Buntingford Cougars

Cougars Under 10’s Blues just like last year went to Manuden with only seven players and came through a tough challenge. The day started well with free teas and coffees brought out to the crowd, Barry please take note, at the Bury it would be acceptable for these to be pints or fruit based drinks for the ladies! Cougars began brightly with some really slick passing and took an early lead when Oscar Kay thumped home from a corner. Moments later Kay was again in the action as he headed a pin point corner from Rylee Kitteringham against the post. Against the run of play Manuden equalised but this only proceeded to increase Cougar’s efforts. Kay parted the Manuden defence like Moses did the Red Sea on a barnstorming run to restore the lead. Kitteringham then pounced on a Kay pass and drove home to extend the lead. At this stage it looked like Cougars would run riot but Manuden dug in and produced a great fightback. Suddenly in the blink of an eye they grabbed three goals via an own goal, penalty and a well worked corner to take the lead.

Behind at the break Coach Tom Curtis changed formation and had Adam Sleath manning the defence on his own with two flying wing backs in Miles Woolford and William Brown supporting at both ends of the pitch. Cougars then started to fire again and a delicious corner served up by T J Curtis was headed in by Brown who rose like a salmon at the back stick. A few moments later Curtis was on corner duty again when a Beckhamesque delivery caused panic in the defence and resulted in an own goal. The lead was extended by the highly impressive Kay who finished off a lovely pass from Kitteringham with a sumptuous left footed effort, which brought applause from the welcoming Manuden crowd. The scoring was finished off by Miles Woolford who calmly finished from a Curtis run. Great team performance with Lui LoConte commanding in goal, Sleath showing great composure at the back, Kay providing midfield dynamism, Curtis dead ball accuracy and the three of Kitteringham, Brown and Woolford showing mesmerising runs and foot speed. Good luck to Coach Curtis who is now off to do his level one coaching badge.

Cougars Under 10’s Blues started the season in imperious style putting on five star performance for new Coach Tom Curtis against Letchworth Eagles. There was no rustiness on show as Cougars started with their slick passing game and new recruits T J Curtis and William Brown slotted in with ease. Fraser Findlay grabbed the opening goal of the season which then triggered a Cougars assault on the Letchworth net. William Brown with his twinkling feet set up Ben Lewis for the second. The third was a beautiful in swinging corner delivered by Brown which Oscar Kay crunched in on the volley. Chances kept flowing and the woodwork denied Miles Woolford and Brown. Kay then combined with Rylee Kitteringham for number four and there was time for number five just on the stroke of half time as Brown sent in a beautiful cross and Woolford slipped home.

The second half was much of the same with Kitteringham swerving a Hoddlesque shot in off the far post. Lewis using his trusty left peg fired in for number seven and he assisted Brown in getting on the scoresheet for a well-deserved goal. The defensive unit of Findlay and Adam Sleath kept Letchworth at bay and never looked like being breached, calmly set up waves of attacks with their intelligent and precise passing. Even when the rock of Findlay went of injured, Curtis and Brown slotted back into defensive unit and continued to maintain a clean sheet. Lewis completed his hat trick after excellent work from Woolford, who then got on the scoresheet for his second sweeping home from close range. Lui LoConte was then let off the leash from goalkeeping duties and was very Lineker like in his goal poaching from 2 yards to add to the tally. The game was finished with Kitteringham passing in his second and bringing up a dozen for the Blues. Great team performance which bodes well for the rest of the season when tougher challenges lie ahead.