Top of the Table Clash ends in defeat.

After last weeks brilliant but unlucky performance, the boys wanted to go out today and cement their spot at the top of the table against the Pumas.

In the last game between the 2 it was a contentious score so the boys were trying to right the wrongs and go all for the win.

With a fairly strong lineup on both sides, Ethan came in at RB next to Toby and Dean, Lathir in goal for us, Lewis, Jack, Dorian and Stephen held the midfield and then Sam, Stanley S and Kieron up top.

Starting on the back foot, Pumas kept the ball well and looked to play it around the back before looking for the long ball over the top to the Striker who is top scorer in the league.

Dean did well to cover the first few times but it was 3 minutes in and another ball over the top to their left winger who took it down and lofted a cross into their striker who tucked it into the goal. 0-1

The boys don't normally start this slow so it was interesting to see how they would reply.

Within 2 minutes, we had that reply. From a well defended corner, the ball was played out towards Lewis, Who knocked it into Dorian. Dorian beat his man before playing a fantastic pass into the path of Sam.
Sam who was playing on one hamstring burst through and beat the cb to the ball before getting into a fantastic position on the edge of the area and finishing calmly past the keeper into the far corner. 1-1

From here the game went into a real battle across the pitch with tackles going in and both teams basically cancelling each other out. Dorian had a few chances and went close but Puma's also hit the bar.

Just after 30 minutes, Kieron won the ball on the half way line and went on one of his mazy runs beating several players before working his way into the box. As he got into a shooting position, the defender came sliding in through the side and didn't get any of the ball. Penalty to TD.

The boys were very clear that they wanted Stanley Passmore to take it for his first game for the team. Stan stepped up and blasted it down the middle- 2-1.

HT - TD - 2 - PUMA'S -1

At the half, Nigel and Darren got the boys talking and ready to go again for the second half. Bringing on Harry for Stanley Smith, Cam had come in for Ethan and Sam had come off in the first half with a bad leg.

Within the first 10 mins of the second half, Pumas started on the front foot and got the equaliser through some good play and overload on the left side finishing past Lathir.

Lathir had been brilliant pulling off saves and sweeping up any back passes too.

A few minutes later, it was like a copy and paste with the left sided overload from Puma's and some good play on the edge of the area to get it to the winger who had a 1 on 1 chance and slotted it just past the keeper.

Shortly after from a throw, the ball came in and the player turned and tried to cross however Cam's hand was high and away from the body and a penalty was given.

The Puma's player went to the right and Lathir did so well to just get a hand on it but the power took it past him. 2-4

The boy's heads had dropped a bit, Mase and George came on for Stephen and Dean respectively and Sam came back on for Jack.

We pushed and pushed but puma's were winning the little tackles and in midfield were strong before pinging it over the top trying to cause issues.

Sam, on one leg again, went on a mazy run flying down the right before beating his man and the keeper, hitting the ball across the goal and as it hit the inside of the post, Kieron came in to finish it and make sure it counted. 3-4

With a lot of time being wasted for shoelaces, goalkicks and subs, the clock still had 2 minutes left and the boys went for it to get the equaliser. A few close chances and a corner that went close but the whistle went and a tough one to take.

FT- TD - 3 - Puma's - 4

A close game throughout with both teams going all out to win the match. Both deserve to be up the top of the table and it will be an interesting finish to the season.

MOTM- Sam Roadley - Gutsy performance from Sam who wanted to play with a injury. Scored one and set up another, great running and didn't give up.

Onto the Next game- Home against Gamechangers and a must win! It will be great to see how these boys respond to the last 2 games. A special group of boys and i know they will continue to surprise us.