Buntingford Cougars had another weekend weather washout for most teams but there was still some enjoyable action. The game of the weekend was at London Road as Cougars Under11’s Whites faced Cougars Stripes (pictures attached). It was a tight affair with Ian Jenkins Stripes team creating more chances in the first half.
Yann Boulter, Freddy Cocks, and Ciaran Jenkins for the Stripes all had efforts saved or missed before Dean Howard’s Whites broke the deadline just before half time. A corner was delivered perfectly by Kameron Weston and was only half cleared by the Stripes defence and fell invitingly to Cougars Whites Man of the Match Jimmy Brown who made no mistake from 12 yards with a sure fire strike through a crowded six yard box and into the net.
The second half saw Buntingford’s Whites create more chances with Tom Carter, Josh Ridings and Casey Heenan enjoying efforts on goal but Tom Ryman in the Stripes goal was commanding between the sticks. Stripes defenders Freddy Lee and their Man of the Match Shane Coyne were both courageous with some last ditch tackles and goal line clearances.
At the other end Josh Lucas, Ed Green, Charlie Griggs and Ben Hancox all saw efforts narrowly miss or get well saved by Cougars Whites guardian Max Young. It was Cougars Whites who scored the next goal that decided the fixture as Brogan Fakhfakh and Evan Howard worked hard to set up Josh Neylour who cracked in a low shot that into the goal.
After the game Cougars Ian Jenkins told BBC’s Match of the Day “Although we didn’t get the result we saw probably our best performance of the season today with a gritty display and some great football. I was really pleased with the performance.”
Elsewhere Cougars Under13’s Blues played out an exciting tense affair at home to Baldock Town Crusaders and ran out four – three victors. Buntingford’s Under12’s lost away to Stevenage Boro two one and Cougars Under14’s took on Baldock in a close game with man of the match Lewis Horan making some decisive challenges but couldn’t stop Baldock scoring twice. Miles Bamforth pulled one back but it was not enough in the end.
