Buntingford Cougars Under8’s look like they are developing into a formidable outfit under the guidance of Dale Brett, Luke Fone and Tom Curtis. Brett’s Stripes team played Saffron Walden Spartak who were a good match. The game stated very evenly with chances at both ends! Ronan McGuire in goal made some fantastic saves denying Spartak before Beau Lampard’s terrific run resulted in a shot that narrowly missed. Jamie Coote broke the deadlock for Cougars before the interval with a cool finish. Ben Lewis had a few great chances to put Cougars further ahead but was shut out by Spatyak’s keeper. The second half started well for Buntingford who could not break down Spartaks solid defence. Due to some very impressive midfield work from Jessica Page and Ronan McGuire Cougars went further in front with two top finishes by Ben Lewis before Beau Lampard made some great saves but then could not stop Spartak pulling one back. Coote scored another to bag his brace and Lewis hit a rocket to complete his hat trick! Some superb defending by Jonny Rolfe and Aiden Broci kept Spartak at bay, in the dying seconds Lewis got his fourth to end the match on a high! Gaffer Brett told Sky Sports “It as an excellent performance all round every player was superb. I am very happy with the team.”
A few days later the buoyant Under8’s Stripes team faced Ashwell and controlled from the start. Two early goals from Henry Turner helped as well as goalkeeper Tyler Jordan doing well on the rare occasion he was called on in the first half. Great midfield work led to Turner doubling his tally before half time. The second half started pretty slow but that did not stop the in-form Turner scoring again, Ashwell scored a consolation before Turner went one better that Aguero with his double hat-trick. Afterwards Brett told BBC’s 606 show “The team performance was outstanding, everyone pulled together throughout the game in each of their positions. Oliver Curran was awarded man of the match but I was very proud of every player who all gave 120 percent.”
Not to be outdone Tom Curtis’ Under8’s Whites are also flying high. Against Ashwell they scored early courtesy of Beau Quinn before some great teamwork resulted in TJ Curtis making it two. Ben Lewis, Curtis and Quinn were working so well together and Quinn was awarded with his third before the break. In the second half Curtis scored again before Jamie Coote scored. Luke Ross was passing well and played a part in Alfie Vottariello getting on the scoresheet before Curtis scores his third. Beau Quinn adds tow more to take his match tally to seven and Ross gets a deserved goal. Boss Tom Curtis was understandably pleased saying “I am over the moon with the way the players are developing. They are a credit to their families and Cougars.”
Elsewhere for Cougars the Under12’s Blues put in a good performance against a strong Bishop Stortford Rovers but were unable to bag any points. Charlie Fountain scored, Max Young put in a great performance and Man of the Match was Cosmo Melvin. Cougars Under13’s when one better against Stortford as they earned a good point against second placed BSFC United.
In the Under14 section Martin Stevens Blues team remain in second after dispatching Stevenage Boro two nil away and pressuring leaders Hitchin in the first division. Bruce Knapp’s Under16’s are still struggling to get the results they deserve as they went down two nil away to Hitchin Town. Sean Curran’s Under18’s swapped places with FC Comets to move into third after travelling to beat them six – one.
