Cougars Under8s Stripes travelled to Stevenage to play a good Bedwell Rangers Athletic side on a sunny Saturday morning. The visitors started positively, on top in the opponents half trying to force their way through to goal early doors with some good committed defending down the other end. Archie Beattie, keeping goal in his very first game for the Cougars made a good early save.
William Brown, eager to get on the ball in the opponent’s half broke free with a great pass from Ryan Gasson only to be fouled and brought down. The resulting free kick was cleared by the opposition.
Bedwell had a good shot saved by Beattie and Alfie Perryman on his debut impressed early with his eagerness to get on the ball and showed natural tackling ability. Henry McAllister made some great passes out of defence and Ryan Gasson showed a real fighting spirit in possession of the ball.
Kyson Man came on for Cougars, with his enthusiasm, Beattie pulling off good saves, McAllister defending valiantly and Gasson and Kieran Bliss working hard it was clear that gradually Cougars were coming back into the game. An accurate pass from McAllister from the back, led to Brown getting on to the ball and cracking a great shot, which rebounded off the keeper only to be fired in by Jake Cole for a well-deserved goal. After scoring the Cougars were on top and Brown caused a notable moment with a cheeky back heel leading to good move and a Bliss shot that went wide. Cougars hard workm was rewarded with a second for Jake Cole, this time from a free kick. Cougars Boss On Man told BBC Sport afterwards “I was really impressed that the players never gave up in such a tough game.”
