press. Windsor started well, and grew in confidence after a couple of chances.

Pumas were unfortunately not their fluid selves, and found it hard to string many passes together. Often opting for long passes, and free-kicks played very direct.

The first goal of the game arrived when Jameel came out of defence, and left it for a team mate, ultimately gifting possession to Windsor. The ball was played forward, and despite the best efforts of James to come off his line, the ball looped over him into the far corner. 0-1.

The goal shocked the Pumas, but there was plenty of the game ahead of them. The lead didn’t last long. The imperious Jacob got the Pumas back into the game, taking the ball inside, from 20 yards out striking the ball into the top right corner. The keeper didn’t even move, neither should he have bothered; no 13-year-old was saving that.

The first half ended with Pumas beginning to find their rhythm and in control of the game, albeit not hitting the levels they are capable of. 1-1 at half time and lots to do.

Abbey, and Simon had some strong words for the boys at half time, and they responded. Jaiden was starting to see more of the ball. Often with his back to goal, and deeper than he would have liked, but it was Jaiden’s powerful run in the left channel which drew a penalty for the Pumas. He picked the ball up, drove into the box, using his pace and power to get ahead of the defender. As the ball was played across the box, the Windsor defender decided to kick a lump out of Jaiden, and with the ball already gone, the referee had little choice but to point to the spot. Issac stepped up, and gave the keeper no chance, with an impeccable penalty into the bottom corner. 2-1.

This was the start of the 2nd half the team wanted. However, rather than building on it, the game remained scrappy. Windsor were still in it, and the Pumas continued to get drawn into a war of attrition, rather than playing their own game. Another misplaced pass in the middle resulted in a turnover, and from the breakaway Windsor won a free kick on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick was struck low, and hard. James saved the initial shot, but the Windsor attacker was there first to tap in, 2-2. Another goal conceded from a rebound, definitely something for the Pumas to work on.

As the game moved into the final stages it was in the balance. Jacob continued to be the main threat, constantly making driving runs, switching his runs inside, and out. I’m not sure what he had for breakfast, but he never stopped running. From a throw-in on the half way line the Pumas finally showed what they were capable of. A throw in to William was received on the half turn, Tené made a run on his outside, a neat ball played into his path was collected by Tené. He played a great slide rule pass, which Jacob took in his stride, steadied himself and fired into the far corner. 3-2.

The game was now stretched, and the Pumas had a glorious chance to put the game to bed. Jaiden again made a driving run into the box, unable to deal with his pace, and power, he was again hauled down. Penalty Pumas. Jaiden stepped up to take it. Unfortunately, his penalty lacked conviction, and was turned over.

The last 5 minutes were more nerve wrecking than they needed to be. Tené was replaced by Heath, at the advice of the referee. A reflection of the frustration felt by most of the team, and coaches. James was called into action, saving from a long ball, and surviving a collision with Jameel. He recovered to get back, and make a sprawling save to his left. The game finished 3-2. A very scrappy affair, which will be remembered for Jacob’s heroics. Collecting the coaches Player of the Match again.

Report by Lee Costello (Coach)

Pinewood Football Club

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