Finals day at the Futures Cup

Caledonian Cougars Boys U16 4-1 Celtic Jaguars

Caledonian Cougars U16 Boys claimed fifth place in the Futures Cup with a superb 4-1 win over Celtic Jaguars.

The Cougars dominated the first half, playing some excellent hockey, and the dominance was rewarded when Fraser Moran opened the scoring for the Cougars on the stroke of half time from a penalty corner. The Cougars have four quality drag flickers in their team and this time it was Moran’s turn to flick the ball into the top right corner to make it 1-0.

Ten minutes after the restart the Celtic Jaguars equalised through a Joseff Moyse penalty corner; an excellent finish to make it 1-1.

The Cougars’ response to the goal was tremendous and they raised their game to a new level. Moran then scored his and his team’s second of the game from another penalty corner. This time Moran placed his drag flick into the top left corner to make it 2-1.

Fraser Heigh scored the Cougars’ third from yet another penalty corner in the 59th minute. With no drag flicker on the pitch at the time the Cougars played an ‘out and in’ routine with the ball heading out right and back onto the penalty spot for Heigh to lift it over the goalkeeper. 3-1.

In the final moment of the match Heigh scored the Cougars’ fourth penalty corner of the game to complete his double. In a carbon copy of the third goal the ‘out and in’ routine found Heigh on the penalty spot but this time he struck the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 4-1.

The U16 Boys showed great progress with each game and played good attacking and aggressive hockey. Midfielder, and captain for the day, John Stephen was voted their player of the tournament for his consistent and solid performances throughout the three games.

Futures Cup 3

Saxon Tigers Girls U16 0-1 Caledonian Cougars U16 Girls

Caledonian Cougars U16 Girls claimed third place in the Futures Cup with a superb 1-0 win over Saxon Tigers.

The Cougars started with three at the back as they set out to attack a very dangerous Tigers side. Despite coming under some pressure it was the Cougars who opened the scoring. On a break Georgia Jones got the ball at the side of the D, drove past a defender, and slid the ball under the advancing goalkeeper to make it 1-0 in the 21st minute. Jones is a very quick player and used her pace to create the opening for the goal.

After the goal, the Cougars made a tactical switch to playing four at the back. The team was able to absorb incredible pressure as the half came to a close.

In the second half the Tigers continued to ask questions of the Cougars defence but found each of them answered by a strong and resolute backline. The Cougars showed unreal determination to keep the attacking Tigers at bay. Goalkeepers Rachel Strachan and Jessica Buchanan each played in the game and both made a string of excellent saves to deny the Tigers. On the break the Cougars showed they were a real danger, but it was the defence and goalkeepers that deserve a lot of credit for the enthusiasm to compete and determination not to be beaten.

In the end the Cougars were strong enough to keep their well-earned lead and deservedly won third place in the tournament. Player of the Tournament for the U16 Girls was Bronwyn Shields, who played her part in the final match by switching from midfield to centre back to form the solid back four.

 

Mercia Lynx U18 Girls 3-1 Caledonian Cougars U18 Girls

Caledonian Cougars U18 Girls came fourth in the Futures Cup following a 3-1 defeat to Mercia Lynx. Despite the result it was the team’s best performance of the tournament and one that the team will take a lot of confidence from as it builds for the future.

It was a bright start for the Cougars that brought an early goal when Kayleigh Justice opened the scoring in the ninth minute to give the Cougars the lead. The Cougars had pressed the ball well, and turned it over in their own D, before working the ball forward by steadily passing their way through the Lynx press. Some good play by Kayleigh Justice created a chance for a shot at goal before Justice herself finished off the rebound to make it 1-0.

Tiredness was the enemy as the game progressed at frantic pace, and Lucy Walton took advantage of tired legs when she equalised for the Lynx from a penalty corner.

The Cougars bossed the second half and pushed hard for another goal before they were hit on the break and conceded a penalty corner. Walton scored her second of the game from the penalty corner on 43 minutes to put the Lynx ahead 2-1.

As the game came to a close, and tiredness taking its hold, Olivia Black sealed the win for the Lynx on 63 minutes when she scored to make it 3-1.

The U18 Girls showed improvement with each game and their work-rate was impressive. A lot will be learned from the team’s participation in the Futures Cup.

Futures Cup 4

Caledonian Cougars U18 Boys 2-1 Celtic Jaguars U18 Boys

Caledonian Cougars earned fifth place in the Futures Cup with a good 2-1 victory over Celtic Jaguars in their final match of the tournament.

The first half was finely balanced and the sides were only separated when Jolyon Morgan opened the scoring to give the Jaguars the lead on the stroke of half time.

Losing the goal before half time seemed to spur the Cougars on and they came out for the second half flying.

The equaliser came on 48 minutes when Cameron Golden beat three players and scored with a reverse stick shot. It was a sensational goal for the captain Golden, his second of the tournament. Golden was in the thick of things again a few minutes later when he delivered the pass for the winner, which was well dispatched by Fraser Calder via a deflection. The goal was Calder’s third of the tournament.

In the end it was the Cougars’ impressive second half performance that was the difference; they really stepped up their hockey and put the Jaguars under pressure throughout.

Goalkeeper Timon Van Rensburg was voted Player of the Tournament for the Cougars, a tournament that in general signals a very pleasing start to the programme and a good base to build from.

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top