Buntingford Cougars Under8s Blues invited Stevenage Borough Juniors to The Bury and delivered their best and most entertaining performance to date. Cougars lined up in an innovative 1-1-3 formation with Oliver Tallis in goal, Ronnie Hennessy at the back and an interchangeable front three of Sebbie Ivison, Tom Flanagan and Thomas Deane. The formation made for an entertaining display.
Flanagan was on the scoresheet first with a great turn, run and tucking a shot under the advancing keeper before Deane notched one with a close range finish after a Flanagan shot was saved. Soon after Flanagan played a one-two with Deane and finished crisply ahead of Ivison scoring at the second attempt after a good save. Deane then added to the scoreline when great wide play from Flanagan set him up for a lovely left foot finish. Ivison then added another before half time.
After the break Deane took up goalkeeping duties and there was a little shuffle in the ranks with Tallis taking over as the rock at the back. Ivison quickly grabbed his hat-trick with an assist from Hennessey. It was then keeper turned poacher Tallis who got in on the action with the goal of the game – a screamer from 25 yards into the top corner. Hennessey also got on the scoresheet before Ivison added his fourth after a great pass from Flanagan. Flanagan secured his hat trick with a close range finish after a corner and then notched fis fourth after after a run down the left and tidy finish ahead of Ivison scoring his fifth with a left footed strike.
In between all the goals there was some lovely passing, great wing play, good defending and even a couple saves thrown in.
