South Rushden Pumas v Wellingborough Town – 31.10.09
 
Halloween provided the perfect opportunity for the Pumas to haunt their opposition and get a magic result (Sorry..) as they took on a successful Wellingborough Town team.
 
The match began with a Wellingborough kick off, and they immediately put the Pumas defence under intense pressure, within a few seconds they had scored from a good shot. Riley took the ball from the restart and managed to get a quick shot away, going close for the Pumas.
 
Wellingborough regained possession and quickly scored again. Seconds after that they robbed the Pumas of possession, and despite some good blocking from the ever dependable Callum, they put the ball in the back of the net. The Pumas seemed shell shocked – this could be a long match….
 
After another couple of goals for Wellingborough the Pumas started to see a bit more of the ball, but were unable to do anything useful with it as they continued to be overran in midfield by the physically strong Wellingborough players.
 
Wellingborough scored once more before half time and despite a bit of late attacking play from the Pumas, they were unable to decrease the deficit.
 
With half time over, the Pumas took to the pitch with a renewed confidence and started brightly. They were able to match Wellingborough for a few minutes and this seemed to unsettle a few of their players.
 
After an even battle for the first few minutes Wellingborough started to come out on top again and won a corner. After the customary goal mouth scramble the ball trickled over the line, with goal keeper Brett very unlucky not to stop it despite some heroics!
 
This ended the Pumas brief but impressive fight back and Wellingborough scored twice more in the final few minutes, and only some more great shot stopping from Brett stopping it from being more.
 
In the last seconds the Wellingborough keeper was forced into action and was able to make a good save – it definitely was not to be the Pumas day.
 
The match finished and although this had been a footballing lesson for the Pumas, they took it on the chin and were not to despondent in the full time team talk. Their enthusiasm is a real inspiration, and the success will come as they play together for longer. Let’s just hope we get a goal soon…