Coxhoe United Rockets v SAFC Foundation Pumas

4th October 2009

It was bright and breezy at Coxhoe and the pitch was in good condition which would suit the Pumas passing game. Coxoes league position and stats lead us to believe this was a game we should win, but we would need to maintain our discipline  and shape to ensure that we made and took scoring opportunities and keep a clean sheet. The Pumas kicked off with a strong wind blowing with them and despite lengthy possession and  strong pressure it took ten minutes before the first goal. Harry took a throw deep in Coxoes half toward the goal, Matty turned his defender brought the ball under control and struck it past the keeper. The Coxoe defenders were well drilled in the offside trap and caught our forwards out on numerous occasions. The second Pumas goal was a great individual effort from Cush taking control of the ball in the Pumas half of pitch stepping skilfully round the Coxoe defenders and using his speed to carry the ball towards the goal before firing the ball into the back of the net. Goals three and four came in the space of two minutes, the third a corner which found its way out to Sykes who's powerful shot glided into the back of the net and the fourth from Matty using speed and skill to avoid the tackles and slot the ball home. Cush, Matty and Titch added another three goals before half time and the Pumas were in complete control of the tie and Coxhoe could not contain us.

 For the second half Johnny Doyle was put up front in a bid to end his goal drought and his first contribution was an assist to Sam's first goal of the game. The Pumas ninth goal came from Matty and then to everyones delight and surprise Johnny Doyle finally made it on to the score sheet and put the score into double figures. Everyone was looking to score now and the Pumas were pushing on continuously. The eleventh goal was a text book free kick from Jordan eluding the wall and the keeper which was awarded after Harry was forced off the ball following a jinking run from his left back position. Having shaken off his bad luck in front of goal Johnny Doyle was on fire and completed the scoring with a brace of well taken goals and was unfortunate to be denied a fourth.

This was an excellent professional performance and all the better for a clean sheet.