COUGARS SAINTLY PERFORMANCE SEES OFF SHEFFORD
Buntingford Cougars Under12’s hosted Shefford Saints on Sunday and put in a good all round performance. The first fifteen minutes started evenly with both sides posturing but creating little before Kameron Weston and Tom Carter hit the woodwork. Skipper Jake Vottariello then put a through ball to man of the match George Godfrey who slotted home cooly past an onrushing Saints keeper. The visitors soon equalised with a similar strike at the other end. On the half hour Cougars went ahead again when Weston rifled home from just inside the box and then came one of two superb goals as Tom Carter saw the Shefford guardian off his line and from 30 yards hit a sublime lob shot into the goal. The away side had a chance to get back in the game with a penalty but the spot kick was well saved by Will Lewis. Weston added his second and Cougars fourth of the game before the visitors pulled one back and then Charlie Fountain notched another stunning goal as he side – stepped a challenge and from 25 yards hit a screamer into the roof of the net to make the final score five – two for Cougars. Manager Richard Daly was pleased after the match saying “All the players did well in some unfamiliar positions and roles. It was a good game.”
Buntingford Cougars Under9’s Blues travelled to encounter a tough Manuden side on Saturday. Lucca Hedge in goal kept out several early shots whilst the defence of Aiden Nash, Bear Wennington, and Mason Pugh worked hard to keep Manuden shots from range. The hard working midfield of Liam Neill, James Tungatt and Blue Salmon also played their part along with Austin Cook who did well aerially in the middle. Lone striker Lal Wennington kept the Manuden defence busy at their end. Net bulging goals into the top right hand corner from outside the area courtesy of Austin Cook and man of the match Blue Salmon complimented goals from Lal Wennington and Liam Neil.
Cougars Under9’s Whites played Wymondley Park with man of the match Jake Garner displaying some great skill up front in what was a tight game.
Buntingford Cougars Under 7’s Stripes hosted Hitchin based FC Comets at The Bury on Saturday and perhaps in tribute to the Dutch footballing legend, Cougars started with a Cruyff-esque Total Football set up as Coach Rod Tanner rang the changes; with Noah Benton in goal, Thomas Deane at the back, Tyler Cole in midfield and Finlay Tanner up front. Johnny Nicholas, a last minute replacement for brother Jack due to a laces malfunction, also played in a more advanced role than usual. The visitors were quickest out of the blocks and before Cougars had time to settle, they were a goal behind, the Comets’ impressive No11 finishing a swift attack from the kick off. If Stripes were rattled they didn’t show it. Playing the assured passing game that has become so familiar in recent weeks, the home side quickly grew into the match. The first half developed into an end to end contest with Cougars’ best move starting wide left as Johnny Nicholas won the ball high up the pitch, made himself space with a sharp turn and laid the ball back to Finlay Tanner who switched play wide right with a delightful cross field pass finding Cole marauding forward. The chance was smothered by the Comets’ defence and with both teams restricted to long range efforts, there were no more goals in the first half. After the break, the Cougars surged forward again and again. Despite plenty of goal mouth action, the home crowd were uncharacteristically quite, perhaps the tension was getting to them! Then a breakthrough. Just when it seemed there was no way through, Thomas Deane came off the bench to hammer home. Comets scored again, denying Cougars’ second half goalie Johnny Nicholas a clean sheet, before Cole somehow beat everyone to score straight from a corner. Sensing more goals, Dawson, Jack Nicholas, Deane and Benton worked both channels, putting some great crosses into the mixer while Cole and Tanner dealt with any trouble that came their way. Before long Jack Nicholas found the back of the onion bag before Deane scored his second to earn himself a deserved player of the match award.
