DESPITE their clear ­dominance Buntingford Cougars under-15s let Knebworth Youth back in the game and as a result had to settle for a 1-1 draw. It was a game that the Cougars controlled from the start, and after creating a number of chances, ­somehow had

DESPITE their clear ­dominance Buntingford Cougars under-15s let Knebworth Youth back in the game and as a result had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

It was a game that the Cougars controlled from the start, and after creating a number of chances, ­somehow had victory snatched from their grasp with just four minutes remaining.

Knebworth were unlucky not to have taken an early lead when Buntingford keeper Tim Rice was forced to make a great save.

However, play soon swung in Buntingford's favour with the Cougars having the better of the chances.

And they finally made the breakthrough when Scott Piggott's deflected shot sent the Knebworth keeper the wrong way. It was a goal that gave the Cougars an added depth as they began to take even more control with their excellent football creating a number of chances.

Piggot put several chances wide and Chris James and Michael Holland both hit the woodwork.

Then with four minutes left Knebworth snatched a share of the spoils with a bobbled shot that evaded Rice's outstretched hand.

Buntingford Cougars under-11s came from behind to earn a 3-3 draw with St Neots.

Despite dominating the first half, the Cougars went into the break 2-0 down, but with spirits high were soon back in the game.

Callum Faik and George Ganellin controlled the ­midfield, while Liam Price, Brandon Foster, and Calum Brown went close in attack.

Price pulled one back ­minutes after the interval, but as Cougars pushed for an equaliser St Neots scored again to take a 3-1 lead.

But Cougars never gave up, and with five minutes remaining, Alex McGregor netted twice from close range to bring the scores level and earn Buntingford their first point of the ­season.

Buntingford Cougars under-14s also came away with a share of the points after a 3-3 draw with Baldock Lancers.

The Cougars were left to rue what might have been as they conceded a soft equaliser in the dying ­seconds of the game, having dominated the second half.

Goals from Bayo Adeyemi and Joe Pemberton (2) put the Cougars ahead, but as they tried to play out the last few minutes, Baldock took the initiative and scored from a long throw and flick on in the last seconds of the game.

The Whites and Blues hosted Stotfold Juniors at the Bury in another couple of hard-fought games.

The first match saw the Cougars take the lead with a strike from Joe Babbage, before Alex Hewer added another for Buntingford in the second half.

The game was end-to-end with some great play and passing from both sides as Matthew Share and Matthew Adams were outstanding in defence for the Cougars.

Stotfold pulled one goal back but it was all little too late as the Cougars held on to win 2-1.

The second game was equally as entertaining with Buntingford keeper Reece Knapp making a number of fantastic saves.

A strike from Jordan Moore saw Cougars take an early lead although Stotfold equalised following some brilliant individual skill.

Cougars fought back with Jordan Moore hitting the cross bar, before Sidney Arnold scored a fine goal.

Moore then put the game beyond doubt with another calm strike to seal a 3-1 win for Cougars.

Buntingford Cougars under-10 Blues impressed once again, and saw off ­Potters Bar to reach the next round of the county cup with a 2-1 win.

In a tight game Cougars went ahead with a brilliant Thomas Burns strike, before Potters Bar fought back with a well-worked a first half equaliser.

However, super sub Charlie Owen entered the action and within minutes netted Cougars' deserved winner with a coolly-taken strike.