ALFIE’S DOUBLE TROUBLE BEATS BORO
Cougars Under7’s Stripes and Royals traveled to Stevenage Boro Juniors on Saturday. To warm the travelling fans on the bitterly cold morning Buntingford’s youngsters delivered an emphatic victory. Alfie Vottariello was the hero with a double strike for Cougars complimented by goals from Luke Ross and Beau Lampard. There were also outstanding performances from TJ Curtis and Oliver Curran on The Valleys 3G surface.
Buntingford Cougars Under8’s continued their great start to the New Year with a stunning performance in the local derby with neighbours Hormead Hares. Over two matches in very cold conditions the derby crowd were enthralled to see eight goals shared equally between the two sides. Early on Cougars went one up when Lal Wennington converted before Austen Cook doubled the lead. Hormead replied with goals before Cougars went 4-2 ahead courtesy of two more strikes from the prolific Wennington to give the youngster his hat trick and deservedly the man of the match award. Hormead scored two goals in the last half hour to level the scores at four each.
Cougars Under10’s Whites needed a pitch inspection before their game was given the go ahead and it was a tight affair at Steeple Morden. Cougars put in a solid team performance with Noah Gibson starting as Captain ably supported by Tom Betley in goal helping, both organized well at set plays. A close first 20 minutes had Cougars in the ascendancy with a goal mouth scrap crying out for someone to finish but it was not to be, the closest the visitors got was Jake Craddock’s shot well saved by the Magpies keeper. Cougars kept pressing with some good passing and interplay creating chances for skipper Gibson, Dexter Cumberland and Jamiu Ajasa whilst a great defensive display by Jack Hedge kept the hosts at bay. The second half started much like the first but following substitutions Morden improved and pressurised Cougars. Great defending by Sam Maley and a fantastic double save by the Cougars guardian Sam Miles kept it goalless. Magpies kept the pressure on with Cougars looking strong on the break as the game lost some of its shape but chances went begging at both ends before Cougars got caught on the break in the dying seconds and Magpies scored what was a harsh last gasp goal. Man of the match was awarded to Aiasa for a disciplined strong performance.
Buntingford Under 10s Blues also played Morden and suffered a defeat that did not reflect their performance. In the first twenty minutes Cougars dominated possession, passing with accuracy and creating chances. At the other end solid determination in defence by Samuel Miles and Samuel Maley kept the game score less helped by George Brownless in the Cougars goal pulling off several great stops. Ben Maley Oliver Baker, Ethan Vater and Freddie Bentley worked tirelessly in midfield. Sam Maley won man of the match for his strong defending throughout. Cougars reporter Joshua Maley (aged 11) told Sky Sports after the game “Cougars showed great team spirit today and played a good match”.
Elsewhere Cougars Under12’s suffered a close defeat, losing to the odd goal in seven to Shephall whilst Buntingford’s Under13’s Whites fared better beating Letchworth in a 5-1 home victory. Cougars Under16’s Blues suffered a rare defeat losing two one in a tight affair away at Letchowth in the top division and in the second division the Whites team went down at mid beds Tigers by six goals to one.
