A most enjoyable game...

The rain gods kindly postponed the threatened deluge from the west as Pumas kicked off on the wet, but well grassed Emsworth Recreation ground. Early exchanges were contained in midfield with strong tackles and no team giving any quarter nor indeed, winning prolonged periods of possession.

However, Pumas began to gain momentum, and Jamie LIGHT won a penalty when he was upended when driving into the penalty area on the left side. The midfielder picked himself up and planted a firm shot into the left corner of the home goal. Emsworth stung by the reverse pushed forward and Williams defended strongly pushing a contested ball away for a corner. The corner was easily cleared but a second Emsworth corner was headed narrowly wide by a home forward. Bruno was next in line to make a firm challenge to deny an onrushing Emsworth forward in the visitor’s penalty area.

Half time: Emsworth 0 – Pumas 1

Rain clouds were noticeably prominent as the second half got underway with the Pumas anxious to add to their goal tally. Early action saw Corcoran float a ball into the six yard box after being brought down near the corner flag. The ball was well met by Rawlings who saw his firm header well saved. However the visitors increased their lead when DAVEY won the ball on the left and an early shot was not held by the keeper and spun over the line. Pumas were noticeably gaining in confidence and playing neat football, with McMillan and Miller wining 50-50 challenges. The pressure continued, and a free kick from the Pumas left was pushed away by the defence, but fell invitingly to LIGHT who smashed the ball into the net. 0-3

The threatened rain now began to fall, but attention soon returned to the game as pressure on the left side of the home defence gained reward as a further free kick was not taken by the keeper and DAVEY utilised his strength to force the ball home. Crofton were now noticeably the fitter side, and a contested ball was well won in midfield by Light who then picked out CORCORAN with a fine diagonal pass. The midfielder drove onto towards goal and hammered a firm shot into the right side of the home goal. 0-5

The contest was being now being interrupted more frequently by the referees whistle with strong challenges being identified as transgressions. One such challenge inside the visitor’s box saw the home side awarded a penalty kick. Pumas Harris motivated himself to preserve his clean sheet however, he was only required to turn and run away after the ball as the home striker screwed the kick horribly wide of the left had post!

Pumas restored their territorial advantage in the home half and another superb ball from Light again combined with a Corcoran run on the right. The Midfielder struck a hard shot from a tight angle, watching the keeper push away the shot which was keenly collected by WAKE who arrowed the loose home.

Shortly afterwards the referee brought the enjoyable game to an end - reflecting a well deserved win for the visitors.

Final score: Emsworth Town 0 Crofton Pumas 6