Buntingford Cougars U8s Have a Blast with Boro’s Hurricanes

Cougars Under8s welcomed Stevenage Boro Hurricanes to The Bury in May and put on a great display. Cougars started with some great tackling from George Hegerty and Luke Goodchild. Archie Vass-Smart and Heydon Whalley were creating some good moves in the middle but it was George Withey who put a nice pass through to Nathan Anderson who fell awkwardly resulting in a fractured wrist for the hapless Cougars skipper.

Cougars soon found themselves a goal down however the home side showed their determination when Heydon Whalley won a ball in midfield and fed George Withey with an inch perfect pass and with Remy Knowles intelligent movement off the ball Withey accelerated into the Hurricane’s penalty area and then slotted a shot into the corner of the net. In the latter stages the visitors scored again from distance and from a corner to wrap up the result but it could not take away from the fact that both sets of players put n a great performance.

After the game Cougars goalkeeping coach Reece Voller was delighted with the goal saying “It was good to see the movement off the ball at this young age – especially as it is something we have been focusing at training”.

On the 19^th may Cougars U8s play their final match of the season at The Bury against Ashwell with a 10am kick off.

Cougars & Hares Under8s Play a Blinder in the Rain

Buntingford Cougars Under8s played host to near neighbours Hormead Hares in a torrential downpour at the end of April. The two sides played remarkably well despite the rain making the going tough. Early on both teams looked evenly matched as the game ebbed and flowed but the visitors were the first to score through Tom Wrigley. The home side kept working hard and deserved their equaliser when Hayden Whalley scored.

After some substitutions from both sides the away team took the lead through Jonny Parker before scoring more when Cougars tried to equalise in the latter stages thanks to Wrigley, Jack Roberts, Rollo Buckley and Harvey Hawkes. In the conditions though it was plain to see that both teams of players had a thoroughly enjoyable morning of football – although the umbrella protected spectators may have wished it were a little drier.

Cougars Coach Richard Whalley said afterwards “We are so impressed with the boys and girls who continue to do so well, the improvement that we are seeing makes us very proud of all of the players.”

Buntingford’s Under 8s Turn In a Whirlwind Performance Against Tornadoes

Buntingford Cougars Under8s enjoyed welcomed Stevenage Boro Tornadoes to The Bury and entertained a large crowd with lots of chances at both ends as Max Young in the Cougars goal made some brave stops whilst at the other end George Withey, Sam Daly and George Godfrey all came close to scoring.

The second half saw a determined effort from the hosts led by Evan Howard whose tackling and hard work was an example to everyone and it was his tackle that created the first goal of the match as he broke down the visitors attack and cleared to Remy Knowles who passed to Nathan Anderson. Cougar’s midfielder Anderson shot from a tight angle and was delighted to see the ball hit the net off the post. Following their goal Cougars worked hard to keep their lead but couldn’t and were punished by the visitors when a cross caused a handball in the penalty area and the Stevenage player stepped up confidently to score.

After the match Cougars Coach Daryl Dean was delighted with his side’s performance saying “I was really pleased, a draw was a fair result but it could have been 3 or 4 each because there were so many chances at both ends.”

Buntingford Cougars Under 8s Do Us Proud

Buntingford Cougars Under 8s enjoyed the warm sunshine away to Baldock in March and looked both well organised and adventurous. In the first match Brogan Duxberry and George Hegarty’s efforts were instrumental in keeping Baldock at bay whilst George Godfrey up front was a livewire making the hosts defence work hard. In the midfield Evan Howard and Remy Knowles made some great tackles to win the ball for the away side.

Playing particularly well Luke Goodchild in goal did well but the well deserved Man of The Match award went to the recent new signing Archie Vass-Smart after he played such a strong and intelligent match.

Commenting on the performance Cougars Coach Dean Howard said “Earlier in the season Baldock scored a few against us so today’s performance and score shows how well organised and strong we are. The guys and girls did really well and I thought were quite unlucky not to get a couple of goals at least”.

Cougars In Did It Cross The Line? Mystery

Buntingford Cougars Under8s entertained Broadhall from Stevenage on Saturday and played out a great 2 – 2 draw. Cougars created lots of chances with George Withey and Sam Daly working hard in the middle but it was Broadhall who scored first before Haydon Whalley scored a great goal with a long range effort that looped over the Goalkeepers head.

Soon after the visitors scored again but in reply George Godfrey hammered home a penalty that he had earned after being pushed in the penalty area. There was late drama when man of the match Stuart Eariss in the Buntingford goal only just managed to save and hold the ball on the line which the visitors thought had crossed the line. After the Coach match Richard Whalley was full of praise for Cougars U8s saying “We were a match for a very strong side today and really deserved a draw. I am glad that Stu saved their effort right at the end even though their supporters and coach thought it had crossed the line. Maybe we need goal line technology in mini soccer.”

Buntingford Cougars Under 8s Go From Strength to Strength

In March our Under 8s represented our town proudly and have shown amazing progress whilst having loads of fun. On March 3^rd our squad travelled to play Stevenage Boro Tornadoes. The first match saw Nathan Anderson create the goal of the game when he picked up the ball in the middle before delivering an inch perfect cross from the right to Hayden Whalley at the near post who converted to score. It was a deserved one goal victory for our Cougars.

The second game was even and after George Godfrey opened the scoring with a great shot the hosts equalised despite some heroic defending from Geroge Hegerty and Brogan Duxberry and some great stops from Max Young in goal. The man of the match award for the morning went to George Withey for a skilful display.

Afterwards Coach Richard Whalley was thrilled to report “The boys and girls made it an exciting match today. At times I was pulling my hair out as we went close to scoring. I think overall we deserved a victory and then a draw in the second match was a fair result. ”

Cougars Stun Stortford

On March 10^th, Cougars travelled to another of our big town rivals to play Bishop Stortford who in a previous encounter had scored six goals to no reply. Cougars feared the worse as the hosts went ahead early but hard work from Robin Harpin, Oliver Page and Evan Howard kept the game even. Indeed Cougars were unlucky not to equalise before the final whistle.

In the second game Stortford went two up but Cougars really showed their character as twice Hayden Whalley set up Nathan Anderson to fire in two unstoppable shots. The man of the match went to Remy Knowles for her hard working performance.

Coach Dean Howard was delighted with the performance stating “we did really well today and the scores prove how far we have come recently. We are so proud of the boys and girls.”

Buntingford U8s Welcome Boro Harriers

March 17^th saw Cougars Under8s host Stevenage Boro Harriers and despite a determined effort Cougars could not find the net whilst Harriers scored a goal in both matches. Because of his commitment and attitude Hayden Whalley earned the Man of the Match award.

After the game Cougars Coach Darryl Dean remained upbeat saying “our players did extremely well today against a quick, skilful and physical squad from Stevenage, we were really proud of our boys and girls”.

The game was evenly balanced up til half time, with a fair score, could have been 4-2 to Cougars. I take my hat off to Welwyn, they came out in the second half and had a real go. They scored with 20 minutes remaining and put us under a lot of pressure, but we still had chances to make sure we did hang on for a remarkable victory and make Cougars history!

As a coach I would like to thank Dunan and Allan my assistants, all the mum’s and dad’s, but most of all it is an honour to be able to work with such a talented bunch of boys.

I was asked for a man of the match, all 17 boys sprang to mind! Whenever I talk to anyone about the game I still get goose bumps, due to the day being so special!!!

Activities including coaching, games, penalty shoot outs and a couple of keenly contested matches. The day was so much fun that the kids hardly noticed the five minute downpour that had the coaches searching for their hoods!! Mums and Dads came to collect their children at the end of the day and watched as their little footballers each received a certificate for their efforts before going home to tell their tales of footy magic.

The four coaches for the day were volunteer coaches from within Cougars and therefore all FA qualified and CRB checked. After the day Cougars Chairman and Coach for the day Jason Rowley said “Our first ever Soccer School was a great success. We raised some money for the club whilst the kids had a fantastic day. Mums and Dads were able to drop their children off knowing that they were in safe hands and were going to have an enjoyable experience with a club that they know and trust. I am confident that we will host a soccer school in future half terms and school holidays – so watch this space.”

Children from Buntingford’s local schools enjoyed a great afternoon at the annual schools tournament, organised by Buntingford Cougars and hosted at The Bury.

All are welcome to come along and support the cougars

Please click on the following link to see a slideshow of some more pictures from the tounament weekend 5-a-side

The Cougars 5 a-side tournament, held on the weekend of 18th and 19th June 2011, was yet another successful event run by the club.

Despite the weather on the last day over 60 teams entered the competition and had a thoroughly good time.

Cougars had three team in finals, winning one of them.

There are more pictures from the event, but too many to put on the website. If any one did want to see all of the pictures or order any from this page, with the money going to the club from sales, please contact Lee on lee@premierphotography.org.uk and he will be happy to help you out.

Well done Cougars!

The U12 goalkeeper was amongst many who won trophies at the clubs’ presentation evening last weekend, 18th & 19th June 2011.

He was hoping to win something, but managed to walk away with best goalkeeper in the 5-a-side competition and a league championship medal, among others

Please keep checking the respective age groups for other pictures from the presentation evenings.

Well done, but well done Cougars for another successfull year.

Cougars 40th Anniversary

The Cougars are celebrating their 40th Anniversary during the 5-a-side tournament on the weekend of 11th and 12th June 2011.