The opening fixture of the Premier League campaign saw Pumas drawn away to a very competent Penwortham team. We've watched Pumas develop over the past three years into a very capable side but could they cut it at this level? This was a bench-mark test which would tell us a lot about the relative strengths and weaknesses of the team at this new level.
With the exception of top goal scorer Elliot, who was unable to play, Pumas had a full strength squad and the initial line up was:- Conor (1) Caleb (4) Callum (15) Sam (2) Matt (5) Lewis (12) Ben (8) Tyler (14) Dion (9) Jack (11) and Eddie (3) with Robert (6) and Tom (7) ready to come on as subs.
The first 5 minutes saw Pumas dominating possession with Tyler, Lewis and Caleb all having shots at goal which the Blues keeper handled very well. The play was a bit scrappy and Pumas were not looking as fluent as usual even though they were winning all of the individual tussles. The Blues first attack came after 5mins with Conor dealing comfortably with their effort. Jack was put through on his own but the Blues' keeper came quickly off his line to save bravely. Then it was Eddie's turn again when the ball broke to him after a scramble and his shot went narrowly wide of the RH post. After 9mins Ben and Callum combined well before Callum set up another Pumas attack finished by Jack shooting over the bar. Sam was looking in full control of the Blues right wing and was timing his tackles to perfection. Matt was also prominent and was linking play together well down the left side of the pitch.
A minute later Tyler made a strong run down the right wing and delivered a good cross forcing a Blues defender to head towards his own goal which their keeper managed to save. Pumas were so dominant that there was a danger of being caught by a counter-attack and Caleb had to be quick to track back to deal with such a break. Ben was powerful in midfield winning every 50/50 ball as usual and he slipped a lovely pass to Lewis after 13mins. Lewis controlled the ball well and fed a perfect through ball to Dion who finished the move with clinical precision. 0 - 1.
Soon after Matt fed Jack who worked the ball down the left and produced a great cross for Eddie to force another good save from the Blues keeper who was keeping his side in the game. After 16mins Ben and Lewis combined in the middle before releasing a perfectly timed through ball to Dion which beat the off-side trap. Unfortunately with only the keeper to beat from 8 yards the ball 'bobbled' just as he shot and the ball went harmlessly wide. The next few minutes were a bit scrappy again and Caleb had to be sharp to deal with another Blues break and then Tyler made a good run down the right wing crossing for Eddie to make no mistake this time from short range only for his effort to be judged to have been off-side!
Tom came on for Eddie and after 22mins came the most controversial incident in the match. The Blues made a rare attack and following a bit of a scramble in the Pumas penalty area Blues hit a shot which hit the bar and came out and immediately shot again which hit the post. It seemed a fortunate escape for the Pumas but the Ref, from a position inside the centre circle and without a linesman on that side ruled that the ball had crossed the line and awarded a goal to the Blues!! 1 - 1.
After 26mins Tyler made a great run down the right wing using his skill and strength to beat 3 defenders before shooting just wide. Then Callum did some great defensive work making a last ditch tackle to break up a rare dangerous Blues attack just before half time.
With the exception of top goal scorer Elliot, who was unable to play, Pumas had a full strength squad and the initial line up was:- Conor (1) Caleb (4) Callum (15) Sam (2) Matt (5) Lewis (12) Ben (8) Tyler (14) Dion (9) Jack (11) and Eddie (3) with Robert (6) and Tom (7) ready to come on as subs.
The first 5 minutes saw Pumas dominating possession with Tyler, Lewis and Caleb all having shots at goal which the Blues keeper handled very well. The play was a bit scrappy and Pumas were not looking as fluent as usual even though they were winning all of the individual tussles. The Blues first attack came after 5mins with Conor dealing comfortably with their effort. Jack was put through on his own but the Blues' keeper came quickly off his line to save bravely. Then it was Eddie's turn again when the ball broke to him after a scramble and his shot went narrowly wide of the RH post. After 9mins Ben and Callum combined well before Callum set up another Pumas attack finished by Jack shooting over the bar. Sam was looking in full control of the Blues right wing and was timing his tackles to perfection. Matt was also prominent and was linking play together well down the left side of the pitch.
A minute later Tyler made a strong run down the right wing and delivered a good cross forcing a Blues defender to head towards his own goal which their keeper managed to save. Pumas were so dominant that there was a danger of being caught by a counter-attack and Caleb had to be quick to track back to deal with such a break. Ben was powerful in midfield winning every 50/50 ball as usual and he slipped a lovely pass to Lewis after 13mins. Lewis controlled the ball well and fed a perfect through ball to Dion who finished the move with clinical precision. 0 - 1.
Soon after Matt fed Jack who worked the ball down the left and produced a great cross for Eddie to force another good save from the Blues keeper who was keeping his side in the game. After 16mins Ben and Lewis combined in the middle before releasing a perfectly timed through ball to Dion which beat the off-side trap. Unfortunately with only the keeper to beat from 8 yards the ball 'bobbled' just as he shot and the ball went harmlessly wide. The next few minutes were a bit scrappy again and Caleb had to be sharp to deal with another Blues break and then Tyler made a good run down the right wing crossing for Eddie to make no mistake this time from short range only for his effort to be judged to have been off-side!
Tom came on for Eddie and after 22mins came the most controversial incident in the match. The Blues made a rare attack and following a bit of a scramble in the Pumas penalty area Blues hit a shot which hit the bar and came out and immediately shot again which hit the post. It seemed a fortunate escape for the Pumas but the Ref, from a position inside the centre circle and without a linesman on that side ruled that the ball had crossed the line and awarded a goal to the Blues!! 1 - 1.
After 26mins Tyler made a great run down the right wing using his skill and strength to beat 3 defenders before shooting just wide. Then Callum did some great defensive work making a last ditch tackle to break up a rare dangerous Blues attack just before half time.
Half time Blues 1 Pumas 1
The second half started with Robert coming on for Tyler and Pumas now had the advantage of a slight slope and a light breeze. It quickly became apparent that this made a big difference to the Blues' ability to clear the ball out of defence giving Pumas more attacking opportunities. Caleb, Robert and Dion combined well on the right but the final cross was miss-hit for a goal kick. Another controversial incident happened after 6mins when a Pumas attack down the right was flagged for off-side by the linesman which the ref either didn't see or chose to ignore. From the resultant scramble the ball came loose to Robert just inside the box and he coolly beat the keeper with a quick shot. 1 - 2.
Pumas were dominant without really threatening to increase their lead and with only a one goal advantage they had to be careful of being caught on the break. Lewis came forward several times and had powerful long range shots which either went wide of the target or were dealt with easily by the keeper. Robert showed good dribbling skills before setting up a shooting chance for Ben whose shot was also comfortably saved. After 17mins came a rare shot from the Blues, confidently saved by Conor who had not had a lot to do. Then he was in the thick of it as Blues won their first corner on the left which brought Conor into action a few more times. Jack, Eddie and Tyler were working well together and after 22mins Tyler crashed a beauty against the bar and Blues were glad to scramble the ball clear. 3mins later Tyler was again on the attack with a goal bound effort headed away for a corner which was taken on the right by Robert from which Tom shot just wide. Another corner on the right was taken this time by Tyler and Tom, Jack and Eddie were queuing up to knock it in but it just wouldn't fall right for them.
A minute later a quick throw was nudged on to Tyler who controlled it well near the penalty spot before beating the keeper with a fine shot. 1 - 3.
The second half started with Robert coming on for Tyler and Pumas now had the advantage of a slight slope and a light breeze. It quickly became apparent that this made a big difference to the Blues' ability to clear the ball out of defence giving Pumas more attacking opportunities. Caleb, Robert and Dion combined well on the right but the final cross was miss-hit for a goal kick. Another controversial incident happened after 6mins when a Pumas attack down the right was flagged for off-side by the linesman which the ref either didn't see or chose to ignore. From the resultant scramble the ball came loose to Robert just inside the box and he coolly beat the keeper with a quick shot. 1 - 2.
Pumas were dominant without really threatening to increase their lead and with only a one goal advantage they had to be careful of being caught on the break. Lewis came forward several times and had powerful long range shots which either went wide of the target or were dealt with easily by the keeper. Robert showed good dribbling skills before setting up a shooting chance for Ben whose shot was also comfortably saved. After 17mins came a rare shot from the Blues, confidently saved by Conor who had not had a lot to do. Then he was in the thick of it as Blues won their first corner on the left which brought Conor into action a few more times. Jack, Eddie and Tyler were working well together and after 22mins Tyler crashed a beauty against the bar and Blues were glad to scramble the ball clear. 3mins later Tyler was again on the attack with a goal bound effort headed away for a corner which was taken on the right by Robert from which Tom shot just wide. Another corner on the right was taken this time by Tyler and Tom, Jack and Eddie were queuing up to knock it in but it just wouldn't fall right for them.
A minute later a quick throw was nudged on to Tyler who controlled it well near the penalty spot before beating the keeper with a fine shot. 1 - 3.
This relieved the pressure on Pumas who looked more relaxed as full time approached. Robert made a good run down the right and delivered a perfect cross for Eddie to slot it home skilfully only to be denied by the off-side flag for the second time.
Full Time Penwortham St Teresas Blues 1 Ladybridge Pumas 3
Pumas safely negotiated a potentially tricky debut in the Premier Division. This wasn't their most fluent performance and the lads were probably understandably a bit nervous with the big build up to this game and the weight of expectation on their shoulders. However, a win's a win and this is a great start to the season proper. Hopefully the lads can now relax and enjoy their football in this league in front of their ever growing band of supporters.
Full Time Penwortham St Teresas Blues 1 Ladybridge Pumas 3
Pumas safely negotiated a potentially tricky debut in the Premier Division. This wasn't their most fluent performance and the lads were probably understandably a bit nervous with the big build up to this game and the weight of expectation on their shoulders. However, a win's a win and this is a great start to the season proper. Hopefully the lads can now relax and enjoy their football in this league in front of their ever growing band of supporters.
