After the stark warning that they had better be on their game or defeat would come their way, Crofton Pumas bounced back from going two goals behind to record a 6-3 win over Whiteley Wanderers.
A gloopy pitch under foot at Crofton School field proved tricky for the hosts to contend with and it was the fired-up visitors who took to the conditions the better of the two sides and this was to manifest itself well for them in the shape of two early goals that stunned Pumas.
Whiteley were in confident mood and before long a perceptive pass through the middle of the home side’s rear guard saw Williams make it 1-0 with a superb shot.
Pumas responded with a spell of pressure which c rated two chances but, alas, both Davey and then shortly afterwards Bowen-Thomas failed to find the back of the net.
Instead, the visitors doubled their lead to make it 2-0 when Griffiths caught out the entire Pumas back line with a swinging free-kick that found its way home and the damage was done.
Yet, despite the early setback, Pumas rallied and when Miller snaffled the rebound after Davey’s effort was parried, the goal lifted the spirits of the home side even more. Buoyed by the goal Pumas kept up the intensity and before too long Light made it 2-2 with a thunderous effort following good work from Rawling who set up the chance with a super run.
The pressure came from the home side as the half-time break approached, with Corcoran the danger man but the interval came with the scores level — yet the feeling was that the home team were becoming the more likely to taste victory.
And so, it was that Davey made it 3-2 shortly after the break after his rocket shot from distance managed to hit both posts before nestling in the back of the net. The same player then turned provider when he collected the ball in midfield and surged in to the danger area before unleashing an effort which was saved by the keeper — but the ever-alert Miller was on hand to tuck the ball away to make it 4-2 to the hosts.
Davey was now pulling all the strings for the home side in terms of the attack and it wasn’t long before he was on the scoresheet once more this time thanks to great approach play from Lloyd — 5-2 and the Pumas were rampant. Davey was in defiant mood now and it wasn’t long before he was troubling the visitors once more and it was the striker who made it 6-2 with a long-range goal that very punch put the icing on the cake.
Whiteley were bowed but defiant also and they managed to claw one back for 6-3 when Diapa struck with what turned out to be no more than a consolation goal for the visitors.