This was the most eagerly awaited game so far this season between the two undefeated table-toppers. Could Pumas' solid defence (4 goals conceded in 3 games) hold out against BAC's prolific attack (21 goals scored in 3 games)? A good crowd turned out on a cold autumn morning to watch this intriguing encounter.
Pumas had a full strength squad with Tyler back from injury and the starting line up was:- Conor, Caleb, Matt, Callum, Sam, Ben, Lewis, Robert, Jack, Dion and Tyler. Eddie, Tom and Elliot were on the bench at the start.
The first half started with Pumas playing up the slight slope and the early exchanges were a bit scrappy. Ben looked dominant in mid-field and after 4mins he fed a lovely ball through to Robert on the right wing which BAC's defence did well to smother. Then Robert and Dion combined well on the right flank to force a corner taken expertly by Jack who has the ability to put the ball in the danger zone every time. After 6mins Dion was released by a great through ball from Lewis and he used his pace to beat the challenging defender but his shot went just wide. BAC weren't able to put any meaningful attacks together until after 8mins they broke down the left and the cross bounced dangerously in the Pumas penalty area and Sam had to be alert to block a powerful shot. Then seconds later BAC attacked again, this time down the right and a powerful low shot found the corner of Conor's net. 0-1.
Pumas responded positively to this set-back and played with great determination, winning most of the 50/50 challenges and working hard in every position. Tyler put pressure on BAC in their own area and skilfully set up a chance for Jack who coolly found the net after 10mins. 1-1.
Matt was busy on the left side of the pitch and was called into action to make a goal-line clearance following a BAC free kick from near the centre line. After 15mins Ben won the ball in mid-field and slotted a beautifully weighted through ball to Dion whose speed again beat the defence but the final shot was a carbon copy of his earlier attempt and went the wrong side of the post. BAC won a corner on the right which was delivered into the danger area but good work by Callum gave Matt the chance to run down the left wing and show his skills. Tyler was giving the BAC defenders a hard time and they couldn't deal with his speed and dribbling skills. After 21mins he kept possession on the BAC goal line and delivered a great pass from the left to Dion who prodded the ball home gratefully. 2-1.
Pumas were looking good at this point and were just about edging possession but BAC looked dangerous on the break and Caleb and Sam in particular had to defend desperately at times. One such break by BAC resulted in a powerful shot going just wide after 24mins and then 2mins later we saw a moment of sublime skill from a BAC forward when he took the ball on the edge of the Pumas area and in one fluid movement turned, controlled the ball and smashed it past Conor's diving fingertips. 2-2.
The final action of the first half saw Robert release Dion down the right from where, under great pressure he managed to get the ball to Tyler on the penalty spot but the defenders closed him down before he could shoot. HT 2-2.
In the second half Pumas had the advantage of the slight downhill slope and right from the kick off they played the best football of the game. Their passing and movement off the ball were excellent with the whole team contributing and working hard. This paid off after only 2mins when Robert kept possession on the right wing before turning the ball inside to Dion whose long range, high looping shot gave the keeper no chance. 3-2.
After 6mins the ball broke from the right to find Jack in space but his shot went just wide. Lewis was catching the eye with some solid work in mid-field and Sam was heavily involved, breaking up attack after attack with his trademark beautifully timed tackles and powerful heading ability. Callum and Ben were also heavily involved and were effectively controlling midfield. After 11mins Dion bravely went for a 50/50 ball and picked up a painful shin injury which meant he couldn't continue. This prompted a spurt of changes with Elliot, Tom and Eddie coming on for Dion, Matt and Robert. This could have upset Pumas rhythm but in fact they continued just as before with Jack especially rising to the occasion. He was like a terrier and his work rate and energy helped to set up several chances for himself and others.
Eddie and Elliot were also combining well down the right and forced a good save from the BAC keeper. Tom was looking comfortable at left back and after breaking up a potentially dangerous attack he fed Tyler with a good through ball which the BAC keeper had to be quick to smother. He was again called into action when Jack, having won two challenges, gave the ball to Tyler on the edge of the area. Eddie made a good run down the right and passed to Jack who crossed superbly for Elliot to head just wide. Then after 27mins Elliot reciprocated and delivered a lovely cross to Jack who saw his shot go agonisingly over the bar. With the clock ticking down to full time Pumas won three successive corners on the right each one delivered perfectly by Jack and keeping the BAC's backs under pressure. The final corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble ending in a goal kick.
Full time Ladybridge Pumas 3 BAC/EE Preston 2
The game lived up to the hype and was a great advertisement for junior football. Players on both teams showed skill, speed, courage, fitness and commitment and can be proud of their conduct. I imagine that BAC will be itching to play us at their place and unfortunately we remain in 2nd place due to Bamber Bridge's superior goal difference. This was Pumas first home game in the Premier League campaign and will be followed by several more consecutive home league fixtures. If the boys continue to work hard for each other like they did today it's hard to see anyone stopping them. Well done Pumas.
Pumas had a full strength squad with Tyler back from injury and the starting line up was:- Conor, Caleb, Matt, Callum, Sam, Ben, Lewis, Robert, Jack, Dion and Tyler. Eddie, Tom and Elliot were on the bench at the start.
The first half started with Pumas playing up the slight slope and the early exchanges were a bit scrappy. Ben looked dominant in mid-field and after 4mins he fed a lovely ball through to Robert on the right wing which BAC's defence did well to smother. Then Robert and Dion combined well on the right flank to force a corner taken expertly by Jack who has the ability to put the ball in the danger zone every time. After 6mins Dion was released by a great through ball from Lewis and he used his pace to beat the challenging defender but his shot went just wide. BAC weren't able to put any meaningful attacks together until after 8mins they broke down the left and the cross bounced dangerously in the Pumas penalty area and Sam had to be alert to block a powerful shot. Then seconds later BAC attacked again, this time down the right and a powerful low shot found the corner of Conor's net. 0-1.
Pumas responded positively to this set-back and played with great determination, winning most of the 50/50 challenges and working hard in every position. Tyler put pressure on BAC in their own area and skilfully set up a chance for Jack who coolly found the net after 10mins. 1-1.
Matt was busy on the left side of the pitch and was called into action to make a goal-line clearance following a BAC free kick from near the centre line. After 15mins Ben won the ball in mid-field and slotted a beautifully weighted through ball to Dion whose speed again beat the defence but the final shot was a carbon copy of his earlier attempt and went the wrong side of the post. BAC won a corner on the right which was delivered into the danger area but good work by Callum gave Matt the chance to run down the left wing and show his skills. Tyler was giving the BAC defenders a hard time and they couldn't deal with his speed and dribbling skills. After 21mins he kept possession on the BAC goal line and delivered a great pass from the left to Dion who prodded the ball home gratefully. 2-1.
Pumas were looking good at this point and were just about edging possession but BAC looked dangerous on the break and Caleb and Sam in particular had to defend desperately at times. One such break by BAC resulted in a powerful shot going just wide after 24mins and then 2mins later we saw a moment of sublime skill from a BAC forward when he took the ball on the edge of the Pumas area and in one fluid movement turned, controlled the ball and smashed it past Conor's diving fingertips. 2-2.
The final action of the first half saw Robert release Dion down the right from where, under great pressure he managed to get the ball to Tyler on the penalty spot but the defenders closed him down before he could shoot. HT 2-2.
In the second half Pumas had the advantage of the slight downhill slope and right from the kick off they played the best football of the game. Their passing and movement off the ball were excellent with the whole team contributing and working hard. This paid off after only 2mins when Robert kept possession on the right wing before turning the ball inside to Dion whose long range, high looping shot gave the keeper no chance. 3-2.
After 6mins the ball broke from the right to find Jack in space but his shot went just wide. Lewis was catching the eye with some solid work in mid-field and Sam was heavily involved, breaking up attack after attack with his trademark beautifully timed tackles and powerful heading ability. Callum and Ben were also heavily involved and were effectively controlling midfield. After 11mins Dion bravely went for a 50/50 ball and picked up a painful shin injury which meant he couldn't continue. This prompted a spurt of changes with Elliot, Tom and Eddie coming on for Dion, Matt and Robert. This could have upset Pumas rhythm but in fact they continued just as before with Jack especially rising to the occasion. He was like a terrier and his work rate and energy helped to set up several chances for himself and others.
Eddie and Elliot were also combining well down the right and forced a good save from the BAC keeper. Tom was looking comfortable at left back and after breaking up a potentially dangerous attack he fed Tyler with a good through ball which the BAC keeper had to be quick to smother. He was again called into action when Jack, having won two challenges, gave the ball to Tyler on the edge of the area. Eddie made a good run down the right and passed to Jack who crossed superbly for Elliot to head just wide. Then after 27mins Elliot reciprocated and delivered a lovely cross to Jack who saw his shot go agonisingly over the bar. With the clock ticking down to full time Pumas won three successive corners on the right each one delivered perfectly by Jack and keeping the BAC's backs under pressure. The final corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble ending in a goal kick.
Full time Ladybridge Pumas 3 BAC/EE Preston 2
The game lived up to the hype and was a great advertisement for junior football. Players on both teams showed skill, speed, courage, fitness and commitment and can be proud of their conduct. I imagine that BAC will be itching to play us at their place and unfortunately we remain in 2nd place due to Bamber Bridge's superior goal difference. This was Pumas first home game in the Premier League campaign and will be followed by several more consecutive home league fixtures. If the boys continue to work hard for each other like they did today it's hard to see anyone stopping them. Well done Pumas.
