Buntingford Cougars U7s Stripes and Royals were always going to up against it on Saturday as Phil Allen’s squad was hit by illness but the players put in another fine performance playing their first home game of the season against a well organised Bedwell team. It was an entertaining game with both teams trying to play football the way it should be from the back, the score swapped hands several times with Bedwell coming out on top by the odd goal. Allen was interviewed after the match and said “I want to say well done to both sides for a great game played in the right spirit.” The Under7’s Blues and Whites had an early start and long journey to St Neots and despite having a depleted side due to illness Luke Fone and Ricci Crace’s team were rewarded with a comfortable victory.
Buntingford’s Under10’s entertained Letchworth garden City Eagles and the relatively new managerial partnership of Danny Miles and Gerry Meehan were pleased with a 3-2 win.
Cougars Under11’s Blues recorded their first victory of the season as Darryl Dean’s troops beat Stevenage Boro Hurricanes four goals to two. There were four different scorers for the hosts with Jack Lally, Archie Vass-Smart, Charlie Fountain and Jack Gurney all on target as Cougars went four nil up before the visitors scored two in the last ten minutes.
Buntingford’s Under11’s Whites enjoyed a great game hosting Stotfold Greys with the visitors running out as narrow two-one winners in a thrilling encounter. Josh Lucas was the scorer for the home side in a match which Casey Heenan, Jimmy Brown and Tom Carter were outstanding. Cougars Under11’s Stripes travelled to Ashwell and did well but were unable to overcome the hosts who scored to no reply.
Cougar’s Under 12’s played Sawbridgeworth Sliders with Buntingford winning three – nil courtesy of a brace from Jack Piggott and one from Jack Littleford who scored with a spectacular over head kick. Man of the Match went to Jack Piggott but Manager Paul skinner told the BBC’s match of the day “I am really pleased because we won today with a great all round team effort”.
Buntingford’s Under13’s Blues suffered their second league defeat in division one going down by the odd goal in five at Shefford Saints whilst Cougars Under13’s Whites now head the third division as they won their second match in as many weeks by the same five nil score line. Buntingford’s Under14’s battled hard against a strong Baldock team with some good play from Miles Blamforth, Ben Clark and Jacob Dear.
Cougars Under15’s went to Hemel to play one of last season’s top half sides. The first half was a tight physical affair with the best chance falling to Buntingford’s Matt Adams who hit the bar from 20 yards. The second was quite different as Buntingford grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and five minutes in Adams crossed for Archie Rhodes to side foot home for the opener. Ten minutes later Alex Hewer doubled the lead with a powerful header and soon after Hewer doubled his tally and added Cougar’s third with a 30 yard effort. Liam Smith notched a fourth with a sweet left foot shot before Hewer achieved his hat-trick from inside the box. Hemel then scored to make the game score five one. Cougars Under15’s Boss Chris Adams in the press office after the game said; “Today we worked incredibly hard in a tight physical first half and that built a platform for the second half where we were clinical in front of goal. A special well done to Alex Hewer for a super hat-trick.”
Jason Rowley’s Cougars Under 16’s Whites travelled to suffer a five two defeat at the hands of Letchworth’s Whites whilst Sean Curran’s Under 16’s Blues went to third in the first division as they were held to a one all draw at home to Baldock Town.
