It's been a tough run to the Peterborough Junior Alliance League Cup final for our U14 Reds. If they are lucky enough to bring silverware back again this season, the lads will have done it by playing the best teams in the draw.

A bye in the first round saw Pumas paired up in an away game against a strong Thurlby side from the division below. On a slightly boggy pitch, our lads managed to get passed a good footballing Thurlby side with a 3-2 win.

This moved the lads onto a game against our friends and Div 1 league leaders from Yaxley. Pumas had a home draw but were up against it with some injuries and players who were unavailable. We managed to edge a nervy encounter that went back and forth. Pumas came out winners in that game, again with a 3-2 scoreline.

That gave us a home tie against Deeping Rangers Clarets, who are also chasing the PJAl Div 1 title. In a topsy-turvy game, the quality of football from both sides was a little bit lacking, probably due to semi-final jitters. But the show of heart, determination, and passion from Pumas was fantastic!

The first goal had come from some good work on the left side from Daniel and then the ball eventually broke to Dexter, who was super advanced from his right-back role but managed to strike the ball home through the crowd.

The lads went in a halftime 1-1 and felt disappointed as we hadn’t been able to play our normal, free-flowing football, but we knew the game was there for us if we had the belief to go and grab it.

Sure enough, we did! – the game turned on a goal that would have graced any professional cup semi-final anywhere in the world. Malamine latched onto a breaking ball in the midfield, 30 yards from goal and he struck the ball with such ferocity that it flew like a bullet straight into the top left corner. The Deeping keeper had no chance.

Although Deeping came back through another mini error at the back from Pumas Malamine again made the difference with a mazy run, having now been switched from right to left. He took on 4 or 5 players, managed to get a fortunate ricochet (which was just reward for his confidence) and the ball fell lovely for him to slot home past the outstretched hand of the Deeping keeper.

From there Pumas managed the game out with a few more attacks and some mindful holding of positions. Then came the final whistle – Pumas are in the FINAL!!!!

A great result for us and our 2nd final in 2 seasons. Fingers crossed for the same result!

#GO PUMAS