Buntingford Cougars Under11’s Stripes played their last match last week and went out on a high with a 13-2 victory. On Sunday it was the last match of the season for the Under11’s Blues and Whites and both matches were against Bishop Stortford.
Cougars Under 11’s Blues traveled to face Bishop Stortford United but did not start well as it took just three minutes for the hosts to score after a throw in from their own half put Cougars under pressure and their striker found himself with just the visitors guardian Sam Daly to beat which he did by sliding the ball under the advancing keeper. Cougars then got a bit more composed and created chances. It was a through ball by Nathan Anderson that created problems for the home side and after a failed clearance and a ricochet Cougars’ Lily Hall was on hand so slot home from close range for an equaliser. The second half started much the same as the first with Stortford scoring early after a through ball found Cougars napping and a striker went clean through to score under the advancing Daly. Five minutes later Buntingford equalised again after a good move involving Archie Vass-Smart and Jack Gurney ended with George Godfrey rifling in a great shot. Midway through the first half Buntingford went ahead for the first time in the encounter when Daly made a good save with his feet and the rebound found Anderson who hit an accurate through ball for Charlie Fountain who went on and scored with a rasping shot. Stortford then looked to equalise and nearly did when a good move resulted in a shot that hit the foot of the post and then soon after the equaliser did come from Stortford as some good passing resulted in a shot from the edge of the box that was well saved by Daly but the Stortford striker was first to react and put the ball in the net. With five minutes left the excited crowd felt there was another goal and indeed that was the case as man of the match Anderson played the ball from the back through the centre of the park and the effervescent Lily Hall took it in her stride and with her favoured left foot smashed the ball into the back of the net for what was to be the winner in a seven goal thriller. After the match Cougars Under11’s Manager Richard Daly said “we asked the players to put in a performance today to try to end the season on a high – regardless of the score – they did that and as a bonus got a good result too.”
So it was left to Cougars Under11’s Whites to make it three in a row for the final matches in the Under11’s section. Dean Howard’s side also faced Bishops Stortford with Stortford’s Wanderers visiting London Road. It was an important match for the Whites team as they were trying to secure third place after a great second half of the season. The match was played at frenetic pace from the start with both sides wide attacking players and strikers threatening. For Cougars Tom Carter and Casey Heenan were on form and troubling the visitors whilst deeper in midfield Brogan Fakhfakh, Evan Howard and Josh Neylour were marshaling the proceedings. The first half was very competitive and rightfully ended even with no side breaking the deadlock. After the interval the affair started as it had ended the first half with both sides playing well and a topsy turvy game but it was Cougars who eventually broke the deadlock and obtained all three points as Casey Heenan scored his twentieth goal of the campaign and his notch was enough to see Cougars victors by the single goal. After the match Cougars Guv’nor Dean Howard said “I’m really pleased for the boys. Before the New Year we would have probably lost this game but their determination and tenacity delivered a deserved victory. What is good to see is that they do it for each other. Their commitment must be admired and their enthusiasm for the game is infectious. I am so proud of them all.”
Buntingford Cougars Under9s Blues (pictured) had their first Local Derby against Hormead Hares for over two years on Saturday. It was an exciting game with end to end action for the first ten minutes before a marauding run down the left from Ollie Hay set up Fred Arnold to opening the scoring. Cougars then stepped up a gear scored several more time with Finlay Walker netting four to add to strikes from Spencer Sendall, Orran Taylor and Ollie Hay who’s outstanding performance earned him the man of the match award. In between the goal fest a terrific penalty save from goalkeeper Luca Rigolli kept the enthusiastic keeper smiling with a clean sheet.
Cougars Under7’s Stripes and Royals also had a great Saturday in a match that included and epic goal from Beau Lampard to add to hat tricks from Jamie Coote and Henry Turner. There were also goals Tj Curtis scoring for the second consecutive week and Oliver Curran who buried the ball in the back of the net with a great strike. After the match Under7’s Gaffer Tom Curtis told TalkSports Alan Brazil “It was an excellent performance all round, I am so proud of the lads.”