Johnson strike books Cougars second semis spot in a row

BEN Johnson's goal sent Buntingford Cougars under-15s through to the semi finals of the Crow League Cup, with his strike sinking opponents Bishop's Stortford Town.

Stortford saw more of the first-half action, with Cougars' back four of Ollie Woodcock, Ollie Townsend, Nathan Hutchings and Alex West working tirelessly.

However, the second half belonged to Buntingford as they gradually gained the upper hand with Michael Holland and Scott Piggott causing problems.

Wth extra time looming, Alfie Long flicked the ball over the Stortford defence, with Johnson beating the keeper with a cool finish to send Buntingford into their second successive league cup semi-final.

An excellent all round performance saw Melbourn Dynamos Panthers under-nines register a deserved 3-0 win at Austen Arrowheads.

Tommy Hollway opened the scoring midway through the first half with a neat finish. In the second half the Panthers came out even stronger, and Sam Austin scrambled the ball over the line to make it 2-0.

A third goal followed with Luke Eades firing a left-footed strike into the corner of the net. Royston Celtic A under-10s, had a commanding 5-1 win over ­Sawbridgeworth Juniors A.

Although Sawbridgeworth went ahead in the first half, Richard Jonas chalked up four second-half strikes, and Lorcan George scored the other goal.

George Ganellin's cool penalty set Buntingford Cougars under-11s on the way to a comfortable 3-0 win over Biggleswade.

The Cougars were in front with Aedan Gaffney's solo run winning an early penalty, slotted home by Ganellin.

Liam Price's cross then found Alex McGregor for Buntingford's second, before Callum Faik headed home a third in the second half. Keeper George Shelford was man-of-the-match.

An impressive showing from Royston Celtic B under-10s saw them home to a 2-0 home win against Sawbridgeworth Juniors B.

Brandon Hargreaves opened the scoring when his corner found its way into the Juniors net.

Robbie Ponting made a number of key saves, and Jimi Smith doubled Celtic's lead.

Player-of-the-match Harry Jarman scored the winner for Hormead Hares Blacks under-nines, seeing off Ashwell Academicals A 1-0.

Jarman wrapped the game up with his chip leaving the keeper stranded.

Hormead Hares Oranges under-nines slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Ashwell Academicals B.

Hormead took the lead when Michael Hicks found Cameron Courtman-Stock, for a confident finish.

However, in the second half Ashwell grabbed two quick goals despite the efforts of player-of-the-match Luke McMahon, who made a number of fine saves.

Melbourn Dynamos Panthers A under-10s lost out by the only goal to Bishop's Stortford.

Willem van de Ven, James Rushton, Sam Bedlow, and Ben Webb were all in fine form, and debutant Joe Dixon had little chance with the winner, a volley finding its way past him at the near post.

Webb went agonisingly close to a Panthers equaliser. However, Stortford held on and claimed the points.

Jordan Moore's goal was enough to give Buntingford Cougars under-eights the first of two wins, with his superb header seeing off Baldock Templars 1-0.

In the second game the Cougars came from behind with Matthew Inman's strike cancelling out Baldock's early effort. They then fell behind for a second time, before Haydn Roberts levelled for Cougars.

Paris Caldecott Stevens added two more midway through the second half, with keeper Sidney Arnold keeping the Baldock attack at bay.

A top-of-the-table clash saw Royston Town Colts A under-10s take a share of the spoils with Ashwell ­Academicals A.

A strong Ashwell side took a first-half lead despite the efforts of player-of-the-match Alistair Richardson.

Robbie Norman, George Bailey, Justin Leavers, and Rhys Westbury were in good form for Colts, and Norman Leavers' maintained their unbeaten home record, drawing the sides level midway through the half.

Royston Town Colts B under-10s and Ashwell Academicals B under-10s also had to settle for a share of the points in a 0-0 draw.

Jordan Howe had a couple of chances to break the deadlock for Royston, while Conner Eustace and Thomas McGee kept things tight at the back.

Midfielders Johno Kane and player-of-the-match Danny Mynott also worked hard, with debutant Cameron Smith also impressive.

Reece Camper scored the winner for Buntingford Cougars under-13s as they beat Bishop's Stortford ­Athletic 2-1.

Darren Aldridge put the Cougars in front with a calm finish, but Stortford levelled before half-time. Camper side-footed a second-half winner.

Substitute Ian Curtis' strike was not enough for Hormead Hares under-11s, with derby rivals Manuden coming from behind to share the points.

Edward Worby went close early on for Hormead, while defenders Sam Huddlestone and player-of-the-match Danny Elford denied the Manuden attack.

Curtis put Hares in front, with his first goal for the club. However, due to some confusion over pitch markings, Hormead keeper Robert Brain handled the ball outside the box, and Manuden fired home the resulting free kick.

Melbourn Dynamos Tigers under-10s drew 3-3 despite dominating most of the play against Bishop's Stortford Park.

Tigers were soon in front through the lively Ben Breeze.

However, Stortford were back on level terms with a well-taken equaliser, before captain Edward Twyman's long range strike eluded the Stortford keeper and sailed into the net.

Stortford equalised for a second time, and then took the lead.

However, player-of-the-match Breeze slotted home goal number three to secure a valuable point.

A four-goal first half purple patch set Royston Celtic Crusaders under-13s on the way to a 6-1 win over Isleham. Ryan Geraghty opened the scoring with a shot that broke through the keeper's attempted parry.

Geraghty then turned provider, feeding Sam Cooper who burst through the defence and finished neatly. Elliot Burr added a third before a fine run from man of the match Michael Viera-Roodenburgh set up the forth for Jacob Leighton.

Isleham pulled one back before the break, but in the second half Crusaders added two further goals. Mitchell Wooding found the net with a powerful drive, before Geraghty rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot.