3-2 win v West Pennant Hills

Scorers: Erik, Robbo, Smitty

When you hand over your fees at the beginning of the season, these are the games that you pay for. Up against the number 2 team, we knew it would be our toughest test. With Ranga out, and Clayts doubtful, our depth was going to be tested. Late arrivals didn’t help, forcing Clayts to take the field with Windy and Baz underestimating the remoteness of Arcadia Park. We had 11 to start though, and got off to a good start when Erik fired in a free kick from 5 outside the box. The Lions responded though, with an absolute cracker that gave Az no chance. Clayts and Kyle then both went down with injuries, luckily Windy and Baz were there to cover, with only 11 though we knew it would be a long match. Another attacking run down the right from Dimo and Robbo got us another free kick. Erik stepped us and with his left foot this time forced a save, which Robbo easily cleaned up to again put us in front.

A real tussle after halftime, with the Lions getting the better of play. Smitty was at his usual terrier best, turning over a ball in the box, however Erik fired at the only defender on the line and Southy’s follow up went high. Some great defense from Baz including a goal line clearance after Az and Dru were both beaten was a highlight, but eventually the Lions made pressure pay with the equalizer 15 from time. Dead on our feet, we were wondering if we’d let our chance slip. However, Dimo and Robbo continued to dominate the right, both having A-class games. With 10 to go, Robbo set Dimo loose again, with Dimo’s cross finding Smitty on the far post to nod home the lead taker. Happy does not begin to describe it. Creagles finished the game off with some great screening as the Pumas held on to our best win, putting us 2 games free at the top before our mass exodus overseas. The boys all had a great time, with the Lions playing good, fast, clean soccer. Would that all the teams in our comp were like them.

MoTM: Robbo. Not only scored, but had his best match by far, being our target man and unleashing Dimo again and again. Probably the only reason we stayed competitive in the second half.

5-2 win v Redfield Lions

SCORERS: Fish, Harry, Matt Fawcett, Mark Ezzy, Matt Pittman

Not often we do a match report (well, never in fact) but felt today was the day it had to be done. We had a magnificent win over the undefeated Redfield Lions who today saw how Pumas can outrun and outplay a mean bunch of lions. There was much pushing and shoving (not from us I might add) but by far the best push was in front of the goal mouth when one of the Lions came rushing up behind Fishy – it looked like a push, the ref said it was a push, but the dive was something to behold – straight out of the World Cup! Well done Fishy – another goal for the Pumas. We were up 2 nil in the first half thanks to a couple of nice ones from Fishy and Harry and could hardly believe our luck – this is one of the top teams and we were all over them. Second half saw Matt F. put a neat one away during a bit of a melee in front of their goal that was followed up by another by Mark (The Penalty!) and one more by Matt P. for good measure. They did manage to put 2 away as well but thanks to the awesome goalkeeping skills of ‘Can’t Catch me out Karl’, they were really struggling. It was an awesome game to watch and the cheer squad was on fire! Great game guys!

2-0 win v Eastwood St Andrews Blue

Scorers: Poddy x2

Another win in the bag for the Pumas has us sitting pretty in pole position mid way through the season. We were a few short this week, with Rang, Creagles and Baz all out, so we called upon Fish and Poddy to fill in for us. Poddy proceeded to give the rest of the guys on the park a clinic on how to run hard and beat 2-3 players every time you get the ball, but he’s definitely not good enough for the Prems, so hands off Greg, we found him first. The first half was all Pumas, as we camped in the Woodies half, but were finding it difficult to get behind the deep set backline. Nevertheless, Poddy got his first with a piece of magic in the box after a great run, with the Woodies keeper keeping the rest of us honest.
Second half was much the same as the first, with the Woodies managing a couple of passes into our half as we tired and pushed up for more goals. However Az was never troubled, with only Kyle causing a stir when he unfairly used his neck to assault a Woody fist. Poor form. Yellow. Fine. Drop ball (?). The only other notable plays were Erik’s shooting skills and Poddy’s second, which was another good run and finish. Robbo, Dimo and Windy all stood up in the midfield, with the backline barely raising a sweat. All eyes are on our clash with the number 2 team West Penno Lions this weekend, with the boys looking to prove that Pumas are better soccer playing cats than Lions.

MOTM: Try and guess. The 16 year old whiz kid is on the way up.