This really was a game of two halves on a bright and chilly morning on the Stevenage all weather pitches. Cougars started the game positively with Johnny Nicholas, in goal working the ball to his brother Jack Nicholas, who was beating one players and making his way up the flanks and passing to the centre where the move would usually break down apart from once when an effort by Tasha McNamara scraped off the right post and out for a goal kick. The half ended goalless, with Cougars defending well enough and Nicholas pulling off some great saves.
After the break Stevenage started stronger, Tasha McNamara was now between the sticks. Nicholas and Henry McAllister were getting their bodies between the ball and the attackers and snuffing out the danger and the away side pushed forward and into Stevanage’s box to allow a Rubi Pryke shot make it one nil to Cougars.
The hosts were rattled, and before long had replied twice. Within seconds however, McAllister managed to get a good cross which was converted before Stevenage again only for McAllister to strike again having been set free by Kyson Man for a one on one with the keeper. The ball despatched with authority into the bottom corner.
Stevenage weren’t done and went ahead once more with a shot in off the post. Seconds remained. Pryke re-entered the fray, the ball bobbled around Stevenage’s box, Nicolas could not convert, Man got a foot in, McAllister was flattened but play was waved on. There was time for one more attack. Nicholas weaved his way down the left wing and played the ball into the area. Pryke pounced, managing to get a toe to the ball and it flew past the keeper for a deserved equaliser with the eight goal of an exciting and fun game for both sides. Honours were even. Cougars heroes all!
