THU 25 AUG 22 - SHEPPERTON PUMAS v S&LMFC U23R

SHEPPERTON PUMAS (1) 2 STAINES & LAMMAS (MIDDLESEX) Res/U23 (2) 5

The second team wrapped up their pre-season with a lively game at Matthew Arnold – often used as a home venue but this evening hosted by Guildford & Woking Alliance side Shepperton Pumas. With both teams arriving in similar kits, Staines wore orange bibs over their shirts. Shepperton’s keeper, Blake McMaster, is the brother of former Staines Town #1 Alfie McMaster.

Shepperton had most of the early play, but it was Staines who opened the scoring with a great strike from Harry Watson rather against the run of play. Zak Bharie levelled for Pumas on 22 mins, but Watson’s accurate sidefoot restored Staines’ lead just 2 mins later. Pumas rattled the upright on 35 mins, before Watson came close to completing a 41 minute hat-trick, closing down ‘keeper McMaster, winning the ball, but then shooting over an inviting target.

An eventful second half might have benefitted from VAR, so many close offsides were there! It started on the hour with Kukawski heading what he thought was a goal, only to be denied by a late flag, and Staines felt further aggrieved when not getting a penalty a few minutes later. With the floodlights coming on for the final quarter of the game, Pumas made it 2-2 with 19 minutes to go when Tommy Harris rounded off a good move.

However, two goals from Josh Stewart put Lamar Besidonne’s team in control, the first on 77 mins from a tight angle after he had closed down the left back, and he followed this with a great strike 7 mins later. An even better shot – and one that momentarily confused onlookers by bouncing back onto the field off the net support – by Bobby Cooper on 86 mins, ensured that Staines finished 5-2 victors.

SL&M:
1 Ben Appleton; 16 Zac Halsey, 3 Michael Bonnah, 14 Ollie Scothern, 2 Jason Driver, 4 Mitchell Whelan, 10 Lamar Besidonne, 17 Bobby Cooper, 6 Ross Lambdon ©, 19 Adrian Kukawski, 9 Harry Watson; subs coming on: 11 Kieran Cane, 7 Josh Stewart, 8 Edson Costa.

SP:
1 Blake McMaster; 3 Brett Lane, 13 Tim Cowles ©, 5 Adam See, 11 Jamie Thorn, 6 Ash Theobald, 12 Matt Sutton, 10 Tommy Harris, 8 Zak Bharie, 7 Ben McKay, 4 James Chandler; subs coming on: – Adam Geeves, 2 Charlie Redman, 14 Adam Thomas, 11 Aaron Baxter, 17 Shane King, 15 Toby Cooper, 18 James Cottee.

[blue shirts (white trim); blue shorts; white socks].

Ref: Charles Walker (Ascot); Assts: K Cane / L Besidonne / A Kukawski (S&LM); Aaron Thomas / Charlie Redman (SP); att 17.