U9 Cougars roar loudest - against a strong Wythenshawe Tigers.

12 February 2011

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Following the months of miserable weather the Cougar's traveling support was blessed with some fine weather to watch this latest fixture. It was the Cougars turn to travel to Wythenshawe to take on the recently promoted Wythenshawe Tigers in he return leg of their recent friendly.

1st Period

With the sunshining it was the turn of Ford to captain the Cougars. The game got of to a great start with the Cougars building on their impressive performances of recent weeks. A great through ball from Livingston found Mail in space. Mail's first touch created the space for him to fire home with a brilliant finish. It was then Ford's turn to find the target. After weeks of excellent performances without finding the net, Ford ran on to a inch perfect pass from Lovatt to hit a shot high into the roof of the net. Wythenshawe were quick to it back and scored a great goal from a tight angle after some nice footwork by their striker.

It was the turn of Mail to turn provider. After some great skill on the left he slid a perfect pass into the path of Archer who picked his spot and slotted home. Wythenshawe bounced straight back and scored another great goal to keep the game evenly poised.

Lovatt and Howgate at the back were involved in some great defending and Stone's handling and shot stopping kept the Tigers at bay. Just before the end of the 1st game it was Livingston who picked the ball up in midfield and found Archer with a great pass who hit the target to make it 4-2.

2nd Period

Gozem, Greensmith & Bundred came on for the second period and settled into the game quickly. Greensmith was leading the line well and some lovely first touches and held the play up well. Continuing to give the Tigers defence trouble he was then fouled outside the box. Livingston lined up to take the free kick. With the Tigers wall in place Livingston rifled a free kick into the top corner. Then building on some fine performances over the last few games it was Lovatt who stole the show with the goal of the game. He controlled the ball on the half way line, looked up to see their keeper slightly off his line and then fired a great shot straight into the net.................. David Beckham eat your heart out! Gozem playing wide on the right had to stick to his defensive duties against the Tigers strongest player but was making some fine runs when in possession. His determination paid off when Greensmith found him in the box and Gozem coolly lobbed the keeper. The Cougars finished the 2nd period strongly and looking in control. 

3rd Period

From the start it was the Tigers who got on the front foot. The were playing well from midfield and from the left hand side. Bundred was on his toes to make some last minute tackles and Stone's handling was excellent as was his save where he dived high to his right to tip a great shot round the post. The Tigers continued to play their best football of the match and were rewarded with two great goals to bring them back into the match. Slightly against the run of play Archer popped up on the end of a through ball from Lovatt and scored number eight for the Cougar's and rounded of his hat trick to put the Cougars firmly back in charge. The Tigers pulled another back near the end to see the Cougars run out 8-5 winners.

Summary

A great game played in excellent spirit against a strong Tigers team. Another good performance from the Cougars who are now playing with some great skill and confidence. A pleasure to watch and their traveling support went away happy (and reasonably warm for a change). 

Source: David Livingston

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