MAGNIFICENT SEVEN OVERCOME MANUDEN

Cougars Under 10’s Blues just like last year went to Manuden with only seven players and came through a tough challenge. The day started well with free teas and coffees brought out to the crowd, Barry please take note, at the Bury it would be acceptable for these to be pints or fruit based drinks for the ladies! Cougars began brightly with some really slick passing and took an early lead when Oscar Kay thumped home from a corner. Moments later Kay was again in the action as he headed a pin point corner from Rylee Kitteringham against the post. Against the run of play Manuden equalised but this only proceeded to increase Cougar’s efforts. Kay parted the Manuden defence like Moses did the Red Sea on a barnstorming run to restore the lead. Kitteringham then pounced on a Kay pass and drove home to extend the lead. At this stage it looked like Cougars would run riot but Manuden dug in and produced a great fightback. Suddenly in the blink of an eye they grabbed three goals via an own goal, penalty and a well worked corner to take the lead.

Behind at the break Coach Tom Curtis changed formation and had Adam Sleath manning the defence on his own with two flying wing backs in Miles Woolford and William Brown supporting at both ends of the pitch. Cougars then started to fire again and a delicious corner served up by T J Curtis was headed in by Brown who rose like a salmon at the back stick. A few moments later Curtis was on corner duty again when a Beckhamesque delivery caused panic in the defence and resulted in an own goal. The lead was extended by the highly impressive Kay who finished off a lovely pass from Kitteringham with a sumptuous left footed effort, which brought applause from the welcoming Manuden crowd. The scoring was finished off by Miles Woolford who calmly finished from a Curtis run. Great team performance with Lui LoConte commanding in goal, Sleath showing great composure at the back, Kay providing midfield dynamism, Curtis dead ball accuracy and the three of Kitteringham, Brown and Woolford showing mesmerising runs and foot speed. Good luck to Coach Curtis who is now off to do his level one coaching badge.

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