Buntingford Cougars Youth Football Club

St. Neot's Town Boys U15 1: Buntingford Cougars U15 3

Cougars did the double over the division runners up, leaving them wondering what might have been if they had consistently played like this all season. It was a game they dominated for most of the time with all the side competing for the ball and giving their opposition no time to play.

A sackful of chances in the first half went begging following some great corner kicks from Alex West but with nobody able to put a head on the ball to take it over the line. However, Michael Holland broke the deadlock to ease the nerves and take Cougars into a half time lead.

By tradition this season, Cougars have always given their opponents the first ten minutes of the second half and this game was no different. St. Neots came out with determination and for the first time in the game the back three had to work hard covering for each other. They did allow the St. Neots attacker to turn them once and fire a shot which nestled into the net. Cougars midfield then woke up once more with Josh Sewell and Alfie Long passing the ball particularly well to find Holland again, battling away, and standing up when he could have easily gone to ground, to pinch his second.

Soon afterwards Scott Piggott increased his season's tally with another fine effort to give Cougars a cushion, which saw them through to the final whistle.

Games with Northolt are always close and this encounter was nothing different. Cougars started brightly but it was Northolt who had the first shot on goal which was comfortably saved by Cougars 'keeper Tim Rice. After enduring a spell of pressure Cougars started to work the ball well and Alex West and Liam Harler on the wings made some excellent play to try and open up the Northolt defence. Cougars were the first to find the net and it was through the perseverance of Scott Piggott who took the ball around the Northolt 'keeper to add to his season's tally. However despite constant pressure from Cougars in the remainder of the half they weren't able to capitalise on their possession, which ultimately was to prove costly.

In the second half Northolt came out looking the more determined team and Rice was in action on several occasions to deny them. However the defence was beaten from a set piece when Cougars failed to clear their lines and were punished. Northolt then increased their lead with a fine header from a corner.

They worked hard and made it three only moments later with a fine individual effort. Cougars then woke up and started to play some football and Michael Holland pulled a goal back late in the game. However despite further efforts on goal Cougars were unable to equalise before the final whistle.

A controversial second half penalty was all that separated these two well matched teams in a lively game. Cougars started the brighter of the two and came close in the first few minutes when the ball hit the underside of the crossbar, but came back out. Baldock then came into the game and pressurised the Cougars defence but with Ollie Townsend and Nathan Hutchings stoic as usual, and Tom Dalton winning the high balls in the air, the visitors failed to have a shot on target. The closest they came in the first half was a well taken header from a set piece that was goal-bound, but was well saved by Cougars 'keeper Tim Rice at full stretch. Cougars meanwhile created a number of chances with some excellent delivery across the danger area but no foot or head was present to put the finishing touch.

Cougars started the second half as they had done the first and pressured the Baldock defence well with the Town 'keeper making an excellent save from close range. Then came the controversial penalty incident. Hutchings appeared to have fairly played the ball in the tackle, but a penalty was awarded which went in off the post. Cougars then played some excellent passing football but couldn't find a way round the Town defence. It wasn't their day.