Cheetahs triumph in the battle of the big cats

Knebworth Youth Cheetahs 5 Hemel Hempstead Panthers 3

Under-10s

THIS was a cracking County Cup tie from the first to the last minute, with both teams attempting to play good football on a difficult and sticky surface.

It was the Knebworth team that started the brighter though with long periods of possession as they threatened Panthers' goal.

Codie Finch almost finished off a superb move with a shot that was pushed past the post by the visitor's 'keeper.

From the resulting corner, Ryan Manson cleverly chested the ball to spin and shoot but his effort went narrowly wide.

The deadlock was broken when Charlie Unwin controlled the ball well and struck his shot inside the post with the 'keeper beaten.

More pressure brought a second and after some great work by the hard-working Taylor Wilson, he saw his shot come back off of the post with Ewan Fewell following up to tap home from close range.

At that stage the Knebworth team were in complete control and looking dangerous every time they went forward with Hemel unable to stem the flow but after the break the Panthers grabbed a goal back which lifted their spirits.

Despite the fightback a surging run by Fewell saw him beat two opponents before arriving in the penalty area where he finished well to regain the two goal advantage at 3-1.

Hemel came fighting back with two well-taken goals to square the game at 3-3 and it was now time for the Cheetahs to show their character and not let the goals affect their play.

With 10 minutes remaining, the lead was restored when Taylor Wilson was fouled inside the area for a penalty and he got up to take the spot kick and dispatch it past the keeper for 4-3.

Knebworth finished strongly again with some quality football opening up the Hemel defence and after a scramble in the area the ball came out to Robson Moss who struck it well but it was deflected off of Wilson to wrong-foot the goalie for 5-3.