Cup success a mistake ? By Mark Hunter, Manager

Strange but true,entered into the London  Cup as a C team was not the best of starts for the Puma's or was it?
Whilst the Lions and Tigers enjoyed bye's into the second round the Puma's were drawn against Tandridge ‘A' league champions Glebe whose record in the competition read Winners 06/07,Winners 07/08 and semi finalists 08/09. 

ROUND 1

Long Lane v Glebe A

After an even opening ten minutes the Puma's visibly grew in confidence and deservedly took a two goal advantage into the break,a further goal shortly after the re-start and victory looked assured.Unfortunately Glebe had other idea's and what looked like only a consolation goal ten minutes from time  was followed  soon after by a wonder goal from distance, A lot of clock watching followed but a further Puma strike settled nerves and the final few minutes passed with no further alarm.

FINAL SCORE   Puma's 4 v 2 Glebe A 

AFTERTHOUGHT

I truly believe beating a team of Glebe's calibre so early in the competition gave the players the necessary confidence and belief to achieve success this season (fingers crossed) 

ROUND 2

Long Lane v Junior Sports 

Junior Sports from the Tandridge ‘B' league fought hard throughout but three goals in each half secured a place in the  round three.

FINAL SCORE Puma's 6 v 0 Junior Sports 

ROUND 3

Long Lane v Moonshot

Yet more Tandridge League opposition in round three ,unbeaten and riding high in the ‘A' league Moonshot gave the puma's  a great game,after wasting numerous chances the Puma's finally got the breakthrough early in the second half,a typical cup game followed with chances going begging for either side and Moonshot could count themselves unlucky not to have forced extra time as the Puma's rode their luck into the next round.

FINAL SCORE  Puma's 1 v 0 Moonshot 

ROUND 4

Dulwich Magic Dementors v Long Lane 

After three unsuccessful attempts to play at Dulwich the tie was switched to The Lane.

Dulwich were enjoying a great season in the Selkent ‘B' league,averaging over seven goals per game  and the Puma's were expecting a close match.Unfortunately Dulwich caught the Puma's on a good day and were blown away within five minutes,a stunning twenty five yard opener from Joe Podevin and a spectacular thirty yard pile driver by Brody Codling helped open up a three goal lead with two further goals before the break.

A fitting end to the game came as Jordan Winters saved the best till last with the strike of the game into the top coner from just outside the area after some fantastic build up play.

FINAL SCORE  Puma's 9 v 0 Dulwich Magic Dementors 

ROUND 5

Long Lane v Hillyfielders

Hillyfielders finished joint top of the Selkent ‘A' league last season and are in my opinion one of the best ‘footballing ‘teams I have come up against.

Playing downhill in the first half goals and a healthy half time lead were essential,so  taking the lead after only forty seconds was the perfect start for the Puma's,

however they failed to capitalise and Hillyfielders came into the game and created several good goal scoring opportunities of their own before the Puma's regained control wasting two excellent chances just before half time.

After the break Hillyfielders stepped up a gear and put the Puma's defence under sustained pressure,to their credit they held out until a late penalty was conceded.

The huge Hillyfielder centre midfielder struck the penalty with venom top right but Ryan Harris showed his class with a fabulous save.The joy of the penalty save soon gave way to despair as Hillyfielders grabbed a late but fully deserved equaliser.

With only what seemed seconds to go Mark Bola showed incredible skill and determination by getting to the byline before delivery a pinpoint cross for Kai Rowe to finish from close range.

A mix up between referee and linesman added five minutes of  nerve jangling extra time but once again the defence stood firm and the Puma's were in the semi final.

FINAL SCORE Puma's 2 v 1 Hillyfielders.