"Yes, yes I know it's been a
while..."
Yes, yes I know it's been a while, but I'm here with an
update now so you can stop sending the emails Bucks! Since I last posted we've
been hammered at home by Barnsley (1-8), grabbed a win against Newcastle away
(2-3), and snatched a draw from the jaws of victory against Histon (3-3). We've
also lost about 1,000 potential fixtures to a combination of the big freeze,
the big thaw, and the big ambivalence. In other news, Webby is handling
WorldNET this year, so if you want to be there taking part please let him know
asap as places are going fast.
Our good start to the season continued with a comfortable
win over Reading. Craig Buckley scored a hat-trick, with Nick Jackson and Ash
Garford chipping in with the other two goals. Full credit to the Reading lads
who kept going right to the end on a pretty big Bushfield pitch - and we look
forward to returning the fixture against them later on in the season. That's
only two goals conceded in three matches so far - are we in danger of
accidentally becoming a 'solid defensive unit'? Not really, not with 'The
Giraffe' in the side anyway ;-)
"...we did play very well and the pick
of the goals was from debutant Gilbert Mensah..."
Many thanks to Richard and his lads for another highly
enjoyable game. While the final 6-0 scoreline was perhaps a touch harsh on
Cambridge, we did play very well and the pick of the goals was from debutant
Gilbert Mensah who scored after a mazy dribble (which started 10 yards further
away from goal every time you ask him about it ;-). Only sour note from the day
was when Leigh collided accidentally with the Cambridge keeper and gave his
ankle a nasty looking twist - hope that feels better soon Leigh. As always, we
look forward to hosting the Cambridge lads later on in the season.
PUSFC kicked off the 2009-10 IFA season with a hard earned
draw against ASC Ilkeston. A draw was perhaps the righ result as Ilkeston had
the better of the first half (stealing a 1-0 lead in the process), with us
coming on strong in the second. Bucks will perhaps remember his open-goal miss
for a while (we'll not let him forget anyway), but on the flip-side I'm sure
Callum will remember his well-taken equalizer for just as long. We're off and
running!
PUSFC returned to Leeds to compete in WorldNET for the third
time, and once again enjoyed a fantastic weekend of football. A solid set of
results in the group stages (0-2 loss to Arsenal Nigeria, 0-0 draw with
eventual winners West Brom, and 1-0 win over Fulham), saw us through to Sunday
where we progressed all the way to the quarter finals via a 3-2 Golden Goal win
over Kidderminster, and a 2-1 Golden Goal win over Portsmouth. Our luck ran out
there though, as we once agan went out to those lads from RC Lens. Inbetween
all that, we also found time to squeeze in friendly matches with Sheffeld Utd
(lost 1-3), West Ham (won 1-0), and Livingston (won 1-0). We'll be back for
WorldNET 2010, and we might even take a BBQ!
"...an excellent warm-up match before we
head off to WorldNET next weekend."
Thanks to Keith for bringing his lads over for what turned
out to be an excellent warm-up match before we head off to WorldNET next
weekend. The sun shone, the pitch was in good condition, and the game was
played out in the perfect IFA spirit. Nick Jackson grabbed himself four goals,
Craig Buckley netted a hat-trick, and Simon Alexander scored the remaining goal
- which was perhaps the pick of the bunch. Grabbing four goals is enough to
secure the Man of the Match nod for Nick, but he was run close by an excellent
debut from Ian Walker.
Another season closed up, another set of awards to hand-out.
The lucky winners this time around: Players Player of the Season - Callum
Wales; Managers Player of the Season - Dave Fitzjohn; New Player of the Season
- Nick Jackson; Goal of the Season - Craig Matthews (vs MK Dons); Donkey of the
Season - Steph Johnston. Congratulations to all the winners!
Yes, yes another double update. This time a slightly happier
one, as we put together back-to-back wins against both our local rivals. First
up we travelled over to play Cambridge and came away with a 3-2 win. A hard
fought three points that one, and Nick Jackson came away with the Man of the
Match nod. He came within a whisker of notching a certain goal of the season
candidate as well! Next up were the Cobblers, and after a finding ourselves 0-3
down at one point we pulled off a remarkable second-half comback to eventually
run out 4-3 winners. Man of the Match goes to Callum Wales in this one - though
Jim Howe ran him very close!
"...to round-up what you
missed..."
Apologies, to everyone who bothers to read this, for the
lack of updates following our last few games - becoming a first-time father
meant time to spare was at something of a premium. So, just to round-up what
you missed: We beat Tranmere 5-2 at home (MoM: Nick Jackson), we lost 4-1 away
to Stockport (MoM: John Webb), we beat Oldham 4-0 at home (MoM: Craig Buckley),
and then finally we lost 4-2 away to Leicester (MoM: Nobody).
"...A real game of two halves this
one..."
A real game of two halves this one - we bossed the first
half and built up a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from Andy Mills (2) and Craig
Buckley, but full credit to the Kiddy boys who came back very strong in the
second and turned it completely around. Both sides created plenty of chances -
we had one cleared off the line and also hit the crossbar, and Kiddy would have
scored but for a string of excellent saves from Brendan.
"...they were the better team on the
day..."
Bugger. Bang goes our winning streak as we deservedly lose
out to MK Dons. In truth it was a fairly tight game in the main, but the Dons
just took more of their chances and we had a man (well, Bucks so make your own
call on that one) sent off in one of the worst IFA displays from an official I
think I've ever witnessed. No warning, no yellow card, no appreciation of what
we were really there for. No excuses though, they were the better team on the
day and at least we took all three points in the afternoon fixture. Look
forward to welcoming Joe and his lads later on in the season.
"...we found ourselves 3-0 up after
just ten minutes..."
Our 100% start to the season continued with a fine 4-2 win
against Tranmere. Off to a blistering start, we found ourselves 3-0 up after
just ten minutes thanks to clinical strikes from David Graves, Simon Alexander,
and Craig Buckley. Tranmere then pulled one back before half time, but in the
second period an in-off-the-knee OG gave us our fourth goal and ensured the
late additional Tranmere strike was nothing but a consolation for them. All
credit to Rich and his Tranmere lads who worked hard to make sure it was never
comfortable, and we look forward to the return fixture later in the season.
"...a last gasp goal from Neil
Fitzjohn stole the points..."
Crikey, what a start to the season - two local derbies and
two wins! Northampton gave us a very tough test, as they always do, but a last
gasp goal from Neil Fitzjohn eventually stole the points, after the Cobblers
had earlier equalised a fine Craig Buckley strike. Many thanks to Mark and his
lads, we look forward to welcoming you to 'boro for the return fixture later on
this season. How long can we keep this up - Tranmere next week will be a
serious test...
"...Wins against Stevenage, Watford,
Cambridge, and MK Dons..."
We finally went one better in the CFU Summer Tournament
this year, taking home the champions trophy after an excellent day of football.
Wins against Stevenage, Watford, Cambridge, and MK Dons, and a draw with
Northampton were enough to clinch us the top spot. Congratulations & thanks
to Ben for organising another great tournament - we'll hopefully be back again
next year to see if we can defend the crown and remain top of the regions
pops.
"....a 3-1 half-time lead which was
then carried through to the final whistle..."
PUSFC opened the 2008-09 IFA season with a win against
local rivals Cambridge United. The lads from the Abbey actually took the lead
in this one, but a Sean Gavaghan penalty, Wade Lester tap-in, and Craig Buckley
scrambler gave PUSFC a 3-1 half-time lead which was then carried through to the
final whistle. Thanks to Ben/Richard for getting a side up to 'boro at very
late notice when Orient dropped out - we'll see you guys on Sunday, and
hopefully again later in the season for the return fixture if we can find a
suitable date.
"....Our luck ran out at that point
though, as we were drawn to face RC Lens..."
PUSFC returned to Leeds to compete in WorldNET for the
second time, and once again enjoyed a fantastic weekend of football. Things
could not have gone much better in the group stages as we played three, won
three, and didn't conceed a single goal! Our luck ran out at that point though,
as we were drawn to face RC Lens, the 2007 champions, in the knockout stages.
We battled hard, but Lens eventually proved too strong for us and scored twice
in the second half to run out 2-0 winners. Huge thanks to everyone we played
over the weekend: Port Vale, Halifax, Watford, Hull, Vale of Leven, Preston, RC
Lens, and Manchester Utd. We'll be back for WorldNET 2009, we'll take a
stronger gazebo, and we might even all buy some boots that fit ;-)
"....we played some of our best
football of the season..."
Darlington couldn't bring a side down for the last day of
the season, so Real Whittlesey stepped in to provide us with some friendly
opposition for the day. And what a last day for us, as we played some of our
best football of the season to quickly take a lead that we would never
surrender for the rest of the match. By the time the final whistle blew, Craig
Buckley, Simon Alexander, James Mortlock (pen), Andy Mills, and Gavin Taylor
had all notched themselves a goal. Thanks to the Whittlesey lads for a highly
entertaining game, I'm informed that Casso now officially owes Bucks a pint or
two ;-)
"...Many thanks to PISA, and to
Darren Ferguson..."
The PUSFC 2008 Awards were presented on Thursday 1st May,
as part of the annual PISA Awards night at Ebs. James Mortlock won the coveted
Players Player of the Season award, Steph Johnston walked off with the Managers
Player of the Season nod, Lee Sardeson picked up the New Player of the Season
award, Craig Buckley won the Goal of the Season prize for his home strike
against Rochdale, and finally Dave Fitzjohn won the Donkey Performance of the
Season title for his display against Stockport away. Many thanks to PISA, and
to Darren Ferguson himself for presenting the awards to the players. Well done
to all of you.
"...Gav popped up late on to steal the
points and break the Grimsby hearts...."
We left it late, but grabbed all three points in the end.
Two marvellous strikes from Wade Lester, one from Craig Buckley on his return
to the team, and one from Gavin Taylor were enough to snatch all three points
from a plucky Grimsby team. To be fair, Grimsby had the best of the opening
exchanges, racing away into the lead and looking dangerous each time they went
forward. We slowly took a grip of the game in midfield though, and pulling it
back to eventually hit the break all square at 3-3 was a significant boost. A
tight second half, and both sides had chances to win it before Gav popped up
late on to steal the points and break the Grimsby hearts.
"...In truth we could, and probably
should, have scored a few more...."
Many thanks to James and his lads for hosting us on
Saturday, for what was a decent game of football despite the wickedly swirling
wind and 'nobbly-bobbly' pitch trying hard to spoil things. In truth we could,
and probably should, have scored a few more than the one we did (Leigh Porter
tapping home from close range), but some wasteful finishing and decent
goalkeeping kept the scoreline down. On the flipside, the Orient lads can count
themselves unlucky not to have snatched a goal in both the first and the last
minutes of the game.
Activity Round-Up (08/02/10) 
PUSFC 5-1
Reading (19/09/09)
Cambridge 0-6 PUSFC (31/08/09)
ASC Ilkeston 1-1 PUSFC (08/08/09)
WorldNET 2009 (15/07/09)
PUSFC 8-1 Stevenage (18/07/09)
2008-09
Season Awards 
PUSFC 3-4 Kidderminster (25/10/08)
MK Dons 4-2 PUSFC (27/09/08)
PUSFC 4-2 Tranmere (20/09/08)
Northampton 1-2 PUSFC (13/09/08)
PUSFC 5-2 Real Whittlesey
(03/05//08)
Grimsby 3-4 PUSFC (26/04//08)
Leyton Orient 0-1 PUSFC (08/03//08)
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