Buntingford Cougars

Buntingford Cougars Blues U9s travelled to Stevenage to play out a hugely entertaining encounter with Fairlands Youth. Two matches were played and both were very equal with both teams competing in quite a physical game.

It was Cougars who struck first in the first half as Hayden Walley made space on the right to cross for highest scorer George Bovington to fire home from just inside the area with a fine strike. Before half time the hosts equalised with a fine strike of their own from around 20 yards that left Stuart Eariss in the Cougars goal with little chance.

In a physical game the man of the match for Cougars was again Brogan Fakhfakh for his strong defensive performance.

The second half again was nip and tuck and indeed both sides could have scored before mid way in the half when Bovington again fired home after a fine Cougars move. The goal sewed up the match for Cougars who won the first encounter.

The second match was again evenly matched with Cougars scoring via an own goal in the first half before Fairlands hit the net twice. In the second half it was Bovington again who scored what was easily the best goal of the match as Archie Vass-Smart from a deep position on the right made an inch perfect aerial pass, Bovington let the ball drop over his shoulder and then as it bounced in the opposition’s penalty area the young poacher fired a half volley into the roof of the net.

After the match the award for man of the match went to George Hegarty who has returned to top form.

Cougars Blues Under 9s travelled to Bassinbourn on Saturday hoping to carry on where they left off in Stevenage the previous week. The match started as a very even affair with the home side creating the better of the chances but the defensive pairing of Brogan Fakhfakh and Archie Vass-Smart held firm and goalkeeper Max Andrews demonstrated safe hands between the sticks.

As the game progressed the midfield duo of Sam Daly and Ciaran Jenkins started to get a grip on the game with their usual tactic of being tenacious in the tackle and looking to pass early and as a consequence the visitors managed to make the hosts defence work harder and earned a few corners and free kicks that asked a few questions of the home side’s defence.

Cougars were eventually rewarded before half time as Vass-Smart won a ball deep in his half and found Hayden Walley who slotted into the channel for George Bovington. The Blues top scorer made no mistake as he advanced towards goal and slotted home for the opening goal of the game.

The second half started as the fist finished with Cougars just edging possession but as players from both sides tired there were a few late tackles resulting in free kicks for both teams and mistakes that created chances in open play. Midway through the second half the home side were rewarded for their determination with an equaliser that left Andrews no chance in goal.

As the last five minutes approached the game still seemed to have goals in it and indeed it was Cougars who capitalised on some tired legs as Daly and Jenkins combined to start an attack that led to Bovington crossing for Walley to fire in from close range. Despite a few scares and conceding of free kicks in some dangerous areas the visitors from Buntingford managed to hold on for a hard earned but well deserved victory.

For his herculean efforts all over the pitch the man of the match accolade was awarded to Archie Vass-Smart and after the match Cougars Coach Lee Bovington commented “We were good for the win today. We started well in an even encounter but really looked the better side when all of the players started to work hard to win the ball all over the pitch. The lads should be proud of that result – they deserved it after an outstanding performance.”

After the exciting first game a second match was played out which Cougars won comfortably. Max Young scored his first competitive goal for Cougars in a game in which he shone and earned man of the match. The scoreline was added to with strikes from Goerge Bovington and Hayden Walley to make an enjoyable day and four games unbeaten for the boys from Buntingford.