Tyneside Pumas The next members of the cat family to play against the Vipers today were the Pumas of Tyneside. With a nail-biting penalty shoot-out on the adjacent pitch delaying the start, an unusually quiet Monkton saw the 2 teams kick-off in what was now an early afternoon fixture. With the excellent Nathan, and the classy Taylor on the bench, Adam partnered Lewis Ireland in defence with Lewis Keenan upfront and Harry, Rob and Jack in midfield. Early pressure from the Reds forced a series of corners that resulted in the Thompson Thunderbolt flying just the wrong side of the post, but only just. Great defence from Lewis setting up another quick attack and keeping the pressure on the Pumas. Good reactions from Harry who latches onto the ball and crashes a ball, fractionally wide of the goal, before a good pass from the right finds Jack who controls well and smacks the ball against the post and the keeper pounces to make a great save. A good corner from the Vipers is only half-cleared and comes out to Taylor pushing up from the defence. Unlucky for Taylor whose terrific shot is goal-bound but blocked on the line. A quick 1-2 between Harry and Jack and a great cross in the box finds Lewis Keenan on hand to guide the ball across the line and into the back of the net to give the Vipers a deserved lead, 1-0. More action from Jack, this time firing in a free-kick after the marauding Adam had been bundled over. A cracking effort, but once again the Pumas’ defence held firm. Nathan came on up front and was soon in the thick of the action along with Rob who cleverly worked the ball on top his left foot but the powerful shot was well saved by the keeper. Another awesome effort as Captain Marvel showed great determination to fire in a long-range rocket from outside the box. The shot was again saved by the keeper and the ever alert Nathan showed excellent reactions to get to the rebound but the follow-up was just wide. With time running out, this time the Vipers made a final decisive attack to seal the match. Jack fed the mercurial Harry, who drifted up the left wing, cut inside to burst into the penalty area and slipped the ball into the back of the net with his sweet left foot. Yes, sweet left foot, a real collector’s item! 2-0 So, another good performance with the Mighty Reds passing, tackling and playing well for each other to run-out worthy winners. Well done Lads, you stuck to your game and your excellent work got the result it deserved. As a gadgy called Rudyard Kipling once wrote, in between making some exceedingly good cakes, I think: IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!' If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, ' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! Final score: 2-0.
