14/10/2024
Congratulations to our Puma Ladies for their tough game against TD Sirens yesterday with a 2-0 victory!
Check out the full match report…
An energised Pumas took on top of the table TD Sirens in a tough game which required maximum effort from the entire team.
Feeling good off the back of their 5-0 win against Womble Dons (which this reporter had meant to write up (sorry)... for the record, a hat-trick from Amy and a brace for Becky) the team were clearly hoping to channel that positivity against a TD Sirens who had themselves won their first game 8-0!
It was a solid defensive game from start to finish, but it's fair to say that the first half lacked the normal Pumas attacking flair. Sirens got the rub of the ball for most of the first 30, with Pumas looking a little sluggish without the ball and not quite communicating enough to get the push
forward to strike, playing back and off right allowing Sirens to play up the left and take several attempts, only narrowly missing the net.
Sirens had the majority of the chances of the first half and it fell to Charlotte and the rotation of Virginia, Grace and Jess in defence as well as the gloves of Lorraine to keep the ball out of the net. Indeed Lorraine, returning after the cracked ribs in our pre-season friendly, clearly arrived to Surbiton having picked up some sort of Super powers post injury, Managing one of the strongest displays in goal this reporter has seen since joining the sidelines of the fans!
Despite their best efforts, Sirens could probably feel more than a little aggrieved that half time came with a 0-0 scoreline as
they had pressed into the Pumas half with aggression and skill several times.
I can only assume something was said at half time (or perhaps it was the result of much needed energy from the half time oranges), but the Pumas looked like a completely different side in the second half. Having had just a single shot from Amy in the first 30, the third quarter saw a much Improved attack which when coupled with the continuing strength of defense, meant that many more attempts were possible.
Whilst Sirens still made the team work, linking play was better, communication improved and there was a lot more desire.
With a change in goalkeeper for Sirens and a move around therefore of the outfield
players it wasn't long before Davina managed to break the deadlock toward the end of the third quarter, a solid shot evading the keepers grasp and bouncing through her hands to give Pumas the lead, perhaps a little bit of luck some might say, but this reporter feels a just reward for a much improved attack and a terrific long range shot from Davina.
With the fourth quarter came some very nervy supporters as Sirens made life very difficult for Pumas. Indeed, several chances for them went a wanting much to their annoyance, but again all of those solidly put behind by the safe safe gloves of Lorraine, or the solid defensive line.
Time moving extra slowly from the sidelines, it seemed as though Pumas were destined to concede as each Sirens
attempt was met with eyes behind hands. However a goal kick from Pumas taken by Charlotte, found Amy who managed to turn Heel through the Siren defense and shoot to the relieved cheers of the travelling fans.
At the final whistle you'd think Pumas had won a cup the way they celebrated, but much like the fans this was a celebration acknowledging the tough game that could have gone either way but rather resulted in a hard fought victory, which puts Pumas top of the table after 2 games!
This may not have been the most fluid of performances, but it was a ground out win where each and every team member played their role, and whilst the full range of emotions was experienced from the sidelines, it's fair to say the celebration was deserved.
Player of the Match, for her superb skills in the net was Lorraine "Wonder Woman" Simpkin!
Special mention to Ball Boy extraordinare Thomas, who must have run the equivalent length of the pitch at least thrice getting the ball.
