Cougars Under 9’s Blues travelled to the impressive new facility at Manuden and took on a team who have made huge strides in the last year. Cougars went behind early on but started to impose themselves on Manuden and fashioned a host of chances. Shots rained in from all angles, the defensive unit of Fraser Findlay, Ben Lewis and Adam Sleath all got shots away, whilst the front three of Oscar Kay, Rylee Kitteringham and Dan Fone all went close. Finally Kitteringham drilled home their opening goal, which their link up play deserved, and this was soon followed by Fone getting a quick shot away that took the lead.
The second half saw an extremely impressive attacking display Cougars as they pressed Manuden high up the pitch, which sometimes left them exposed to the counter attack. The highly influential Kay fired in a crackerjack of a free kick to make it 3-1, before galloping past several players, leaving defenders bodies strewn behind him, and firing in a beautiful cross which was turned in by a Manuden defender. Manuden didn’t lay down and it took a couple of brilliant saves from Lui LoConte to prevent any comeback charge however he was powerless to stop a close range effort, which narrowed the gap to two. Cougars though were in no mood to be stopped and once again Kay went on another barnstorming run before passing to Rylee Kitteringham who coolly slotted away his second. With practically the last move of the game Dan Fone with a pinpoint pass found Adam Sleath, who had made a lung busting run from the back, to drive home. Great team effort but a special mention for Oscar Kay and Lui LoConte who gave game defining performances.
