Sunday 12 April 2008

Buntingford Cougars U12s vs Bedwell U12s

This was Cougars first evening match set against a backdrop of a setting sun at the Community centre !

It was a game not only of two distinct halves, but also of contrasting styles. Bedwell ( County cup finalists ), had much of the first half possession. They played the ball on the ground and their passing created some good chances although they couldn’t find the final ball to trouble the Cougars goalkeeper.

Cougars adopted a long ball style. The pace of their forwards often beating the offside trap but they were unable to pass the keeper. Just as it seemed the half would end goalless, a speculative high ball found a Bedwell forward in front of goal and he lobbed the keeper to give the away side a half time lead.

After the half time team talk, Cougars came out with a more determined attitude and were the better side. They had more possession and attacking ideas and kept the Bedwell keeper on his toes, forcing some good saves. Finally with around 5 minutes left to the whistle, Cougars got their reward with a lob from Tommy Adeyemi. Buntingford survived some late Bedwell pressure to gain a share of the points. A one all draw being a fair result. For Cougars Tommy Adeyemi and Alex Curran did well up front and Callum Norton had a good game deputising in the Cougars’ goal.

Letchworth Blues vs. Buntingford Cougars

Cougars faced a difficult match against a Letchworth side currently top of the league. The opening few minutes were scrappy, but Letchworth began to get control of the ball, mounting several attacks but poor finishing kept the game goalless.

Cougars gradually got into the game more and put together a couple of neat attacking moves. On twenty minutes, Alex Curran opened the scoring for Cougars heading in an excellent pass from the left wing by Tommy Wallsingham. The lead was short lived as three minutes later Letchworth scored with a speculative drive from a narrow angle. Moments later a calmly taken strike gave Letchworth the lead. Half time 2.1

Cougars began the second half more brightly and had a couple of good early attacks. Letchworth picked up the pace again and around half way through the half scored their third goal from a tap in following a good save by Greg Marshall from a well struck shot. Shortly afterwards Ollie Dent headed narrowly wide for Cougars from a well worked move. In the last few minutes Cougars defended stoutly as Letchworth piled on the pressure. Despite a final score of Letchworth 3 Cougars 1, it had been a pleasing and spirited Cougars performance against one of the leagues’ best sides.

3 brilliant goals from Darren Aldridge made sure that Cougars Under 13's went home with all 3 points from their match against Wymondley at the weekend. Cougars didnt really get going in the first half and the score was level at 1-1 at half time but they came out fighting for the second half and played some good football. Toby Grieg was excellent in goal and with Rees Camper and Lewis Fitzgerald in defence they made a good back line. Jonathan Bowell worked hard in midfield with Ryan Newey and they both played a part in setting up Aldridge for two of his goals. The score ended up 3-2 to Cougars.

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