Despite propping up the table Pumas have a decent side a started the stronger with good early possession without causing Pricey in goal too much trouble. Wyrley slowly began to grow into the game but Pumas still posed a threat especially from set plays with their two big centre half’s. Midway through the first half some good build up play saw Brean break away down the left unleashing a sweet shot that looked in from the moment he struck it only for the Pumas keeper to appear from nowhere and tip it round the post for a corner. Four Oaks then broke away from the resulting corner and some solid defending from Oaksey saw the Jags then conceded a corner. Some slack marking left the big Pumas defender with a free back post header that looked goal bound to give them the lead only for Pricey to get down and make an even more impressive save seen at the other end moments earlier.
Wyrley continued to frustrate, whilst starting to now dominate the physical battle, winning the ball and turning over possession the subsequent distribution lacked any real quality, an area we need to improve on quickly to keep climbing the table!
Just when it looked like the sides would go in level at half time joint man of the match Billy Hammonds having his best game of the season picked up a loose ball on the edge of the 18 yard box and calmly placed into the top corner. It was the most perfect time to score, as soon as Four Oaks kicked off the referee blew for half time.
It soon became apparent the timing of Billy’s goal was instrumental in how the rest of the game was played out. It lifted Wyrley and the lads started the second half on the offensive and the Pumas had no reply, the Jags became dominant with superior passing, movement and pace up front with Taylor and Luke running the Pumas back four ragged. Four Oaks then conceded a free kick under pressure in the final third and up stepped Tom ‘Tank’ Leak who beautifully doubled the Jags lead with a perfectly placed strike into the top corner giving the Pumas keeper no chance. The Jags were now all over Four Oaks and Billy got his second of the game not long after with a scrambled 6 yard finish after a superbly placed corner from Tom ‘Bruce’ Lee. Taylor then made it four with a deserved solo effort as the Jags continued to push. Credit to the Pumas who never gave up and their spirit is notable. They continued to push and created two decent chances in the final few minutes, one of which was fantastically cleared off the line from Oaksey who had a creditable second half winning every challenge and distributing the ball beautifully from the back.
Having lost in disappointing circumstances the week before it was a great reaction from the whole squad which resulted in a climb of two league places and for the first time since 2008 and plus figure in the goal difference column! Keep up the good work lads!
Shared Man of the Match
Billy Hammonds
Josh Oakes