Blackstones JFC U12 v PARK FARM PUMAS BLACK U12

October 16, 2016 (Sunday)
BLACKSTONES JFC 3
PARK FARM PUMAS BLACK 2

Park Farm Pumas were undeserving of a defeat away to Blackstones in a game they dominated and were the better side. A fact acknowledged by Blackstones’ coaches after a five-goal game that was played, for the most part, in heavy rain.
Right from the kick off Pumas were on the front foot with Tai going close with a low right foot shot from Christian’s pass but Tai’s effort was just off target. In the heavy conditions Pumas played the better football with team working together although getting use to how the ball played as well as misleading white lines that marked a smaller pitch. Josh on one occasion thought he’d won a throw-in. Luckily Sam was on hand to tidy up.
Pumas build up play was proving difficult for their opponents. Eduardo and Tai were an effective midfield partnership providing distribution and a change of pace. It was their work that released the pace on the flanks from Jacob and Stevie. Jacob went close with a cross-cum-shot that was narrowly wide of the far left post.
Sometimes the conditions were an unquestionable hindrance. Eduardo tried to unleashed a powerful right foot shot from the edge of the area after Jacob perfectly teed up the chance. Unfortunately, Eduardo slipped and his shot went well wide. One penalty area – which Pumas were attacking in the first half – had pools of water and heavy mud running down the middle of it. On the stroke of half-time Eduardo set up Tai to shoot. The ball hit the goalkeeper and stuck in the mud allowing Blackstones to clear.
By then, totally against the run of play the home side had taken a two-goal lead. The first goal, in the 15th minute, saw Jack lobbed as he was faced with a one-on-one after a well-timed run by a Blackstones attacker. The second goal, in the 24th minute, after Josh was penalised. The long distance shot went over the Pumas three-man wall and hit the far right post giving Jack no chance as it ended up in the net.
It could have potentially been worse but Josh cleared a near post header off the line while Jack made a superb save from another Blackstones shot.
The score line was misleading. Pumas had the majority of the play. Josh, Sam and Curran been largely disciplined at the back – which wasn’t easy in the conditions. Jack had been confident in collecting and clearing the ball when his sweeper skills were needed. Eduardo and Tai were the team’s engine. Stevie and Jacob had caused problems down the flanks and Christian had pressured the defenders and linked well with midfield and wingers.
The second-half was much the same but Pumas couldn’t find a break through. In the 39th minute, Pumas made a triple substitution. Connor, Fernando and Skye came on for Stevie, Curran and Christian respectively gave the team the benefit of their fresh legs. Skye dropped into his familiar defensive midfield role allowing Eduardo to take on more attacking responsibilities and Tai went to centre forward.
Immediately, Connor was battling and pressuring on the left wing and Fernando proved formidable at left back while Skye brought strength in front of the back three.
Pumas instigated a new wave of attacks with Jacob firing over the crossbar after Tai and Eduardo combined.
Then came some sublime team play that ended with frustration of a golden chance missed. Skye won the ball in midfield and laid it off to Tai. Tai, under pressure, tried to turn but couldn’t but instead fed the ball to Jacob who played the most exquisite of right wing crosses to the far left post where Connor, at close range and the goal at his mercy, didn’t connect properly and ball went wide of the left post.
Moments later Eduardo was through on goal but was narrowly caught offside. Then finally, Pumas got the goals they deserved. Jacob’s trademark run in from the right and angled right foot shot into net halved the deficit. Moments later, Connor, under pressure, kept his head inside the area to play a perfect simple square pass for Eduardo to shoot home.
The teamwork paid off but solo play not so much. Jacob was proving a relentless threat down the right. He did put in a couple more angled shots that went wide of the left post. Equally, he also began to overstretch himself by taking on too many players inside the area when a ball across goal to his unmarked team-mates were better options.
It had been hard work but Pumas were deservedly level. Then the conditions played a cruel trick on the team that was to cost them the game. Pumas were now defending the puddled, muddy penalty area.
The ball came into the area goalkeeper Jack went to grab it. The wet, slippery ball spilled from his grasp. A Blackstones attacker pounced and squared the ball for a teammate to net. Josh and Sam’s attempts to provide a cover were thwarted as the thick mud sucked on their boots and they couldn’t escape quick enough. It was an unlucky goal to concede.
Over the last two games Pumas have played the top two teams in the league and for a game and a half have been more than equal and it seems unfair that they were defeated by both. But to reiterate last week’s message, the team should fear no one and the right results will come.

Match Stats Black Pumas
Goal Attempts On Target 5 3
Goal Attempts Off Target 3 9
Corners 3 5
Offsides Against 3 4

PJAL TABLE
Pos Team P W D L Pts
1 Malborne United 5 5 0 0 15
2 Blackstones JFC 4 4 0 0 12
3 Park Farm Pumas Blue 5 3 1 1 10
4 Spalding United Orange 4 3 0 1 9
5 Park Farm Pumas Black 5 1 2 2 5
6 Netherton United Vultures 4 1 0 3 3
7 Boston United Girls 4 0 1 3 1
8 Gunthorpe Harriers Navy 4 0 1 3 1
9 Parkside Athletic U12 5 0 1 4 1

Other Results (October 16)
Boston United Girls 1 Malborne United 15; Gunthorpe Harriers Navy 1 Parkside Athletic 1;
Netherton United 2 Park Farm Pumas Blue 4.

2016-17 Appearances
GP Positions
Christian 6 CF/CM/LM
Connor 1 (3) LM
Curran 5 RB/LB
Eduardo 5 AM/DM/CF/LM
Fernando (4) DM/LB
Jack 6 GK
Jacob 6 RM/CF/LM
Josh 6 CB/RB
Sam 6 CM/CB
Skye 2 (4) RB/DM
Stevie 4 (1) LM/RM
Tai 4 CM/CF

Goalscorers
7 – Jacob
6 – Tai
3 – Christian, Eduardo
2 – Stevie
1 – Skye