Under 10s League match.
At Middle school, Oundle.
Sat 14th September 2013, report by Daniel’s dad.
Oundle United 8, Park Farm Pumas Reds 0
Pumas squad:
2 Setch (GK), 3 Josh, 6 Lewis, 6 Roy, 7 Daniel, 8 Cian, 9 Alessio, 12 Jack

There was pre-match concern for Pumas, as their regular goalie, Ethan, was absent from the team; reportedly after an argument with a golf-club during the week. However the Reds’ coach, Kev, knows what makes a good keeper and his choice of Setch to pull on the gloves was more than justified. Owen was also absent and so Justin and Kev were left with one substitute on a heavy, rain-soaked pitch.

Pumas found themselves under pressure straight from kick-off, as a strict referee penalised Jack for a handball on the edge of their penalty area. Setch made one of several fine saves from the resulting free-kick, pushing the shot away for a corner and catching the following set piece.

Pumas were hoping to pick up where they left off last week, with some more attacking play. However this game was to prove a very different experience, against an Oundle team who have been playing competitive football together for a couple of years. Goals looked likely as soon as soon as they gained control of the ball and the opener came from a good pass into the smaller of the number 9s, who slotted past the Reds keeper.

The Pumas team struggled to keep possession of the ball from the restart and were soon 2-0 down, with the tall blond-haired number 9 for Oundle bagging the first of his four goals with a burst through the Pumas’ defence. Pumas kept up the effort, despite this set-back, with good clearances from Alessio and Cian from the numerous Oundle corners. However it was another solo effort from the skilful Oundle forward which resulted in goal number three.

Justin made his first and only substitution, swapping Josh for Roy in defence. Cian was being penned back out wide by the Oundle attacking play, but was still putting in a shift defensively, with some good strong tackling. Alessio was also full of running as Pumas worked hard to prevent the Oundle players settling on the ball. This pressure started to pay off, as a fine passing move in midfield resulted in Pumas’ first shot; a long-range effort from Cian. Shortly after Cian again teased the home defence and won a free-kick, which Jack struck firmly but wide.

Unfortunately shortly after this attack Cian received a whack on the leg from an Oundle defender and had to sit out the rest of the game. The tackle owed more to Cian’s trickery than any malice from the defender, but it meant that Pumas were now without any substitutes, with Josh coming back onto the field of play.

With Pumas starting to come back into the game Daniel produced a fine dribble and pass through midfield which nearly played Jack through onto goal. Oundle still looked very dangerous when they broke forward though and their fourth goal came courtesy of a tap-in at the back post following another strong run and shot from their blonde number 9. This signalled increased attacking play and possession from Oundle and goal number five was a cracking shot which pinged in off the bottom of the Puma’s goalie’s left hand post. The team from Fletton still refused to lie down however and Lewis produced a wonderful reverse ball out wide to nearly send Jack in on goal.

5-0 to Oundle at half-time.

The second-half started with some good counter attacking play from Pumas, Jack making a strong run down the wing and winning a corner. Oundle still dominated though and Pumas were finding it very tough to break out from a series of goal-kicks and throw-ins deep in their own half. The game was being played mostly out wide and Alessio and Daniel were running hard to contain the home side on the left. Roy and Josh were doing a fine job of keeping the middle of defence intact.
Pumas received another blow to their squad when Lewis had to retire from the field to accompany his friend Cian home. Cian was still in pain from the first half injury and this needed checking out at hospital. The Oundle United coach showed good sportsmanship in taking off one of his players to balance the game.

With the match now six-a-side and into the final ten minutes the play became more stretched, with opportunities for players to find more space. Oundle won another succession of corners and throw-ins near to Setch’s goal. The stand-in goalkeeper was excellent in dealing with some well taken set pieces, as were his defence, who kept excellent levels of concentration to clear their lines. Setch was arguably Pumas’ man of the match, a display highlighted by a triple block from one Oundle attack.

Oundle were finding their guest a tougher nut to crack in this second half and it required another exceptional strike to bring up their sixth goal: a pile-driver of a free-kick into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Setch should quickly forget goal number 7, a fumble which trickled between his legs. He then showed excellent attitude to regain his composure and make another good save minutes after this. Oundle made it 8-0 near the end, but only after more excellent commitment from the Pumas’ players; typified by a good piece of wing-play from Daniel, tying his opponent up in knots, before making the pass.

Each game in this league is going to be a massive learning curve for the fledgling Reds team. The players left Middle school playing fields knowing that there will be few tougher tests than they faced today.