Pumas Match Reports... 27-09-08 Pinewood Pumas 1 - 4 Binfield Buffalos Squad Ben K, Cameron T, Daniel C (C), Elliott C, Henry P, Matthew P, Sam C (GK) Samuel N, Tom Q Goal Henry P MOM Cameron Trower A chilly morning that, initially at least, refused to yield its blanket of mist to the inevitability of a classic Indian summer's day, matched both your reporter's inability to escape the grip of 'morning after' nausea and Pinewood Pumas' failure to emerge from a suffocating chrysalis of an early season crisis of confidence. The Pumas will take flight again and recapture some of the highs of last season, but some work needs to be done on the ground first. A positive opening against Binfield on Saturday, with Matthew prominent, was soon stifled by an unfortunate tangle of legs and intentions resulting in the opposition going one up. The Pumas' immediate response was again encouraging; Matthew had good effort saved after sterling work from Cameron, whilst a Robinho-esque run and cross from Ben K was almost converted in a marvellous scramble. But gradually, without the succour of a goal, the Pumas' grip on the game began to wane and, after a thumping effort hit the post, a Binfield striker rifled in the rebound with real precision - leaving Sam C in goal with no chance. The rest of the half saw further fine efforts from Matthew and Sam N, but these only punctuated sustained Binfield pressure. Tom remained admirably firm at the back, ably supported by Sam C between the sticks. Half time 0-2 to Binfield Shots on target - Pumas 3, Binfield 6 Shots off target - Pumas 1, Binfield 4 Corners - Pumas 4, Binfield 3 Half time team talk - sterling. The 2nd half saw the Pumas slowly feeling their way back into the game. The passing and movement was better than in the first half - if perhaps lacking the initial zip. Ben K prompted well from midfield and Elliott was always a willing runner - just failing to score after a mazy run at one point. But as with the first half, our inability to find the net was punished with a period of Binfield pressure  that culminated in Sam's goal being peppered and ultimately fully seasoned to make it 0-3. Heads dropped a little and despite strong breaks from Sam N and Elliott and great work from Daniel at the back, further Binfield attacks resulted, with the inevitability of a dodgy Old Trafford penalty, in a fourth goal. Nonetheless in the dying minutes Henry , having earlier been just unable to finish off some great approach work from Matthew, showed his sharpness by punishing an under hit  back pass from Binfield to roll in a consolation goal to the delight of the hordes on the Pinewood kop. Final score 1-4 to Binfield. The mist cleared, the hangover eased but, alas, the butterfly failed to emerge.  Shots on target (2nd half) - Pumas 1, Binfield 4 Shots off target - Pumas 2, Binfield 5 Corners - Pumas 2, Binfield 6 Man of the match: Cameron Trower. Anonymous supporter quote of the day: 3 times I honked in the loo - I felt like a teenager again !" Guesses on a postcard please. Sports Reporter: Carl Kemp   20-09-08 Pinewood Pumas 2 - 4 Burghfield Squad Ben J, Ben K (C), Cameron T, Elliott C, Henry P, Matthew P, Sam C (GK) Samuel N, Tom Q Pumas Debut Henry P Burghfield  Err, a familiar looking 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, Goals Elliott, Matthew MOM Matthew It was the Puma's first home game of the season and the sun came out to celebrate. After the Lion's last week it was the turn of the Burgers. The crowd built up as various age groups all seemed to be playing at the same time. They were entertained by the hilarious doesthatgothere game as volunteers were reunited with their own version of the krypton factor. With the goals up [somehow] the game got underway. The Puma's worked really hard and in the first quarter  Sam N and Cameron were on top in Midfield and helped create chances for the forwards. A great corner by Ben K caused problems in the Burgers goalmouth but the ball was scrambled away. Sam N put a great ball down the line to give Elliott the puma's first shot at goal. Then Elliott turned provider setting up debutant Henry who was just wide with his shot. Ben K's corners were causing problems but the team couldn't get the goal they deserved. The Burgers were kept quiet until the 15th minute and Sam C had to be quick to parry a good shot for a corner. The Burgers then unleashed their secret weapon which was a fantastic corner taking routine which saw the ball arrive head height in to the middle of the penalty area or in swinging on goal. Sam C and the defence coped but each one put the Puma's under pressure.. Another Sam C save was quickly sent down field and Tom had a great shot on goal. That was followed by a fierce shot by Ben K and after that a slide rule Ben J pass led to a great flick by Elliott which was pushed over the bar by the Burgers keeper GOAL. At last the Puma's were on the score sheet. Great work by Mathew and Ben J put through Elliott who finished like a vintage Alan Clark. More chances for Mathew, twice, Sam N and Cameron followed and before half time two more great corners from Ben K deserved converting. Half Time Puma's 1 Burghfield 0 The second half got underway and the Puma's deserved their lead. The Burgers who had been outplayed came out with two up front and started drilling long balls in to the Puma's penalty area which was easy given the size of the pitch. Sam C had to be alert twice in the first two minutes diving at the feet of one of the Burgers and parrying a long shot for a corner. From the corner the ball bobbled about in the penalty area and after what seemed an accidental collision between Sam C and a Puma defender the ball ran across goal and was tapped in from six inches to give the burgers an equaliser. Within five minutes the Puma's found themselves behind. Another great Burger corner was superbly headed in by the Burger's striker. The Puma's didn't give up. A great shot by Henry was followed by an in swinging corner from Ben K which bounced off the crossbar. Further good work from Cameron and Mathew who was having a blinder saw the burgers keeper have to work. The short pitch then again helped the burgers with a long clearance finding their striker in the Puma's area and he finished well with Sam C having no chance. As we entered the last 8 minutes Sam C had to make a great save when the Burgers striker tried to lob him from outside the area. From the corner though the ball bounced around the area and the Burgers forced in their fourth. The puma's still didn't give up and scored a deserved second goal after Elliott hit the post and Mathew followed up to lash in the rebound. The Puma's had more chances before the whistle with a great shot from Cameron which went just over the bar, another shot on target from Mathew and a good effort blocked from Ben K Final score Puma's 2 Burghfield 4 Elliott (16) Mathew (36) Man of the Match: Mathew Stats Pinewood Pumas Burghfield Corners (First Half) 8 4 Corners (Second Half) 2 9 Total 10 13        Free Kicks Conceded 2 0       Shots on goal (First Half) 4 2 Shots on goal (Second Half) 5 8 Total 9 10       Shots blocked/off target (First Half) 4 0 Shots blocked/off target (Second Half) 2 6 Total 6 6 Conditions Dry and sunny Pitch Too small, uneven goalmouth but nice to be home Crowd Behaviour Very supportive despite swarm of biting beasts Ref Watch Sports Reporter: Tim Cookson   13-09-08 Whitegrove Lions 3 - 0 Pinewood Pumas Squad Ben J (C), Ben K, Cameron T, Daniel C, Elliott C, Matthew P, Sam C (GK) Samuel N, Tom Q Pumas Debut Sam C (GK), Ben J (C) Whitegrove Lions Err, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 Goals MOM Sam C (GK) The Pumas started their first game of the season against the lions who had played last week whilst the Puma's game had been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The Puma's started brightly and put the Lion's under pressure from the start. After 3 mins and whilst the parents were still trying to work out what the blue thing was up in the sky Ben K sent a rasping fee kick goalwards only for it to be deflected at the last second. The Pumas had three quick corners and each resulted in goalmouth scrambles with Mathew, Elliott and Daniel having shots blocked. Neat passing through the midfield put Mathew through and his cross shot went right across goal. The Lion's were relying on the quick breaks as we pushed forward and Sam C had to make two saves as pace got the lions in to attacking positions. Back came the Pumas and Ben K put through Elliott who's shot was just wide. More shots from Elliott, Daniel, Cameron and Tom all went close. Then on 10 mins a long ball from the Lions defence found their striker who raced on to the ball and scored a fine goal. It was totally against the run of play and the Puma's rallied to force more pressure on the Lion's defence for the rest of the first half. More corners with great delivery from Ben K and more shots from Ben J Elliott and Cameron but all to no avail. Half Time Puma's 0 Lions 1 The Puma's had put a lot of effort in to the first half and it began to show with the Lions pushing forward and putting the Puma's goal under siege. Sam C made two great saves before a third was parried to the Lions striker to put the Lion's two up. Now it was the time for the Puma's to play on the break and a nailed on penalty was turned down as a Cameron shot was handled by the Lion's defence. Sam C again denied the Lions a third goal with shots coming in from all over as the Lion's exploited the tiring Puma's. Still the Puma's tried and only a headed clearance by the Lion's defender prevented Ben J's great shot going in after good work from Ben K and Daniel. The Lions finally scored a third after a great save by Sam C led to a scramble and the ball being poked over the line Still the Puma's kept trying and a great run in to the box by Mathew in the last minute led to a great cross which fizzed across the goal. Final score Puma's 0 Lions 3 Stats Pinewood Pumas Whitegrove Lions Corners (First Half) 7 1 Corners (Second Half) 2 6 Total 9 7        Free Kicks Conceded 3 3       Shots on goal (First Half) 3 3 Shots on goal (Second Half) 3 8 Total 6 11       Shots blocked/off target (First Half) 8 1 Shots blocked/off target (Second Half) 4 7 Total 12 8 Conditions Erily dry Pitch Heavy, long grass and big Crowd Behaviour Very supportive Ref Watch Missed a blatant penalty  Sports Reporter: Tim Cookson