BOOM BOOM HUME IS COUGARS HERO
Buntingford Cougars Under10’s Whites (pictured) enjoyed a deserved win over Hatfield Youth on Sunday, their first of the season. Cougars started the livelier side and had three chances in just the first five minutes for Ben Hume, Mike Cannel and Jacob Robini-Brand. Despite the early misses Buntingford continued to pressurise and when Toby Weston was introduced the visitors won a penalty as he made a great run and was bought down. Hume stood up to take the penalty and he coolly slotted home to put Cougars one up. The away side continued to play well in the first half with the defensive trio of Paddy Mitchell, Lewie Sullivan and joint man of the match Dylan Jelley doing a great job keeping the hosts at bay, giving keeper Oscar Kennedy little to do in goal. The midfield maestro Robini-Brand was immense running box to box and generally causing the opposition lots of problems. After the break Hatfield started the second half brightly and pushed for an equaliser but the Cougars defence kept the hosts in the game. Cougars then started to build attacks with Isla Eveleigh introduced into the midfield and when Finley Chapple found himself in the box he pulled the trigger and scored a cracker to double the lead. Cannell and Weston were reintroduced and more attacks and chances followed so it was not surprising when Hume wrapped the game up by being in the right place at the right time to slot the ball into the net with his left foot at an acute angle. Match Reported Michelle Hume said after the game “All the team were fantastic today. Players of the match went to Dylan Jelley for his fantastic performance in defensive midfield and Ben Hume for his 2 goals”.
Cougars Under7’s Stripes at Bedwell started as they were to continue by dominating proceedings. Rubi Pryke playing on the left had four early shots all straight at and saved by the keeper however it seemed just a matter of time before Cougars would take the lead when totally against the run of play, Bedwell went in front with their first attack. Despite this early scare Cougars soon drew level. The goal came from a corner taken by Finley Tanner that found Sebbie Ivison on the egde of the box who was able to guide the ball low into the net. As the second half commenced and with Tyler Cole swapping his striking role with goalkeeper Thomas Deane, Cougars went from strength to strength with Ivison adding another five goals to take his tally to eight in two matches and Deane adding another, scoring now in four consecutive matches. Manager On Man told BBC’s Match of the Day studio after the game “This Cougars side is really gelling well now with Finley Tanner secure at the back, Cole and Deane sharing striker and goalkeeping positions plus the flare of Pryke and the all-round awesomeness of Sebbie Ivison running the show”.
Cougars Under13’s travelled to Stevenage based Bedwell with Ross Craddock taking the reins in the absence of Gaffer Paul Skinner. It was a day of missed chances in a game dominated by Cougars. Patrick Cahill quickly got the opposition keepers gloves warmed up with a low drive and then Jack Piggott hit the cross bar shortly afterwards. The same pair had two more chances to open the scoring, with Cahill’s effort cannoning off the post. There were three further half chances for Cougars before, against the run of play, Bedwell broke and forced a corner which they scored from. Within a minute Bedwell scored again. Marcel Zakrewski in the Cougars goal made a magnificent save despite being ankle deep in mud as Bedwell broke again. Josh Chappel had a shot go just over the net and Cahill had another great shot saved before he finally got his well earned goal in the second half. Bedwell came back strong in the goalless second half, but it was Cougars who had the better chances to score with Freddie Payne having two efforts fly over the cross bar. Nathan Lynch, Jack Piggott, Patrick Cahill, Max Coutts and Jake Premadasa all had further efforts to get on the score sheet but it wasn’t to be Cougars day as the game finished two-one with Cougars pushing for the equaliser. Patrick Cahill received the well deserved man of the match.
Buntingford’s Under9’s Blues went to Sawbridgeworth where James Tungatt netted three goals to add to a brace from Lal Wennington. Man of the Match was Bear Wennington.
Cougars Under9’s Whites also played Sawbridgeworth Juniors and netted two great goals courtesy of Austin Cook. Man of the match was awarded to Dylan Hayes.
Cougars Under12’s Whites climbed up the table as they earned a home draw against high flying Pin Green. Cougars went ahead courtesy of a close range volley from Max Young before the visitors scored twice. It was Tom Carter though who scored the equaliser in the second half.
Elsewhere for Buntingford Cougars the Under14’s Whites won three nil away at Pin Green but for Sean Curran’s Under18’s Blues it will not be three consecutive cup finals as they were eliminated at Bishop Stortford Swifts by a solitary goal.
