Buntingford Cougars

2 hours ago

Cougars U11s Whites vs Panshanger Pumas Saturday 19 October Away

Demonte, Deeks, Benton, White, Brown, Dawson, Cole, Scott, Roskilly, Eastwood, Bullock, Collery

Sunshine, minimal breeze and a tightly mown, dead flat pitch provided ideal conditions for Whites’ first match after their promotion. Would this match be a stern test?

Whites started playing from right to left in the first half. The Pumas began positively, and looked threatening. Whites defence would need to be alive to the Pumas’ attacks.

At the other end the Whites attack and midfield were continuing to show their hunger for goals. White, continuing his good form from the last game, was almost the first on the scoresheet breaking through the middle and eventually getting in a shot that hit the post. And after 10 minutes Eastwood, always eager, scored the Whites first, shooting from an acute angle on the right that somehow the goalkeeper missed, the ball sneaking into the far corner of the net.

Whites could then have dominated. Indeed the attacks kept coming. Eastwood hit a long shot at the keeper. Then Cole started a nice team effort down the left culminating in a Roskilly shot that was saved by the Pumas keeper, but which others couldn’t finish off. Twice Eastwood put Brown through on goal only for the keeper to save the first time, and for the shot to go wide the second time. Was this profligacy going to cost the Whites?

The Whites defence of Cole, Demonte and Dawson has become hard to get past, but Pumas were outnumbering the defence and the Whites’ midfield was not always back in time to help out. Benton was taking a worryingly big part in the game, saving once at the feet of a Pumas striker and on many other occasions having to time his runs out of the box to clear.

After the turnaround Whites did not lose heart, rather they increased their efforts on goal. The midfield was working better, Deeks showing more effort and control than in the first half. Again and again Roskilly, Eastwood and Brown in attack looked like they must score, but they didn’t. Then White, as in the first half, broke through on the edge of the box and, this time, on his second effort, scored.

The game was now seesawing from end to end. In defence Whites were having to work very hard. But on the break Brown was proving a real menace from the half-way line, latching on to passes forward and taking two or sometimes three defenders to stop him as he charged towards goal. And Collery, full of running, was creating width down the right, giving their left back a torrid time.

Whites’ reward for their overall will-to-win came in the final quarter. Eastwood intercepted a Pumas goal kick, took it forward himself into the box and made no mistake with a characteristically powerful shot.

And Whites got a fourth as more pressure yielded a corner, that Roskilly finished calmly, shooting up into the net from close range.

To their credit Pumas did not give up as the game ran out of time. The Whites defence stood firm, Benton and Demonte proving invaluable at the back, both showing great timing in their play. Scott at left back, kept harrying the Pumas’ winger. And Bullock, latterly at right back, used his pace and powerful ball clearances to great effect.

POM was awarded again to Demonte, who was the only outfield player not be substituted and was excellent from start to finish.

Well played both teams! ... See MoreSee Less

Buntingford Cougars

7 hours ago

Cougars U11s Blues vs Risden Wood, Saturday 19th October, away

Awoyemi, Tanner, Willis, Moggridge, Ivison, Deane, Tallis, Flanagan, Scott, Wick

A sunglasses morning down in Harlow and a lively match up. The Blues were injury and illness ravaged. Tanner played despite the after effects of a spicy ruby, Moggridge just recovered from man flu and Ivison slotted in as reserve coach with a foot injury limiting his playing time to just the last 10 minutes.

Barely kicked off and Tallis was making a sharp one on one save. The linesmen were in action early too, saving the blushes of the forwards on both sides. Risden were making life tough for the Blues - Wick made a last ditch tackle and a double save from Tallis kept them at bay. Tanner was everywhere too - headers, tackles and interceptions. Another couple saves from Tallis thrown in for good measure, one a tip over the bar that was exceptional.

Willis was the main outlet on the left, battling hard and trying to feed the forwards. Deane and Awoyemi were alternating up front as the Blues tried to get a foothold.

They slowly built some pressure - Moggridge feeding Willis but his shot was saved low. The corner routines though were not quite working....

Then they turned it on. Scott winning it in midfield, beating two and putting Moggridge in space on the right. A step inside and pass to Deane, quickly moved in to Flanagan who let fly from 20 but saved and Willis denied on the follow up! Great football.

As the half came to a close the Blues had got themselves up and running and their passing game was looking really good.

Into the second. Tallis busy again with two quick saves, then another. Deane had to track back to make a last ditch tackle as the Blues felt some pressure.

Their reward came from a set piece. Flanagan delivered, the keeper could only parry and Awoyemi lifted it to the far post where Willis arrived like a train and planted a bullet header past the keeper - you don't save those!

Then Flanagan with a great ball to Scott, one touch but his strike went inches wide. Then, almost identical but Wick fed Scott and his shot landed millimetres wide.

Tallis needed to stay alert throughout, plenty of saves, blocks and good distribution.

Then a dog ran across the pitch! Great pace but lacked composure and struggled to get onto the ball.

Wick, Tanner and Tallis deserve a lot of plaudits - excellent throughout. Wick took the man of the match but it could have been any of the three.

Well played both teams. ... See MoreSee Less