It was back to league business for the u13’s today and they welcomed Livingston Hearts CFC to Pumpherston Park.
The first 15 minutes of this game sees both teams evenly matched in a midfield battle to gain control of the game, Craig drops back to play just in front of the back four from the packed midfield to start finding some width by playing the two wingers into the game and start to stretch the Livi defense and pressure their goalkeeper.
This leads to the first goal of the game and it came for Pumpherston, Some strong running through the middle from Nathan and with good close control he eases passed the Livi defense and a coolly angled his shot passed the keeper that puts Pumphy 1-0 up,
The hard work being put in by the boys and are becoming more aware of their own positional play and supporting the player on the ball creates some great passages of play for Pumphy. Another run from Nathan into the box sees him fouled and from the penalty Craig continues his fine scoring form and his shot hits the back of the net for his first of two goals for the day.
However the goal of the half must go to Callum a sweetly struck overhead volley from 15 yards beating the outstretched hand of the Livi keeper to drop in just under the bar.
It wasn’t all one way traffic for Pumpherston with Ryan & Scott developing their central defensive partnership to keep the Pumphy defense focused and working hard to nullifying the Livi strikers threat on goal and Shaun clearing any danger when required.
As the first half draws to a close Pumpherston’s Nathan is rewarded for his hard work to beat the offside trap and neatly lob the Livi goalie also on the score sheet for the first half is Anthony that continues his scoring run from last week
Half time 5-0
The 2nd half starts with Pumpherston playing against the wind and the hard work starts all over regaining control of the game, a mention for the latest additions to the team Grant , Nathan and Corrie who are starting to settle into the team and are welcome additions.
With the ball holding up in the wind the team bring the ball down play balls into the feet of the wingers Jason & Kieran with some success in breaking through the well organised Livingston defense with Pumphy increasing the lead through Anthony, Craig , Ryan, Jacob and Callum.
With the hard work being done in each half the substitutes played their part in the game also keeping much of the play in the Livi half. A change that seen Marc playing an unfamiliar role up front sees his first shot at goal fizz over the bar however he was to more than make up for that, some great wing play by Nathan and he feeds in Marc on the edge of the 18 yard box to unleash an unstoppable shot past the Livi keeper and into the top corner for his first goal of the season.
The boys at the back were also working hard to try and record their 3rd clean sheet of the season, a late substitution brings Ben on after a long spell out through injury and as the match draws to a finish the boys at the back do in fact keep a clean sheet for today’s game and the score ends.
Pumpherston United 10-0 Livingston Hearts CFC
A word of acknowledgement for the Livi boys who played some good football today and especially the keeper who made some good saves though out the match.
It was good to see the Pumphy coaches focusing the players on their positional work along with their passing and movement, rather than just trying to get the ball in the back of the net. Some of the link up play today was top class and you can see that all the boys are enjoying their football and working hard.