RI – GOOOAAAL – LI HITS A SCREAMER FOR UNDER10’S
buntingford Cougars U10s hosted Letchworth Reds at a frost encrusted Bury on Sunday and put on a fantastic show in an enthralling encounter. Cougars were without two key players, so had to battle hard against a well organised Letchworth team. Steve Arnold’s side though started brightly and notched a goal first as Finlay Walker’s cross deflected in for an own goal. Letchworth soon pulled back with a deserved equaliser before strikes from Archie Prior, Spencer Sendall and Finlay Walker sent the home team in 4-1 to the good at half time. After the break the visitors pulled two quick goals back but as his side looked in trouble Cougars coach Steve Arnold made a tactical substitution and put goalkeeper Luca Rigolli on to the field. Rigolli, who had done well out on pitch at recent training sessions did not let his Coach down as he put in a Olivier Giroud esc (who’s that?) performance and scored a screamer into the top right corner. After the game Steve Arnold told BT Sports “It’s always good for us to see Cougars do well but both teams displayed some great football.”
Elsewhere Cougars Under12’s Whites played Cougars Under11’s Whites (pics) in a tight even match. Dean Howard’s side looked to score early on through a Tom Carter close range strike only for the midfielder’s effort to be ruled offside. Both teams came close to netting with Jake Craddock and Thea Black coming close for the Under11’s and Kameron Weston and Evan Howard unlucky not to score for the Under12’s. It was close to the interval that Dean Howard’s side eventually broke the deadlock as the diminutive Yann Boulter used his pace to score. Ross Craddock’s Team scored a deserved equaliser in the second half courtesy of Will Greathead but it was Boulter again who had the last word as he scored the winner with an emphatic strike from ten yards. Player of the match for Cougars Under11’s was Thea Black for her strong technical performance, her determination and tenacity.
Buntingford’s Under12’s Blues played host to Melbourn Dynamos and played out a goalless first half before going ahead soon after the interval courtesy of Jack Gurney. Melbourn scored three times to look comfortable before Nathan Anderson made the away side look nervous with a goal ten minutes from time. Melbourn added a fourth in the dying seconds. Charlie Fountain was awarded man of the match.
Elsewhere for Buntingford, Martin Stevens Under14’s Blues won three-one away to Stortford and the Under14’s Whites beat Royston at home. Bruce Knapp’s Under16’s lost by a single goal at home to Stortford in the Mid Herts League Cup and Sean Curran’s Under18’s stay close to the top of their table after a ten nil won over Manuden. Peter Briffets Under18’s put in one of their best performances of the season as they looked to hold high flying Letchworth to a goalless match until the league’s second placed team scored twice in the last few minutes.
