Pumas had a full strength squad and the starting line up was Conor, Caleb, Callum, Sam, Lewis, Ben, Matt, Robert, Dion, Tyler, and Jack with Elliot, Tom and Eddie standing by as subs.
Pumas started the game kicking downhill and it would be important to take advantage of this. The first few minutes were scrappy as both sides struggled to string together more than a couple of passes on this heavy, bumpy surface. It soon became apparent that Pumas were the stronger side as they dominated possession. Tyler broke through the centre and saw his shot well saved. A corner from the right was placed by Jack into the heart of the goalmouth and as it was half cleared Caleb was there to hit a signature shot which again tested the keeper. More corners for Pumas followed in quick succession and from the 6th one Jack played the ball short to Matt (playing his first game since his op.) who returned it to Jack whose accurate cross was powerfully headed home by Lewis after 8 mins. 0 - 1
Villa were struggling to get any meaningful possession in Pumas half and the occasional breakaways were dealt with comfortably by Sam, Callum and Caleb who looked rock solid. After 17 mins a rare Villa attack was broken up by Callum assisted by Caleb who hit a long ball downfield where Dion used his speed to beat a defender to the ball before coolly taking it round the advancing keeper and tapping into an empty net. 0 - 2
From the kick off Pumas gained possession and immediately went on the attack again with several players combining in a great move culminating in Tyler turning beautifully just inside the area and firing home an unstoppable shot. 0 - 3
Jack was rampant down the left wing with support from Matt, creating some great openings but the Villa defence were beginning to look better organised and were covering well. Robert was also showing his dribbling skills on the other wing. Ben and Lewis were looking strong and linked well between defence and attack without being given time to settle on the ball. After 21 mins Villa attacked down the right flank and the winger managed to get his cross in to the waiting forward who hit it first time past Conor as he came out. This was Conor's first touch of the ball as he picked it out of the net! 1 - 3
The remainder of the half saw some end to end stuff with several more chances falling to Pumas, the most notable being a powerful shot by Sam just wide and a good effort from Robert which was bravely blocked just before the whistle.
Half time 1 - 3
All three subs were brought on and Robert, Matt and Tyler were given a rest.
It was to be expected that Villa would come out with all guns firing in the 2nd half with the advantage of the slope but that didn't happen and Pumas continued to enjoy the majority of the ball. It helped their passing game that the ball wasn't running away from them and they rarely looked in trouble. Several promising attacks were made and Dion took a quick short corner to Jack whose great cross was met by Lewis who blasted over the bar from 6 yards. Tom made a good run down the left and fed the ball to Ben who slipped the ball deftly past the keeper's left hand only to see it hit the post and bounce into the keeper's welcome arms. After 45mins Villa made a dangerous looking break down the left from which a cross cum shot was fingertip saved by Conor who had quickly come off his line. The loose ball was safely put out of play by Sam and the resultant corner was weakly played behind making Jack's corners look even better. A quick break by Pumas gave Jack what seemed to be a golden chance but he was surprisingly ruled off-side. Then Villa broke and a dangerous looking situation was dealt with by Conor rushing 30 yards out to kick the ball into touch. Sam looks hungry to bag his first goal of the season and he made a fantastic solo dribbling run, beating several defenders before shooting agonisingly just wide. Villa's goal kick was weak as they tired and Dion collected the ball before cleverly passing to Eddie whose shot from 8 yards beat the keeper's right hand on 50 mins. 1 - 4
Pumas still had most of the ball and a good move down the right involving several players saw the ball come to Elliot whose snap shot hit the post and bounced to safety. As the clock ticked down a goalmouth scramble resulted in a chance for Eddie who tested the keeper again.
Final Score Euxton Villa 1 Ladybridge Pumas 4
This was a solid workmanlike performance from the Pumas who did what was necessary to achieve this result against a team who have had a long unbeaten run and on a pitch which made good football difficult.
