Buntingford Cougars

23 hours ago

⚽️⚽️ Breaking News ⚽️⚽️

Buntingford Cougars are preparing documentation to request their withdrawal from the European Super League.

#AsYouWere ... See MoreSee Less

Buntingford Cougars

3 days ago

Cougars U12s Royals vs Bengeo Tigers, Sunday 18th April, Away
Durr, Gower, Martin, Woolhead, Bliss, Parker, Cooper, Duxbury, Beattie, Heath, Nicholas (JO), Nicholas (JA)

The Royals made their long-awaited return to football under a brilliant blue sky in Hertford and produced a performance to match the conditions with Coach Bliss delighted with what he saw in this friendly fixture. The mood on the terraces was chirpy despite an earlier start than many of us have been accustomed to in recent months as everyone was looking forward to soaking up some rays and enjoying the game.

Understandably rusty after such a long lay-off, the Royals conceded early but then dug in and produced some fabulous football as the first half progressed. A fluid passing move between Cooper, Beattie, Duxbury and both Nicholas brothers created a chance while at the back Bliss and Martin were quick to intercept and snuff out danger. When Bengeo did break through, Durr was on hand with a couple of great flying saves. Duxbury switched play magnificently at one point with a raking cross field ball to Cooper and soon the Royals’ quality football was rewarded with an equaliser as Cooper drove down the right touchline and crossed for Nicholas (JO) to tap in at the far post.

Beattie was spraying the ball around perceptively from midfield and the Royals continued to soak up pressure well while threatening on the break. A scramble in the Royals’ box finally produced a second goal for the home side but the plucky Royals came close to drawing level once again just before the break when another Cooper run resulted in a Nicholas (JA) shot being well saved.

The second period proved tougher as tired legs saw more space open up but there was some assured play from the Buntingford defenders. Woolhead was calmness personified as he dealt with wave after wave of Bengeo attacks, frequently jinking away from an onrushing forward to calmy lay the ball off to a teammate. Gower was similarly composed at right back, battling away in the tackle and winning headers. Parker took up a defensive midfield berth and closed down space in front of the defence and Heath was a dynamo of ferocious tackling and long-bursting runs forward. Martin made some mighty clearances and Bliss was pushed further forward into an attacking role which saw a quite exquisite flicked header set up a promising counter.

Durr pulled off a tremendous save as he stretched to poke away another goalbound strike with his foot and the Royals still presented an attacking threat on the break with Beattie having an effort on target well saved. Coach Bliss was delighted with Durr’s always improving kicking abilities and this was highlighted as a composed Duxbury passed the ball back to his keeper who then calmly found his man and the Royals passed their way out of a tight situation with some aplomb.

There was even time for the reward of another goal as the gazelle-like Cooper sprinted away from the home defence to slot home with a deadly finish. Player of the Match was deservedly shared between the whole team and hopefully there will be a few more opportunities for the Royals to show their progress before the season draws to a close. Well done everyone! ... See MoreSee Less

Buntingford Cougars

3 days ago

Cougars U12s Blues vs Ware Academy Blues, Sunday 18th April, home

Deane, Ivison, Hedge, Nash, Tanner, Willis, Mcgeehan, Baldwin, Wick

A glorious sunny morning with the blue and white of Cougars taking on the blue and white of Ware. The match reporter's eyes were to be tested....

Cougars were ahead early! Great football with intricate one touch football between Mcgeehan, Nash and Ivison with the latter poking the ball home at the second time of asking.

The Blues were playing well. Baldwin and Willis attacking down the flanks both had decent chances. And Baldwin had a great run before squaring to Nash who turned it narrowly wide.

Tanner, Wick and Deane at the back were working well as a unit. Hedge was sharp when called into action - a save at the feet of a Ware attacker and several saves with his feet.

One up as the half time whistle blew. With no subs, it was going to be a challenging second half.

The Blues were under pressure from the whistle as Ware pinned them back. It was time for some counter attacking! Baldwin spun and passed and Nash turned it against the post. Then Nash ran through clear but hit the side netting. Baldwin next, on the press, won the ball and stung the keeper's hands. Then Willis, turning in the box but placing his shot wide. There were chances - would they rue those misses?

Well.... they got breathing space! Willis, who was playing a blinder, won the ball back and played a delightful one two with Mcgeehan and then lifted a right-footed (!!?!?) cross to the far post where Nash rose like a 6 ft salmon to plant a header, Duncan Ferguson style, into the net.

Looking confident, Nash spun his man on the halfway line, latched onto a long ball, outpaced a defender and planted home a right foot shot to take the Blues three clear. Nash even tried one from distance, planting a 25 yarder onto the crossbar as he hunted a hattrick.

Just before the whistle, a freekick from a full 30 yards and Mcgeehan rattled the crossbar!

A great performance - a defensive masterclass from Hedge, Tanner, Deane and Wick and a vital clean sheet laid the platform and the front five put in the hard yards to give them a first win since the restart.

Great game Blues. ... See MoreSee Less