Caledonian Cougars take to the pitch at Futures Cup 2018

All four Caledonian Cougars squads got their Futures Cup 2018 campaigns underway on day 2 of the tournament. Each of the teams are at the start of a new player cycle and the opening match set the pace for the squads who will all gain great experience from their first encounter of the tournament.

 

U15B | Caledonian Cougars 0-1 Wessex Leopards

Caledonian Cougars U15 boys’ just fell short in their opening match of the Futures Cup 2018 in a very close encounter against Wessex Leopards that ended 1-0.

It was a young squad at the start of their programme who haven’t had much contact time together but put in an excellent performance regardless.

The young Scots created lots of chances and edged the balance of play but were unlucky in front of goal, which in the end was their undoing.

The goal that separated the sides came in the opening quarter and it was Wessex Leopards’ Will Porter who got his name on the scoresheet.

The Cougars were denied by some excellent goalkeeping through penalty corners by Adam Mackenzie and Euan Menzies.

There was also an exceptional double save by Caledonian Cougars’ Charlie Gates, first saving with his legs from a penalty corner then diving to his right to save the rebound.

Despite the defeat, a really good performance has the players excited for their next contest in the Futures Cup 2018.

 

U17G | Caledonian Cougars 0-1 Wessex Leopards

A goal for Wessex Leopards U17 Girls’ in the final quarter was enough to beat Caledonian Cougars in a close opening match of Futures Cup 2018.

Despite the result it was a fairly dominant performance from the Cougars who were very unlucky not to draw the match, and possibly could have taken the three points.

It was a nervous start with the Leopards forcing goalkeeper Jess Buchanan into making some good saves early doors. After five minutes however the Cougars settled into a mature performance and played some neat hockey from then on.

The team from Scotland enjoyed lots of possession throughout the match, and created many half chances, but not a clear cut opportunity to hit the net.

It was a momentary lapse that was punished by the Leopards and Olivia Freer provided the strike in the 53rd minute to separate the teams at St Albans.

Nonetheless, the new young group of players representing the Cougars will take confidence from the performance into the next contest of the Futures Cup 2018.

 

U15G | Caledonian Cougars 0-8 Mercia Lynx

A very young Caledonian Cougars U15 Girls side were defeated 8-0 by Mercia Lynx in their opening match of the Futures Cup 2018.

Mercia Lynx, playing their second match of the tournament, really hit their stride in this encounter and struck their first goal midway through the opening quarter – Maddie Long with the strike.

The Cougars were forced to defend for much of the half and it went to 2-0 in the second quarter when Lily Johnson scored as half time approached.

The third quarter was telling and Mercia Lynx doubled their advantage with strikes from Sally Pethybridge and a second for Johnson.

It was in the final quarter where most of the damage was done with four goals scored by Kirby Harris with two, Isabella Nott, and Johnson completing her hat trick.

It was a squad playing together for the first time, with many of the players having never competed at this level before, but despite the score line there were some positives to take away from the match. It’s clear there’s some prospects within the squad who displayed some real encouraging signs for the future. The team will be looking to kick on from this defeat in their second match of the Futures Cup 2018.

 

U17B | Caledonian Cougars 0-5 Saxon Tigers

Caledonian Cougars U17 Boys’ lost 5-0 to Saxon Tigers in their opening match of the Futures Cup 2018.

The Cougars are at the start of a new cycle of players are were unlucky not to score having competed well against the more experienced side.

The first goal came at the end of the opening quarter and it was Will Mead who gave the Tigers the lead just before the hooter.

At the start of the second quarter the Cougars were dealt a blow when it went to 2-0 with Adam Lee-Browne finding the net from a penalty corner.

It was in the final quarter where the Tigers put the game to bed with three goals coming from Louis Tipper – bagging a final quarter hat trick to seal the win. The Cougars had a few chances of their own but couldn’t find the finishing touch to grab a deserved goal.

All-in-all, the younger players entering the age group played well and the older players led from the front in a competitive opening game in the Futures Cup 2018.

Fri 24 August

10:00 | U17G | Caledonian Cougars v Celtic Jaguars

12:00 | U15G | Saxon Tigers v Caledonian Cougars

12:00 | U15B | Mercia Lynx v Caledonian Cougars

16:00 | U17B | Wessex Leopards v Caledonian Cougars

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