Currie Star withstand Pumpherston pressure to progress in South East Region Cup

Pumpherston United U16s got the game kicked off with both teams playing attacking football from the first whistle Currie Star Whites had the first real chance of the game after nine minutes.

They won a couple of quick corners from blocked shots on goal ten minutes later forcing a couple of very good saves from the Pumpherston goalkeeper Jack Brown.

Pumpherston then had a wave of attacks of their own trying to find a way through the Currie Star defence and had a few shots on goal trying to test goalkeeper, Evan Marwick. They had the best of their chances of the half right on the stroke of half-time forcing a quick reaction save from Marwick in the Currie Star goal, and with that the referee brought the first half to a close.

Currie Star got the second half underway and it only took them five minutes to find their opener, Connor Rankin received the ball into his feet on the edge of the penalty area turned and slotted the into the far corner to put Currie Star 1-0 up.

Currie Star had another shot go very close as a free kick crashed off the bar. After this, the game became a feisty affair with multiple yellows and ended with a Pumpherston player seeing red.

After 64 minutes Rankin received the ball on the right side of the Pumpherston box from a magical cross-field pass from Ronan Bassett he then cut inside onto his weaker left foot and slotted the ball calmly past the goalkeeper to double Currie Stars’ lead and gave them a real foothold in the game.

Pumpherston managed to get a goal back through Igor Kulik-Nowosad who picked up the ball just outside the Currie Star box from a defence-splitting pass and ran through, calmly slotted past the Currie Star goalkeeper.

Unfortunately for Pumpherston, it was too little too late though, as the referee brought the game to an end after what was an enthralling last ten minutes of constant pressure from Pumpherston on the Currie Star defence, but Currie Star withstood the pressure and progressed through to round 3 of the U16 South East Region Cup 23/24 2-1.

Currie Star Whites Player of the Match: Connor Rankin

Pumpherston United Player of the Match: Jack Brown

Currie Star Whites Magic Moment:

Getting the second goal to grab control of the game.

Pumpherston United Magic Moment:

Getting a goal back to keep themselves in the game