Woking Cougars FC
Team Pages
U8's Season 2007 / 2008 SPL under 8 Div
South
of England U8 Tournament Champions & Fair Play Winners
The cries of
Cougars and "Steve & Marc's Blue and White Army" rang out loud and
proud at Pontins, Camber Sands as the team picked up the double of the
fair play award and the championship trophy. The trophies were handed
out by Graham Poll who enjoyed friendly banter with the boys
For the record
the team Played 8 Won 7 Drew 1 Scored 28 goals and only conceded 2.
27/01/08 Woking Cougars U8 3 vs Feltham 2
After dominating
the previous game and falling to a late goal, Cougars started this game
determined to get on the score sheet early.
The first half
was minutes old when Stephan picked the ball up just outside the Feltham
area, he took a couple of touches and fired a cracking shot high over
the keeper and into the roof of the Feltham net. The Cougars midfield
took control of a physical battle and to a man gave 100%. This pressure
was rewarded ten minutes into the 1st half with a shooting
opportunity for Sam, he unleashed a long range shot which despite a good
save from the Feltham keeper crossed the line. Cougars were now floating
on air, two goals in ten minutes boosting their confidence. Minutes
later another long range effort, this time from Ethan, saw the ball
slide over the line for goal number three.
The second half
saw Feltham come out fighting, the Cougars defence came in for a serious
test. Midway through the second half Feltham score and the nerves start
to show. Steve made a couple of tactical changes to steady the ship and
for the next ten minutes the score remained 3 – 1. With a minute to go
Feltham earn a corner, the ball was half cleared and a good strike from
outside the box beats Jamie in the Cougars goal. Luckily there is only
seconds left and a weary Cougars have managed to weather a second half
Feltham storm.
Best Effort
awarded to the whole team.
Man of the Match
Stephan
20/01/08 Woking Cougars U8 0 vs Farnham United 1
Cougars went
into this game with high expectations, recent performances had been good
and all that was lacking was that little bit luck to kick start the 2008
campaign.
The first half
quickly became a midfield battle with Cougars showing a strong defence
and resilient midfield. Early in the first half Cougars won a corner,
Lewis, the dead ball specialist, delivered an accurate cross onto Sam’s
foot. Striking the ball sweetly first time Sam was unlucky to see his
shot sale the wrong side of the post. Minutes later Daniel slipped a
pin-point ball through to Ethan who unleashed a fierce left foot, a good
save from the Farnham keeper denies Cougars the lead. Farnham counter
attacked and were met by a solid defence and excellent midfield tackling
by Sam.
The second half
saw Cougars turn up the pressure. James in an early attack received the
ball on the edge of the box, a neat turn gained him the yard he needed
and he fired a good shot goal-ward. A Farnham defender threw his body at
the ball and was able to block a certain goal. Wave after wave of attack
followed with James, Sam and Ethan all coming close. Then came a superb
chip by Lewis, the ball looped toward the goal - time seemed to go into
slow motion - the keeper, back peddling and at full stretch, just
managed to reach up his right hand and slap the ball around the post for
a corner. The ensuing corner cut through all players and went behind
harmlessly for a goal kick. With seconds remaining, a Farnham clearance
found their attacker on the edge of the Cougars box, a snap shot low
into the corner gave Jamie no chance, Farnham take the lead and moments
later the game.
Someone call the
police, we’ve been a robbed!
Best Effort
awarded to Ethan.
Man of the Match
Sam
18/11/07 Cougars 1
Windlesham Lions 0
Windlesham away
is always a tough fixture, the tight pitch and well organized opposition
makes for a challenging 40 minutes of football. However, having chalked
up their first win of the season last week, Cougars were in no mood to
lose the momentum they have built.
The whistle to
begin the game signaled the start of an almost continuous barrage on the
Windlesham goal. In the first minute Daniel broke down the right,
slotted a neat ball into Stefan who struck a first time shot centimeters
wide. Cougars next break saw them win a corner, Adam took up his usual
position on the edge of the box. The ball half cleared fell at Adams
feet, he blasted a shot past a helpless keeper, only to see it crash
against the foot of the post and bounce harmlessly away. Cougars passing
game has stepped up a gear or two over the past weeks and never was this
more evident than when a series of one touch passes saw James in space
on the halfway line. He jinxed past a couple of defenders - gaining a
yard and bearing down quickly on the Windlesham goal. The keeper was off
his line like lightening and although James hit a measured shot, it was
well saved. This did not perturb James however and soon after he
broke again and forced yet another great save from the Windlesham
goalie, who was now single handedly keeping them in the game. With 15
minutes gone Windlesham started to counter attack, but each foray made
into the Cougars half was met by the solid defence of Adam and Xavier.
Sublime passing between Lewis, Daniel and Stefan saw Lewis in some space
just outside the box. He unleashed a fierce shot which, against any
other opposition keeper, would have resulted in a certain goal but once
again the Windlesham keeper parried the ball for a corner. In the dying
seconds of the first half James broke free again, he took the ball round
the keeper and was unlucky to see his shot find the side netting.
Somehow after Cougars dominating the first half, the teams went for
their half time refreshments on level terms.
The second half
began at the pace of the first. Great passing between Ethan and Stefan
released James on the right, his clever ball across goal was bravely
intercepted by the Windlesham keeper - denying Ethan as he thundered in.
The next chance fell to Jacob, he twisted and turned and earned a little
space in which to fire his shot goal-ward. Unfortunately the shot in
beating the keeper slipped post and the score remained level. Windlesham
began to come more into the game, a couple of good saves by Jamie and
some solid defending from Callum and Adam kept the home side from
opening the scoring. Cougars again upped the pressure on the Windlesham
goal with James, Jacob and Ethan all going close. The Cougars supporters
were beginning to get that feeling again – ‘a great performance but
still nothing to show for it’ when the boys won yet another corner.
Stefan lofted it into the box, the keeper went for the catch only to see
the ball squirm out of his hands and into the net. At last!
The final
minutes of the game saw James fire into the side netting and the
defenders secure another clean sheet. A great performance and a well
deserved win, the boys go from strength to strength. Man of the Match –
the whole team. Best Effort – Jacob.
11/11/07 Cougars 1
Meadow Sports A 0
After three
draws and a loss, Cougars needed to step up to the mark and put in a
winning performance. The last few training sessions have seen Steve and
Mark focusing on improving the U8’s passing game and re-instilling
confidence in the forward line, after a barren spell in front of goal.
The game began
in terrible conditions with wind and rain battering players and
supporters alike. Cougars were quickly into their game with lots of good
passing and interplay across the forward line of Steffan, James and
Lewis. The hard work on the training pitch was paying off with a number
of excellent chances created. James was causing chaos in the Meadow
defence, testing the keeper with a number of long range efforts. Meadow
counter-attacked, but were denied by the solid defence of Adam and
Callum and two good saves from ‘Mr Reliable’ himself – Jamie. After 20
minutes of football, played at 100 miles an hour, the half time whistle
signaled a welcome break and a chance to re-group the troops.
The second half
began at the same pace as the first, good passing moves between Steffan
and James presented a chance for the our midfield workhorse Ethan –
unfortunately he was unable to break the deadlock. Daniel had been
introduced into the fray at halftime and was providing width on the
right, stretching the Meadow defence to its limit. The boys commitment
was visible for all to see, quality tackles, in all areas of the pitch,
were flying in. Adam and Xavier held firm at the back and Ethan, Steff,
James and Daniel controlled the midfield. Finally the breakthrough came,
a Meadow attack was broken down by another solid tackle by Ethan, who
looked up and slotted a perfect ball through to James. James powered
through a couple of strong Meadow challenges and finished coolly from
ten yards out. The relief was palpable. There were still ten minutes to
go and rather than sit back on the one goal lead Cougars continued to
press. Chances were created by both sides but both defences held firm.
The final whistle saw the first win this season for Cougars and on this
form it will not be the last.
Best effort
award – James
Man of the Match
- Steffan
28/10/07 Cougars 0
Meadow Sports 0
As the clocks
went back, decidedly autumnal conditions faced both players and
supporters at this local derby. From the kick off both teams engaged in
a hard fought midfield battle, each trying to string a couple of passes
together and search out their opponents weaknesses. Cougars quickly
moved up a gear and after a period of prolonged pressure a slick passing
move saw Lewis in space on the right, he cut in and let fly from just
outside the box. The ball raced goal-ward, unfortunately beating both
post and Stephan’s out stretched boot. Cougars continued to pile on the
pressure, winning corner after corner but to no avail. Meadow weathered
the Cougars storm and came back with counter attacks of their own,
Jamie’s safe hands, the strong defence of
Adam, Xav and Callum and the tenacity of Ethan and Jacob snuffed out any
danger before the Cougars goal was threatened. Late in the first half a
jinxing run by Jacob gained him a shooting opportunity, he pulled the
trigger but saw the resulting shot miss the target. As the ref checked
his watch, Lewis took a long range punt, the ball looped high into the
air - there was a communal intake of breath. The Meadow keeper kept a
steady eye on the ball and made an important save - the whistle blew for
half time.
With Steve’s
inspirational words still ringing in their ears, Cougars began the
second half, as they had ended the first. The Meadow midfield and
defence were having to work hard to contain
the confident Cougars. Crisp passing from defence
through to the strikers presented a number of scoring opportunities, but
the ball would just not hit the back of the net. Stephan hit a long
range effort which was saved, Lewis saw a good effort pushed behind for
a corner, Jacob, twisting and turning in the goal mouth just couldn’t
get a shot away. Then the moment which epitomised
the game for Cougars, Adam, following a clearance from yet another
corner, blasted a long range shot goal-ward. The ball hit the underside
of the bar and dropped agonizingly close to the line, the Cougars
supporters celebrated a goal, the ref waved play on and relief swept the
faces of the opposition. Oh for a Russian linesman! A flurry of Cougars
corners ensued and still the Meadow goal remained un-breached. In the
dying seconds of the game a fluid passing move released Stephan, his
pace took him clear of the Meadow defence and
one on one with the goalkeeper. The keeper quickly cut down the angles
and forced Stephan to push the ball wide. The final whistle sounded –
another fantastic effort with little to show for it.
A
trio of draws surely we are due a win!
Best effort
award to Jacob. Man of the match to Xavier.
