Cougars Under 9’s put in the performance of the weekend as they enjoyed a goal fest at Bishops Stortford. Hat tricks from top scorer Finlay Walker and another treble from Spencer Sendall added to a double strike from Freddie Arnold to keep Danny Skipp’s side on the up.
In the Under 11s section Cougars Whites endured a long journey to St Neots and came away with no points but an encouraging performance against the division’s runaway leaders. Casey Heenan scored the sole goal for Dean Howards side and it was the hard working and enthusiastic Evan Howard (pic) who scooped the well deserved man of the match accolade.
Cougars Under 11s Blues went to Stortford and scored two great strikes on the counter attack courtesy of Jack Gurney but came undone in the second half by a well organized and fit Stortford side to concede three and with no more to reply Darryl Dean’s side left point less. Buntingford’s Under11s Stripes entertained Ashwell and lost what was a close encounter.
Kev Ridgewell’s Under14’s were defeated by Bishops Stortford with some great goalkeeping from Miles Bamforth and a great man of the match display from Indra Premadasa.
Buntingford’s Under 15’s travelled to Wormley and saw a bright start with early efforts from Josh Bradfield and Owen Groves saved by the Wormley keeper. The breakthrough came on 15 minutes when Matt Share dribbled down the line cut inside and was fouled. Up stepped Sid Arnold and sent his free kick into the top corner to take the lead. Two minutes later Groves nearly doubled the lead but his eighteen yard thunderbolt crashed off the bar from 18yards. Ten minutes later Cougars did double the lead this time Matt Share capitalising on a loose defensive pass beating two defenders and finishing well. As half time approached Buntingford conceded an unnecessary free kick which was swung in and fell kindly to a Wormley forward who made no mistake to pull one back before the break.
Early in the second half Wormley equalized from a header following a corner and with their tails up the hosts were harshly awarded a penalty in more of a coming together but Jay Canine brushed himself down and saved well. Cougars struggled afterwards to retain possession and the decisive goal in the game came when the away side failed to mark their left winger and with too much time and space he found the bottom corner. Chris Adams tried hard to score again but despite a few half chances never really came close and Wormley finished deserved winners.
After the match Chris Adams told BT Sports Robbie Savage “Today Wormley deserved their win, they were fitter than us and we switched off at a few crucial times which cost us in the end. But I can’t fault the boys’ effort and spirit today. Two special mentions , Owen Groves who in has really progressed in recent weeks and James Parkins who went straight in at centre half today and looked like he’d always worn the blue and white, he played a super debut.”
In the Under16’s top of the table clash Sean Curran’s Under16’s travelled to Hitchin Town for a share of the spoils with a well earned one – one draw. Elsewhere for Buntingford the Under12’s lost three-one to Stortford. The Under 13’s Blues went down by a single goal to ESS whilst the Under13’s Whites lost by the odd goal in three to Stortford.
