Under 11 Cougars

	Back to Fixtures			2010/2011 Season			League Tables
Game	Date	K/O	Venue	Opposition	F	A	Scorers
LGE	06/09/10	-	AWAY	MONTAGUE FC EAGLES	3	2	YOUNG(3)
"	12/09/10	-	HOME	RYTON	7	2	SIMOA(2), ADAMSON(2),WILSON, CRAIG & CARR
"	26/09/10	-	HOME	MORPETH SC MILLENNIAM	2	5	SNOWDON & CRAIG
"	10/10/10	-	AWAY	CRAMLINGTON TOWN YELLOWS	1	3	CARR
"	17/10/10	-	HOME	RED HOUSE FARM FLAMES	3	3	CRAIG(2) & CARR
LEA/CUP	30/10/10	-	HOME	MORPETH SC LIONS	3	1	YOUNG, WILSON & ADAMSON
SHIELD	07/11/10	-	HOME	RYTON	7	0	SIMOA(3), WILSON, SNOWDON, MORLEY & CRAIG
LGE	14/11/10	-	HOME	ASHINGTON	4	0	CRAIG, SAMOA, MORLEY & WILSON
DIV/CUP	16/01/11	-	AWAY	WALLSEND COMMUNITY	5	2	HENDERSON(2), SIMOA, CRAIG & WILSON
LGE	23/01/11	-	AWAY	RYTON AFC	13	0	MORLEY(3), CARR(3), WILSON(2), ADAMSON, CRAIG SNOWDON, YOUNG & HENDERSON
"	27/02/11	-	HOME	CRAMLINGTON BLUES	2	4	SIMOA & ADAMSON
CUP S/F	06/03/11	-	AWAY	WALLSEND BC	0	7	-
LGE	20/03/11	-	AWAY	NEWCASTLE EAST END	3	2	ADAMSON, HENDERSON & MORLEY
LGE/CUP	27/03/11	-	AWAY	ASHINGTON	6	2	CRAIG(2), CARR, SNOWDON, SIMOA & YOUNG
LGE	10/04/11	-	AWAY	CRAMLINGTON BLUES	1	5	HENDERSON
"	20/04/11	-	HOME	NEWCASTLE EAST END	5	2	CRAIG(4) & CARR
"	04/05/11	-	HOME	MONTAGU	0	1	-

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Match Reports

Five games in Five days takes its toll on the Cougars

NABC Division 3
4th May 2011
North Shields Cougars 0 Montague 1 (H/T 0-1)

Man of the Match :- Andrew Mitcheson

The Cougars returned triumphantly from a fantastic tournament at Haggerston Castle over the bank holiday weekend having played 4 games winning two and losing two games, although two of the teams that defeated us had an array of academy players.

Parents were still acclimatising after endless drink, barby’s and late nights or was it early mornings and it was good to see Karl back on his feet after he had to be assisted to his Caravan well mortal!

The Best Sporting Team (Fair Play) Cup was proudly on display having been awarded it at the ceremony by ex Everton and Scotland player Stuart McCall now manager at Motherwell FC. In fact he had a quiet word with Gary over a couple of our players!

This was the return fixture of our opening day victory away to Montague where Nathan Young hit a hat trick and we won 3 – 2.

Montague were looking for revenge but the Cougars welcomed back a number of players into their squad and Gary had a full squad to choose from.

Montague dominated possession with some neat passing and some determined tackling early on but the Cougars rearguard marshalled by the impressive Andrew Mitcheson who went onto win the man of the match performance held out.

The Montague number 7 was looking especially dangerous and following a corner a scramble ensued in the box and he was there to poke the ball home after 20 minutes 0 – 1.

The Cougars were hit with a double injury blow, firstly Dan Henderson limped off and then shortly followed by Nathan Young.

Gary was playing a 4-5-1 formation with the hard running Tom up front but as the game progressed he changed to a 4-4-2 formation pushing Matthew Adamson up front but he didn’t get a look in against a well marshalled defence.

Our midfield worked hard with Matthew Wilson and Morley putting in a lot of effort but every time the ball went forward it came straight back as Tom was struggling to hold the ball up by himself.

Leon and Brandon who had come on for our injured players put a shift in but again they were getting pushed back into our own half.

Full credit to our defence of Jamie/James/Harry/Andrew/Kieran/Sam who kept Montague out as they were knocking on the door to get their second.

The closest they came was when they hit the bar from a 30 yard free-kick.

Our best chances fell to Tom, both from long balls out of defence. The first time he broke free it took an absolutely outstanding tackle by the Montague defender to clear the danger.

Then in the very last minute of the game Tom broke free and ran from the half way line using his power to brush off challenges but with just the keeper to beat dragged his shot an agonising millimetres wide.

Then the whistle went…..

Thanks to Johnny Wilson for an outstanding referring performance allowing the game to flow and pulling it up at the right time, it must have been the first game I’ve been at where the referee’s integrity hadn’t been called into question.

Just as somebody tells me the Police had to be called to another match further up the field.

It’s difficult being a manager and no doubt Gary thought about pushing Jairo further forward earlier on but the risk was we could of fell further behind and when the decision was made to push more players forward we just ran out of time when an equaliser looked a real possibility.

But full credit to Montague for a professional performance to take the points and they looked a totally different outfit to the team we played on the first day of the season.

The games don’t get any easier with Morpeth away on Sunday followed by Crammy Yellows and then a nice away trip at friendly Ashington but we are safe in mid table and playing for pride only.

Thanks lads for a fantastic weekend and for being such a nice bunch of kids.

 

Cougars in the Mist!!

Wednesday 20 April 2011
North Shields Cougars 5 Newcastle East End Yellows 2 (H/T 3-0)

Goal 1 – Brandon Carr (Assist:- Tom Craig)
Goal 2 – Tom Craig (Assist:- Dan Henderson)
Goal 3 – Tom Craig (Double Assist:- Kieran Barnes/Brandon Carr)
Goal 4 – Tom Craig (Assist:- Jairo Simao)
Goal 5 – Tom Craig (Assist:- Matthew Adamson)

Man of the Match – Tom Craig
Player of the Week – Matthew Wilson

 

Well well, thought I was going to watch the footy in the Sunshinnnneee but as the game was about to kick off a thick blanket of mist descended and the game was in real danger of being called off.

The Cougars are safe in mid table, no chance of relegation and no chance of promotion but all in all Division 3 is where we belong as every game we have played in has been very competitive.

Full credit to Newcastle East End, despite being bottom of the league and lost every game they never let there heads go down and battled to the end and if it wasn’t for two timely goals just before half time it may have been a closer affair, but then again we missed a hatful of chances.

Nearly a full squad to pick from just missing Matthew Morley but as he does the work of five players it was a massive miss.

Gary tinkered with the squad with James Percy playing in midfield leaving Andrew and Jamie as our central defensive pair.

First Half Highlights

4 mins – just what we need to settle the nerves, a long throw in from Tom Craig and Brandon Carr is there again to score, I have seen that move in a few games and great reading of the game Brandon.

10 mins – Tom beats three but keeper smothers the ball

12 mins – Don’t panic Mr Mannering as Sam lets the ball bounce under his body but Jamie is there to clear the danger – Stay calm and carry on!

14 mins – This time Nathan goes close but keeper gives away a corner

15 mins – Dan to Tom but again keeper saves

17 mins – Andrew clears the danger as the big impressive NEE forward bears down on goal

20 mins – Wots gannin on – Dan to Tom shot cleared off the line and then Nathan hits a piledriver against the foot of the post and the ball falls to Brandon who scores 2 – 0. No the referee pulls the game up for offside, are you sure, it was misty!

25 mins- Brandon to Tom and with just the keeper to beat he saves it

Even though Newcastle EE where giving us a battle it was all Cougars but we only had one goal to show for our dominance as half-time approached but then…

29 mins – Dan takes a quick throw in and despite a blatant push on Tom he keeps his feet to make the score 2 – 0

30 mins – Kieran Barnes plays a majestic ball out of defence which Brandon flicks onto Tom to make the score 3 – 0

Lovely Jubillee!

Second Half Highlights

NEE are straight on the attack and only a last gasp excellent challenge from James saves a possible goal

NEE boys were a bit bigger than ours but as one shoulder barges Harry he gives as much back to let him know he is there

34 mins – Ohhhhh but hold on, time for some Brazilian magic from super-sub Jairo. He picks the ball up beats 4..5..6..7..8 players and then beats the corner flags and then plays it to Tom who makes no mistake to score his hat-trick to make the score 4 – 0 to the Cougars (expensive time for Mr Craig but he can afford it)!

Football can be a simple game when you can run with the ball at 100mph

Get this boy on a contract before Middlesboro come calling (Tom and Jairo) !

35 mins – Jairo is off again and this time the ball falls to Matthew Wilson just outside the box who just hits his piledriver wide.

36 mins – scramble in the box and Frog gets a toe to it to chip the NEE defence allowing guess who make it 5 – 0 (Tommy)

37 mins – Andrew clears the ball in close quarters but the ball rebounds of the NEE forward to allow him a free run in on goal to make the score 1 – 5

40 mins – Jairo to Matthew Adamson but his shot just goes wide

47 mins – Fantastic shot from 30 yards fro NEE player to make the score 2 – 5

The come back is on….as Sam is called upon to make a great save. Game is somewhat like the reverse fixture which just became a physical battle but full credit to the lads at the back who stood up to the challenge

55 mins – Jairo is causing havoc and again Matthew Wilson goes close with a daisycutter

57 mins – Leon’s time to do a couple of surging runs as well as making a big difference in the middle of the park adding a bit of steel

58 mins – Nathan who is playing well has a shot cleared off the line

 

Now for Haggerston Castle for football, beer and barbeques and hopefully lots of sunshinnnneeee

Oh and congratulations to Leon’s Dad who has hit the big 40 hope you have a nice birthday ……

Positives

Tom the goalscoring Machine
Jairo for his moments of brilliance – worth the admission cost alone!
A win is a win
Easter Eggs and Cake

Negatives

No Sunshinnnneeee

Remember, need to start thinking about the players player of the season, I think we know who has won the Golden Boot !

Courageous (10 Man) Cougars Feel The Heat!

Sunday 10 April 2011
Cramlington Blues 5  North Shields Cougars 1  (h/t 1-1)

Goal: Dan Henderson (assist: - Tom Craig)

Man of the Match: - Tom Craig - held the ball up well to give his midfield & defence a breather, ran & battled all match

Another fantastic day, temperatures soaring into the 90’s both on & off the pitch!!
Cougars took their injury ravaged side to the league leaders Cramlington Blues looking to put behind them their cup exit.
Unfortunately having no subs & only 10 men in the sweltering heat for 60 minutes took its toll. (Cramlington fielding a full strength squad of 11 players and 4 subs!)

Both Head Coach Gary & his trusty assistant Johnny were on a secret scouting mission to the far eastern shores of Europe (or was it the naturist beach at Brighton?) leaving all their trust in the more than capable hands of Paul Craig.

The list of missing players was like reading “Schindlers List”:

Jamie Balding                Visiting Dr Steadman in Germany for growth reduction therapy
Brandon Carr  On weekend loan to Barcelona helping them cement Champions
                                       League Title
Nathan Young                Extended Fitness Training on Bodmin Moore Firing Range
Mathew Adamson          On sabbatical
Leon Snowdon                Suffering from X-Box finger!

Paul gave the lads an unfamiliar 1-5-3 formation relying on the usual rear guard to try & keep out the Blues with Moo Moo playing the holding midfield role. Paul’s pre-match speech motivated the players to what should be one of their proudest performances of the season. EVERY player can hold their heads high & be pleased with their efforts & boy did they battle hard!!!
The 5-1 score line was by no means a true reflection of the game. The Cougars took a shock early lead & some resolute defending from all the players kept the frustrated Blues at bay. Maizy runs from Dan & Tom had the blues worried with two super saves from the blues goalkeeper keeping them in the match.
Moo Moo work tirelessly as he supported the lone striker & got in some timely tackles to thwart the Blues strikers. Matthew Wilson was a tower in midfield & helped keep the lads together mopping up all the loose balls. Jairo tracked back well & when he could put on the burners he was untouchable. James had an excellent game in an unfamiliar midfield role & he looked right at home running at the Blue’s defenders & taking the challenge to them. There was some exceptional tackling from Kieran, Harry & dependable Andrew whom I have never seen work so hard! Sam was rarely called upon in the first half but when needed he was there. The Cramlington goals all came from set pieces, namely from four corners (one of which was when we only had nine players on the pitch due to a player needing a much needed drink!!!) & a very dubious free kick!
The lads had been pre-briefed on their set piece threat but Cramlington's high balls & powerful crosses were just too hot to handle.

FIRST HALF

1 min - Cramlington are showing early pressure making their extra man count.

4 min – Goal! Battling midfield find Dan on the right wing, passes to Tom who returns the favour & Dan buries the ball into he Cramlington net.   1-0 to the Cougars

6 min – Cramlington break threw the rear guard & a speculative shot bounces of the cross bar.

8 min – Moo Moo is on the edge of the Cramlington box & shoots wide

10 min – Cramlington bustling the Cougars back, Harry puts in three excellent tackles to keep them at bay, the corner count is mounting up for the Blues!

16 min – Cramlington onto their 6th corner already! Cougars struggling to keep them at bay as shot after shot is cleared away, but the ball just keeps coming back.

20 min – Cramlington’s big No 9 bursts threw on goal only for Andrew to intercept with a timely tackle & out for another corner.

22 min – Cramlington really frustrated now (are they panicking? Losing against 10 men!).

23 min – Cougars midfield find a way threw, Tom picks up the ball & with pace fights his way past the Cramlington rear guard & finds an excellent pass to Dan who fires his shot onto the left hand post with the keeper well beaten!

25 min – good midfield battling finds James with the ball who picks out Tom with a pinpoint pass, Tom shoots but the keeper pulls of an excellent save with his feet.

28 min – Goal, another Cramlington corner finally results in the Cougars defence being breached.
Score now 1-1.

SECOND HALF
Our squad already looks tired, they all take on fluid & some are looking jaded & disappointed to concede so close to half time. Paul does his best to pick them up, Dan struggling with a thigh strain but wants to battle on for the cause.

32 min – Once Again Andrew called upon to save the day with an excellent tackle on Cramlington’s No 9.

33 min – Goal. Another devastating corner from Cramlington nestles in the back of the net.
2-1 Cramlington

34 min- Excellent tackling from Matthew Wilson denies the Cramlington midfield time to charge.

35 min - Goal. This time a dubious free kick is awarded to Cramlington. (I don’t think so!)
The free kick is powered into the box & is headed into the net.
3-1 Cramlington

37 min - Jairo puts on the style & leaves the Cramlington midfield for dead, puts in a great shot but the keeper saves with his feet.

40 min - Excellent sliding tackle from Harry stops the big No 10 a scoring opportunity.
Goal. As Cramlington are setting them selves for a corner Dan comes off the pitch for a minute to get water & stretch his injured thigh, Cramlington are not waiting for his return, so whilst down to 9 players they fire in a cheeky corner that is volleyed into the net!
4-1 Cramlington

43 min - Moo Moo slots a fantastic ball over the top of the Cramlington defence for Tom to run onto and as he lines up his shot the linesman lifts his flag for offside??!! I don’t think so, made my feelings felt by the crammy coach or should I say crabby coach. It was definitely on!!! Robbed!

46 min - Cramlingon break away & Sam pulls off an excellent save

48 min - Excellent tackle from Kieran keeps them out again.

50 min - Moo Moo keeps getting those hard tackles in, he’s playing out of his skin!

51 min - Goal. Yet another corner seals the Cougars fate.
5-1 Cramlington

53 min - Cougars still battling hard, all lads look exhausted and hot but Dan has an excellent maizy run down the right & crosses to Tom who hits the keeper with his shot.

60 min - Ref blows for full time, every Cougar Staggers off the pitch having given everything they had!!

WELL DONE BOYS!!! YOU SHOULD BE PROUD!!! YOU NEVER GAVE IN & BATTLED TO THE END!!!

POSITIVES
Absolutely fantastic team spirit!!
Every player committed themselves to a daunting task (playing league leaders with 10 men, no subs & at their home ground) Cramlington had a huge advantage playing with a full squad and able to sub regularly throughout the game.
They NEVER gave up
All Parents should be proud of their son’s achievement’s today

Sunderland lost 3-2 (only1 point from 8 games!!!)

NEGATIVES

Just a minor one, that I don’t want to mention really because they played their hearts out,
slight inability to deal with Cramlington’s corners - however the pressure on them was tremendous!
Newcastle Lost 1-0

Cougars ROAR is back as Tom destroys Ashington in the first half

League Cup Round 3

Ashington 2 North Shields Cougars 6 (H/T 1 – 4)

Goal 1:- Tom Craig (assist: - any ideas who passed the ball?)
Goal 2:- Brandon Carr (assist: - Tom Craig)
Goal 3:- Tom Craig (assist: - Matthew Wilson)
Goal 4:- Leon Snowdon (assist: - Ashington Defender)
Goal 5:- Jairo Simao (no assist awarded)
Goal 6:- Nathan Young (assist: - Leon Snowdon)

Man of the Match: - Nathan Young (closely followed by Jamie Balding)
Player of the Week: - Dan Henderson

The Cougars travelled up to Ashington for a league cup 3rd round clash with Ashington a team we had beaten 4-0 earlier on in the season but that scoreline didn’t do justice to how close that game was.

The Cougars were without defensive lynchpins James Percy and Kieran Barnes, so going into this match we were really struggling for defenders. But Dan Henderson slotted into right back and big Jamie Balding was exceptional as centre half going on to have his best match for the Cougars.

First Half

2 mins – Sam pulls out a top save to keep Ashington at bay

4 mins – Goal 1 – 0 A long ball over the top and Tom was off after it but with 3 defenders blocking his path to goal he just barged through them and then side footed the ball past the keeper, reminiscent of Malcolm Macdonald scoring against Liverpool on his debut for the Toon!

12 mins – Goal 1 – 1 A wonder goal by Ashington when a strike comes in from 30 yards giving Sam absolutely no chance

15 mins – Goal 2 -1 Cougars go straight down the other end. A long throw in from Rory Delap (aka Tom) and Brandon Carr times his run to perfection to score and boy did he enjoy his goal celebration

It’s all Ashington pressure now with corner after corner, but big Matthew Wilson leaps like a trout to head clear. Despite all this pressure Sam is rarely troubled in goal as its backs against the walls for the Cougars as they desperately hang onto their slender lead.

24 mins – Goal 3 -1 Matthew Wilson plays an excellent long ball over the Ashington back line and he is there again, Tom Craig to burst through and score – SUPERMAC
(With his head and his fatha owes him a fiver!)

25 mins – This time Leon puts Tom through for his hat-trick but the keeper foils him

30 mins – Goal 4 – 1 Leon breaks it the box and with a powerful cross shot it deflects off the Ashington defender and in.

So despite having maybe only 30% possession in the first half and maybe six shots at goal we go in 4-1 up – fantastic. A lot of that was down to the back four, Dan and Harry never put a foot wrong, Andrew as usual was Mr Consistent with his pace at the back and big Jamie Balding who won everything and distributed the ball well from the back. Well played Jamie you were outstanding

Shock news – As Tom is onto score a hat-trick his fatha decides to take him to Karate at half-time to save him a few quid.

Second Half

Don’t worry Matthew Adamson (aka Frogster) comes off the bench and our Jairo, not bad substitutions?

32 mins – Goal 5 – 1 Jairo needs 2 minutes to make an instant impact. He picks the ball up just passed the half way line, puts his turbo boosters on and suddenly he goes past three defenders and is on the corner of the box. He looks up and curls a fantastic shot over the keeper and into the top corner of the net - GGGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL

Goal of the Season and certainly up there with Brandon’s strike against Cramlington.

35 mins – Goal 5 – 2 Cougars let in abit of a soft goal which raises the hopes of the Ashington faithful

38 mins – Brandon hits the woodwork

41 mins – Jairo hits the bar after another run from the half way line

42 mins – The influential Ashington number 11 had been rattled all day with the tigerish tackling off Matthew Wilson and Matthew Morley, suddenly lost it and starting hitting out at Harry.

You don’t pick a fight with the hardest man in North Shields, Harry Clark (Arm Wrestling King)!

Ashington are rattled and the number 11 is substituted before he is sent off, Andrew and Jamie bring calm to the proceedings nullifying the Ashington strike force.

Matthew Morley yet again outstanding in the middle of the park and Matthew Wilson was back to his best.

45 mins – Matthew Adamson breaks free and then checks back and then lobs the keeper but it just goes past the post

47 mins – Leon hits the post directly from a corner

52 mins – More Cougars pressure from a corner and the ball falls to Matthew Wilson at the edge of the box but his shot just goes wide

59 mins – Its Nathan time to hit the woodwork

60 mins – Goal 6 – 2 Leon gets to the line and crosses for Nathan to score from 5 yards. Well done Blondie you know you can do it, lets have the form you displayed in the opening game of the season when you were lethal in front of goal!

Positives

1. Soaked up the pressure and finished them off with clinical finishing
2. 100% better than last week
3. Tom Craig in the first half – brought back memories of Malcolm Macdonald
4. Jamie Balding – fantastic
5. Jairo – wonder goal

Negatives

A big fat ZERO!

We play Red House Farm first team next Sunday in round four of the League Cup at home. Yes we will be underdogs but remember how we played against Wallsend Boys Club!!!

Proud of our Boys !

Sunday 6th March 2011
Semi-Final of FA Cup
Wallsend Boys Club 7 North Shields Cougars 0 (H/T 2 – 0)

Man of the Match: - Leon Snowdon

Player of the Week: - James Percy

The Cougars travelled to the world famous Wallsend Boys club for the FA Cup semi-final and a place in the final awaited the winners at Newcastle United’s training ground.

Very impressed with the new ground and clubhouse on show at Wallsend and I’m sure in time North Shields will have something similar. The playing surface was excellent, the only issue was my sat nav sent me to Benfield Road!

The Cougars knew they had a mountain to climb here against the current league leaders in Division one but went on to produce their best performances of team football in the opening 30 mins.

Gary went for a 4-5-1 formation with the pacey Jairo leading the front line in the first half. Wallsend were certainly scared of Jairo’s pace as I overheard discussions on the touchline from the Wallsend Mafia or was it their numerous scouts!

For the opening 20 minutes, Wallsend could not break the Cougars down and even when they did the impressive Sam Garfoot showed what an outstanding keeper he can be on his day. The highlight, and it has to be the save of the season, was his penalty save when he dived full length to push the ball around the post, and guess what, his Mam was making a cup of tea at the time !

The Cougars back four played a straight back line led by Jamesy and with Jamie and the sleepy Andrew at the back (apparently he had been on the pop the night before!) they all played consistently well, closing their man down each time and timing their tackles well.

Jamie was unlucky for their third goal when a shot hit his head and left Sam flat footed.

Moo Moo was absolutely outstanding in the middle of the park showing he has the pedigree to play at the top level getting tackle after tackle in and young Harry displayed his pretty new boots but carried on with his determined displays of late!

A special mention for young Kieran Barnes as well who is getting better and better and is developing into one of the best right backs in the league. Must be that Guinness & ginger cake his dad makes – I hope that makes a return before the end of the season but with custard (got my vote)!

Dan Henderson was impressive on the right wing and back to his best with trickery and often beating two and three men but with no outlet he eventually got closed down. Reminds me of a young Chrissy Waddle/James Milner!

The Cougars did have a couple of opportunities to get back into the game when the score line was 0-2, both fell to the hard working Tom and I have to say he was very unlucky. First of all he broke past a young Steve Bruce and with just the keeper to beat shaved the post, and secondly again with just the keeper to beat he took his measured shot early which took the keeper by surprise but this time he got his fingertips to it.

Nathan, Leon, Brandon and Matthew Wilson all put a shift in for the team and worked their socks off. They all grafted hard and linked well with the defence and forwards.

Matthew Adamson came on to chants of “feed the frog and he will score” but not even the super-sub could get a sniff of goal. Must be watching Paul Chow week in and week out at Whitley Bay that gives him a predatory instinct in front of goal.

Talking about Whitley Bay they are in the semi-final of the FA Vase, could it be three Wembley trips in succession? I’ll let you know who we get in the semi-final if you fancy a Saturday afternoon out at Hillheads.

Lets take this performance into our remaining league games and win the lot, anything is possible I just noticed Morpeth got beat 5 -3 off Red House Flames this weekend.

Good to see our defending from Corners has improved as well, the intense midweek training session has payed off.

Well done everybody

 

Cougars get the Blues!

Sunday 27th February 2011
NMSL Division 3
North Shields Cougars 2 Cramlington Blues 4 (H/T 1 – 2)

Goalscorers:-

Jairo Simao (double assist awarded to Brandon Carr and Tom Craig)
Matthew Adamson (assist awarded to Leon Snowdon)

Man of the Match: - Jairo Simao

On what started as a bright sunny morning the storm clouds gathered as the Cougars battled it out against Cramlington Blues one of the favourites for the league title.

The Cougars were nearly at full strength, only Dan Henderson who was only 50% fit decided to pull on the shirt to fight for the cause and young Andrew was struggling at half time.

First Half

The Cougars looked like the potential league champions in the opening 20 minutes as they pushed Crammy Blues back with a mixture of skill and determined play

5 mins – Tom Craig just wide

6 mins – Jairo plays in Tom and again just wide

Harry Clark was defending well as he was leathering the ball clear from defence, now only if he could convert that power into a free kick, he had the kick of a mule!

11 mins – Goal 1 – 0 - Moo Moo breaks through the crammy rearguard but is forced wide for a corner. Brandon takes the corner which causes panic in the crammy defence, Tom get a flick, and Jairo pounces with a diving header to make it 1-0 to the Cougars

Young Kieran is defending well clearing his lines and getting his tackles in

13 mins – Crammy win a corner, and Sam gets his fingertips to it to claw the ball off the line

19 mins – Brandon beats two but is clinically brought down outside the box to shouts of “straight red ref” but a free kick is awarded. From a full 30 yards Brandon hits the inside of the post and as the ball bounces along the goal line both Tom and Moo Moo just fail to get the vital touch.

That turned out to be a decisive moment as Crammy started to lift their game and take the game to Cougars and started to boss possession in the middle of the park.

24 mins – Danger man Brandon was through with just the keeper to beat but the big Crammy keeper stood his ground, that could of and should have been at least number three!

28 mins – Goal 1 – 1 – The ball bobbled around the Cougars box and wasn’t cleared and somewhat against the run of play Crammy equalised.

30 mins – Goal 1 – 2 – Sucker punch…..In the space of two minutes the game had turned on its head, as a yet another corner kick was to be our downfall, as a Crammy forward was left un-challenged to head home.

The lads left the field bitterly dejected knowing we should have been ahead at half time and Gary had a job on his hand lifting his team.

Second half

Ex - Cramlington centre half Jamie Balding entered the fray along with Leon the Lion to add some metal to a tiring Cougars team.

Jamie was in the thick of it straight away and Leon was trying to get a grip on midfield.

31 mins – Tom who had run himself into the ground, broke through yet again and hit a magnificent shot that looked destined for the top corner but somehow the impressive Crammy Blues keeper got a finger tip on it and it just cleared the bar - Unbelievable save reported from the sky sports reporter

For the next 20 mins Crammy ran the show and pinned back an unlucky Cougars Team who had given everything and were starting to look low on confidence

38 mins – Goal 1 – 3 A corner comes in a somehow it ends up in the net – apparently it came of a Cougars player and was an own goal

Both the Matthew’s in the middle of the park are struggling to keep a foothold as it appears Crammy have a 12th man and we are struggling to re-gain our momentum.

Andrew is having a busy game in central defence but Mr Reliable never put a foot wrong

44 mins – Matthew Wilson had a shot but there was no way past the commanding keeper.

Jamesy playing back to his best times a great tackle in the box to concede a corner. We are hanging on.

48 mins – Goal 1 – 4 Heads are certainly down now, as yet another corner is swung in and it takes a deflection into our net. Sam had no chance with any of the goals (two own goals!) We need to stop the ball coming past the first post, and if it does we need somebody to attack it in the middle….

Offside “what offside, I could see that wasn’t offside with my one eye” classic!!!! (The least said the better)

So Crammy score three out of their four goals from corners – Training on Wednesday!

Gary with his last throw of the dice brings on super – sub Matthew Adamson who has an instant impact.

53 mins – Goal 2 – 4 Leon plays a great one-two with Frog and breaks up the wing and crosses to the Frogster who turns on a sixpence to lose his marker and hit hard and low into the corner 2 – 4.

The Cougars Roar is back…….

55 mins – Cougars are on a march, first of all Nathan is unlucky not to score after a great run into the box and then Jairo has a chance to get another goal back but his shot is saved.

In the end Crammy deserved the points but the score line could have been so different……

Positives –     Outstanding opening 20 mins and final 5 mins
                        Frog one shot one goal (had to get that one in!)
                        Some decent performances but not for 60 mins

Negatives –   Three goals conceded from corners
                        Shooting practice needed – when you face a big keeper,  keep                    them hard and low
                        Fitness looked a bit jaded in the second half or was it just                              Crammy were super fit?
                        With Dan being unfit we had lost our most cultured midfielder
                        Not often our midfield is out fought

So it’s looking like a three way fight for the title between Crammy Yellows/Blues and Morpeth at the mo.
The Cougars can push for fourth in my view and a Europa Cup spot and hopefully still upset some of the big boys!
Anyway, I like League Division 3; we are at exactly the right level and still think on our day we are capable of beating anybody in this league.

I think it’s an easy away game next at Wallsend Boys Club in the Cup, so a chance for Gary to play some fringe players.

 

Unlucky 13, but not for the Cougars, as Brandon Carr and Moo Moo Morley both hit hat-tricks

Sunday 23rd January 2011
NABC Division 3
Ryton AFC 0 North Shields Cougars 13 (H/T 0 – 6)

Man of the Match: - Matthew Wilson
Player of the week: - Harry Clark

Goal 1 – Tom Craig and assist awarded to Matthew Wilson
Goal 2 – Brandon Carr and assist awarded to Kieran Barnes
Goal 3 – Matthew Morley (no assist awarded)
Goal 4 – Brandon Carr and assist awarded to Tom Craig
Goal 5 – Nathan Young and double assist awarded to Matthew Morley and Tom Craig
Goal 6 – Brandon Carr and assist awarded to Nathan Young
Goal 7 – Dan Henderson and assist awarded to Jairo Simao
Goal 8 – Leon Snowdon and assist awarded to Matthew Morley
Goal 9 - Matthew Morley and assist awarded to Leon Snowdon
Goal 10 – Matthew Wilson (no assist awarded)
Goal 11 – Matthew Adamson and assist awarded to Dan Henderson
Goal 12 – Matthew Morley and assist awarded to Jairo Simoa
Goal 13 – Matthew Wilson and assist awarded to Jairo Simoa

 The Cougars played Ryton at their picturesque ground with a steam train in the distance (or was it a factory) and Black Beauty the horse swelling a large expectant crowd.

The Cougars had already defeated Ryton twice this season, 7-2 in the league and 7-0 in the cup, so we were expecting a victory but not as easy as the game turned out.

Only James Percy missing and rumours around the ground was that Steve Bruce (Sunderland) has put in 7 days notice for him so he can spend the Darren Bent money. I fancied taking the horse home for a club mascot but it would not fit in the car!

Despite being in a picturesque peaceful setting that was about to change as the bellows from the Ryton Manager reverberated around the ground as the game kicked off – no wonder his team looked pensive and nervous!

Matthew Wilson was named team captain as he led the team out knowing that a victory would put us in a strong position in the league. In fact shock news filtered through in that runaway leaders Crammy Yellows had been beaten by Crammy Blues, so the quadruple is still on with us going well in 3 cup competitions.  The Cougars certainly are representing North Shields Juniors well this season led by their charismatic manager Gary Clark and his experienced training staff of Johnny Wilson (ex Rockcliffe rugby prop forward) and Paul Craig (ex Middlesborough) !

I won’t give a blow by blow account of the game as to many goals to mention but here are the highlights:-

1. Six match unbeaten run
2. Brandon Carr – what a player and what a hat trick, especially his second when Kieran Barnes won a crunching tackle in midfield and passed to Brandon who beat two players and chipped the keeper from 20 yards.
3. Brandon has quick feet and gives Gary yet another attacking option
4. Moo Moo – played defensive midfield yet scores a hat trick – unbelievable, or was it he spotted a weakness in the goalie’s kicking
5. When you win 13-0 you have to keep your concentration at the back to keep a clean sheet – Take a bow – Sam/Harry/Kieran/Andrew/Jamie
6. What are the odds on winning 13-0 and Jairo not scoring, but hey Jairo you got a hat trick of assists!
7. 4 trophies to fight for in coming months
8. Andrew Mitcheson – great pace sweeping up the back just like Paulo Maldini
9. Was that Harry Clark playing like Ashley Cole on the left as an attacking wing-back
10.  Big Jamie read the game well and some excellent distribution from the back
11.  Captain Fantastic – Matthew Wilson
12.  Leon – powerful running and a great goal
13.  Matthew “Frogster” Adamson – lethal finish from 2 yards!
14.  Dan – great wing play and another goal
15.  Tom – leading the way for the “Golden Boot”
16.  Nathan – back to scoring ways after his hat trick on opening day and some great corners
17. Crammy Yellows beaten, all we need now is for Morpeth to drop points
18. Blyth Rangers in the cup next – seven unbeaten?

The scores on the doors are as follows:-

As you can see the goals are being spread out which is fantastic

Tom Craig 8
Jairo Simoa 7
Matthew Wilson 7
Brandon Carr 6
Matthew Morley 5
Nathan Young 5
Matthew Adamson 4
Dan Henderson 3
Leon Snowdon 3

 

Division Cup - Sunday 16th January 2011
Wallsend Community 2 North Shields Cougars 5 (H/T 2-4)

Man of the Match :- Dan Henderson
Player of the week :- Tom Craig

Goal 1:- Dan Henderson with assist from Nathan Young
Goal 2:- Jairo with assist from Brandon Carr
Goal 3:- Matthew Wilson (no assist awarded)
Goal 4:- Dan Henderson with assist from Leon Snowdon
Goal 5:- Tom Craig with assist from Nathan Young

Cougars storm into semi-final of cup with new signing Henderson hitting a brace

The Cougars played their first game for over two months against Wallsend Community in the Division Cup and despite a poor  first half performance they went on to totally dominate the second half and are now just one game away from Wembley.  All the boys seem to have new boots off Santa, Matthew Wilson with nice putrid green stripes but even worse the Frogster (aka Matthew Adamson) wearing bright pink !

First Half

1 min - Nathan played in Jairo and his shot was cleared off the line, surely there was not going to be a cup upset here unlike how Stevenage disposed of the Toon.
3 min - A free kick was awarded to Wallsend which was floated in and with the Cougars rear guard asleep the striker headed in a great goal 0-1
5 min - A great interchange of passing between Jamie and Dan as the Cougars started to cause Wallsend problems up the right wing.
7 min - The Cougars back 4 were defending deep and there was a massive void between our midfield and back 4, this allowed Wallsend to attack us on the breakaway with some purpose, and they nearly went two nil up but shot narrowly over the bar - something for Gary to work on in training on Wednesday.
10 min - The Cougars won a corner, which Nathan Young sent in with a great delivery allowing new 5 million pound signing Dan Henderson to pop up and score his first goal for the club 1-1.
12 min - What is going on, Wallsend striker Ronnie Radford drifts in to make it 1-2 to Wallsend, are we on the verge of a massive cup upset with Wallsend being in Division 6!
13 min - Jamie off and Andrew on as we try and deal with the pacey Wallsend front men
13 min - Should have been 1-3 to Wallsend as Andrew and James are caught flat footed but just wide. This two month lay-off has had its effect.
16 min - Fantastic wing play by Brandon beating three men and crossing for Jairo to slot the ball home to make it 2-2
19 min - Crunching tackle by Leon but fair and then Harry muscles in
20 min - Normality is restored when midfield maestro Matthew Wilson wins the ball, beats two men and fires hard and low into the corner 3-2. Cometh the hour cometh Stevie G !
24 min - Wallsend ain't finished yet and Sam is called into action to make a fine save and first Harry then Jamie hack the ball clear
25 min - Great wing play by Dan this time setting up Nathan and then Brandon but both efforts just go wide
28 min - Matthew Wilson with a cross come shot, keeper drops the ball and Nathan hits the side netting
29 min - Cougars win a free kick and Leon hammers one in and after a couple of deflections there is Dan Henderson to make it 4-2

Second Half

31 min - Moo Moo goes close to adding to his recent goals
32 min - Matthew Wilson breaks through three challenges but drags his shot just wide
33 min - Its all Cougars now as Leon goes close followed by Tom just going wide
39 min - Wallsend breakaway but a timely interception first by Kieran and followed by Jamesy
40 min - Great play by Matthew Adamson beating his man and playing a slide ruler pass to Tom who, with just the keeper to beat, skims the post
45 min - Moo Moo with half a chance but saved and then the boy Wilson is over the bar with a free kick
47 min - Matthew Adamson's shot is saved by the keeper and then Kieran comes on a storming run from the back, beats three players but loses control at the vital moment.
50 min - Cougars win a corner and Nathan puts in an absolutely dream of a corner which misses everybody at the near post leaving Tom with a simple tap in to make it 5-2
58 min - Nathan's shot is cleared off the line

Positive's

1. 5 match unbeaten run
2. Man of the Match performance from Dan Henderson, two goals and a real cultured player,
     closely followed by Matthew Wilson who also was outstanding
3. 90% possession in second half
4. Two fantastic corners from Nathan
5. Brandon showing signs of his trickery on the wings
6. Great to be playing football again

Negative's

1. Terrible opening 20 mins - put this down to the two month lay off
2. Massive void between our back 4 and midfield, defence sitting too far back or midfield too far
     forward
3. Lucky mackems getting an equaliser as we got into our cars

 

Cougars now unbeaten in four matches with Tom and Moo Moo very impressive!

North Shields Cougars 4 Ashington 0 (H/T 1-0)
Pinpoint Division 3
Sunday 14th November 2010

Goalscorers:-

Goal 1 – Tom Craig (Assist – Matthew Morley)
Goal 2 – Jairo Simoa (Assist – Matthew Adamson)
Goal 3 – Matthew Morley (Assist – Tom Craig & Dan Henderson)
Goal 4 – Matthew Wilson (Assist – Tom Craig)

Man of the Match – Tom Craig
Player of the Week – Matthew Morley

The Cougars came up against an Ashington team just one place below them in the League. A bit of a six pointer this, knowing a win could put us in the top 3 or a defeat would put us in the bottom 3 pending results elsewhere. The Cougars probably played one of their best games with a complete team performance from start to finish.

Gary had a full strength squad to pick from and new signing from Tynemouth Dan Henderson was named as one of the substitutes on the bench. In fact shock news from Gary’s team selection, our midfield talisman/general Matthew Wilson was on the bench for kick-off along with Kieron & Matthew Adamson. News circulated in the papers that day that these players had been caught on an all night bender in the big market the night before the game whilst parents were boozing it up at the race night!

Punishment will be a week at Kevin Nolan’s house!

Before kick-off the players observed a one minute’s silence impeccably for all those brave soldiers who gave their lives in the World Wars.

First Half

Gary further tinkered with team selection with Jamie Balding moving to right back and Andrew Mitcheson playing centre half alongside the ever dependable James Percy. A lot of this is down to the impressive form of Harry Clark at left back and this now allows Gary five outright defenders to choose from, an area of the squad previously where he didn’t have much flexibility. Our other defender Kieron was on the bench as mentioned above.

5 mins – Good interplay between Leon and Brandon allowed Nathan a shot on goal but sharpshooter Nathan hasn’t found his shooting boots since he hit a hat-trick against Montague on the first day of the season – this time his shot well cleared the bar but we all know what Nathan is capable of.

9 mins – Nathan who is having a good game early on sends in a perfect corner but after Leon gets a shot in which is blocked Jairo’s attempt goes over the bar.

10 mins – Sam again demonstrates his good handling with a cross – he simply doesn’t drop anything and must be England’s number one.

12 mins – Harry Clark mis-times a tackle to the annoyance of the Ashington parents and gives them a free-kick in a dangerous position. This results in a massive scramble in the box and it takes Jamie and Andrew to boot it clear.

14 mins – Tom is having an impressive game with his pace up front, this time he breaks clear and is 1 on 1 with there keeper who just beats Tom to the ball.

16 mins – GOAL 1 – 0         Great battling by Matthew Morley in midfield sets Tom free on goal and he chips the keeper from 20 yards to give the Cougars a well deserved lead. Fantastic finish Tom.

17 mins – Jairo puts his turbo boosters on from midfield and within a blink of an eye he is 1 on 1 with their keeper but the keeper makes a fantastic save.

20 mins – Ashington start to dominate possession and pin the Cougars back in their half with a succession of corners but despite excellent deliveries into the box there is no way past the determined Cougars rearguard.

25 mins – Jairo sets off on another 50 yard lung bursting run and with just the keeper to beat blazes his shot wide.

29 mins – Sam pulls off a blinding save as Ashington crank up the pressure

30 mins – Our danger man Tom is taking off the field injured as Ashington start to get a bit physical. In response Gary sends on our big six footer warhorse Matthew Adamson (aka Duncan Ferguson) to ruffle a few feathers!

Half-Time comes with the score 1 - 0 to the Cougars but only just

Second Half

On come the cavalry with Matthew Wilson, Dan, Kieron and Frog entering the fray.

31 mins – Matthew Wilson has an immediate impact beating four players with a mazy run on the edge of the box but his shot is parried to Jairo who must score but somehow the ball ends up in the keeper’s hands.

33 mins – A mix up at the back between Harry and Sam allows Ashington a chance to score but they hit the side netting.

40 mins – GOAL 2 – 0         Matthew Adamson breaks free of the Ashington defence and with him closing in on goal Jairo takes over the ball, this time he composes himself and blasts the ball into the net.

42 mins – New signing Dan Henderson shows the showboating of the day with a sublime drag back and ball up the wing. Early impressions of Dan with his continental flair and skill developed on the sunny beaches of the long sands in Tynemouth were clearly on display!

45 mins – All out attack by Ashington as they must have had six corners in succession, the Cougars goal led abit of a charmed life but credit again must go to our defence for a dogged display with James Percy and Andrew Mitcheson prominent at the back.

47 mins – Fantastic header clear from Matthew Wilson from an Ashington corner, leapt like a trout!

48 mins – Ashington score but it’s ruled offside, as words of discontent rumble towards the Linesman from the Ashington gathering. In fact after that decision Ashington started to lose their discipline with some border line tackling.

49 mins – But whatever Ashington throw at us Leon the Lion can give twice as much back!

49 mins – Just to even things up Dan Henderson scored but it was ruled offside. Come on let the lad score on his debut it happens in the Roy of the Rovers comic’s!

51 mins – GOAL 3 – 0         The vital third goal comes, again a fantastic bit of play by Dan put Tom through on goal who unselfishly squares the ball to Matthew Morley who makes no mistake (Moo Moo has now scored in successive matches and is looking on top form)

55 mins – GOAL 4 – 0         Tom plays the ball to Matthew Wilson who spots the keeper off his line a scores a raker from 25 yards. That’s Matthew Wilson’s third goal in three games and is on top form and I’m putting him in my fantasy football team as a goalscoring midfielder.

57 mins – Moo Moo to Matthew Wilson again but his shot is saved

58 mins – Even Kieron has a crack at goal from 30 yards but it is saved. One day Kieron it will come if you eat more of that Ginger and Guinness cake!

The back four are looking a tight compact unit with Jamie reading the game well at right back and the pace of Andrew sweeping up at the back, along with Mr Consistent James Percy and great new left back Harry Clark. Add to this Kieron who is a tough tackling versatile player as well it all adds upto our second successive clean sheet.

Can they make it three in a row against Newcastle Milan!

 

Full-Time       North Shields Cougars 4 Ashington 0

Positives –

1. Another clean sheet for our brilliant defence, well done – Sam, Kieran, James, Jamie, Harry and Andrew
2. Tom Craig was outstanding in the first half and run them ragged
3. Matthew “Moo Moo” Morley – outstanding display in the middle of the park, fantastic engine
4. Dan Henderson – Impressive display with silky skills and worth every bit his £5 million pound transfer fee
5. Fantastic food yet again with “Come dine with the Cougars”
6. Gary on target to be manager of the month for November with a four match unbeaten run

 

Negatives –

1. I think we play Newcastle City Milan away next Sunday in the cup. They are top of the first division and beat our top team 7-1.
2. No doubt Gary will be playing 10 in defence and play the long ball to Jairo in an attempt to pull off the biggest cup upset ever. 1-0 in the 60th minute will do me!
3. If we win Gary should get the freedom of North Shields (whatever that means)!

 

 

Jairo hits first half hat-trick as Cougars on their way to Wembley in two cup competitions within 7 days!

The Shield
Sunday 7th November
North Shields Cougars 7 Ryton AFC 0 (H/T 4-0)

Goal 1:- Jairo Simoa (assist: - Matthew Wilson)
Goal 2:- Matthew Wilson (assist: - Nathan Young)
Goal 3:- Jairo Simoa (assist: - Leon Snowdon)
Goal 4:- Jairo Simoa (assist: - Matthew Adamson)
Goal 5:- Leon Snowdon
Goal 6:- Matthew Morley (assist: - Tom Craig)
Goal 7:- Tom Craig (assist: - James Percy)

Man of the Match: - Matthew Wilson
Player of the Week: - Jairo Simoa

The Cougars had a full strength squad going into our Shield game against lowly Ryton, a team we have already beaten 7 -2 earlier on in the season in the league.

Potential new signing Dan Henderson from Tynemouth or is it Real Madrid was spotted in the Director’s box with his foreign agent as the paperwork had not come through on time, although he would have been cup-tied in any case. Although an extra body is most welcome, Gary will be thinking long and deep about how to accommodate young Dan who I’m sure will be an excellent addition to the squad – if he can get into the team!

First Half

Harry Clark was named as captain after some impressive displays at left back recently showing leadership qualities

1 min – James Percy down injured after just returning from injury, we feared the worst but he was ok to carry on as Jamie looks on thinking “its ok we can play three at the back”

2 min – Matthew Wilson plays a fantastic pass to Matthew Adamson who beats the offside trap and after running 30 yards and with just the keeper to beat he uncharacteristically just misses the target

2 min – GOAL 1-0 - Matthew Wilson breaks into the box and with a cross come shot that comes off the keeper, Jairo is there to pounce and make it 1-0

3 min – Ryton who to be fair looked better organised than last time, went close, but Kieran does well to clear the danger

6 min – Matthew Adamson breaks into the box and goes around the keeper then is taken down from behind. Looked like a penalty to me but then again I’m biased, and the ref doesn’t want to know.

 

10 min – GOAL 2-0 – Great play by Nathan Young with his quick thinking by doing a throw-in to Matthew Wilson who ghosts around the back of the Ryton defence.  From a tight angle he shoots across the keeper and into the corner of the net – “Gerrard is back in goalscoring form”.

11 min – Matthew Wilson who is having his best game of the season puts Jairo through but he hits the post and then Brandon is just wide

15 min – Leon with a thirty yarder but well saved by the impressive Ryton keeper. He really knew how to command his box and saved Ryton on a number of occasions when we sprung the offside trap.

16 min – GOAL 3-0 Matthew Wilson plays Leon in and he storms through the Ryton defence and smashes into the keeper, the ball breaks free and there is Jairo with an easy tap in

19 min – Jamie Balding is marshalling the defence well and up against some big Ryton lads

 

23 min – GOAL 4-0 Matthew Wilson is certainly finding his man with his passing, putting Matthew Adamson through again but the keeper just beats him to it. From the resulting goalkick Matthew Adamson intercepts which allows Jairo a free run on goal as his afterburners cut through the mud and leave the Ryton defence trailing in his wake to score easily and complete his hat-trick.

Well done Jairo – hope you got a signed matchball!

25 min – Matthew Wilson again puts Leon in on goal but with a 1 on 1 the keeper wins this battle. Leon deserves a goal and is having no luck.

28 min – Kieran puts Brandon in but another great save from the Ryton Keeper

Half – Time 4-0 – Its all Cougars although Sam has had a couple of saves to make to keep him awake.

Second Half

Returning from a lengthy lay off, on comes the Cougars engine Moo Moo followed by James Mitcheson and Tom the Tank.

31 min – Sam pulls of a fantastic save, as the loud Ryton manager bellows out for more from his players

34 min – Leon has another go from 30 yards but just wide – sure your goal will come Leon to put a smile on your face!

37 min – Miss of the Season - Moo Moo puts in Tom with a great cross and with an open goal in front of him and two yards from the line.  Somehow the ball hits his shin and rolls wide – might look back at that one when the “golden boot” is handed out at the end of the season!   At least he has a smile on his face cos he knows it will be on one of those golden goofs videos for Xmas!

38 min – Harry puts Tom in but again just wide with his effort

40 min – Jairo beats three players and passes to Harry who must score but somehow shoots wide (Is Harry trying to get on the video as well!)

40 min – Tom must score but well saved by the Ryton keeper

41 min – Leon is totally taken out in the box, must be a penalty, but the ref isn’t having it – stonewaller!

43 min – GOAL 5-0 – Leon eventually shows them how it’s done picking up a loose ball outside the box and this time rifling the ball into the corner of the net.

A reward to Leon for scoring is the gaffa moves him to Centre Half.
Matthew Adamson back on and in the right back position in an attempt to secure up the defence to try and get the first clean sheet of the season.

45 min – GOAL 6-0 Tom passes the ball to Moo Moo who turns on a sixpence to score his first goal of the season for the Cougars – well done Moo Moo!

46 min – The boy Wilson with a 35 yarder saved (must have been watching Gerrard in mid-week score his hat-trick)

48 min – GOAL 7-0 James who is playing really impressively at the back has a ten minute purple patch with class defending and distribution. This time he wins the ball takes it on his left foot and plays the pass of the match upto Tom, who’s first shot is saved, but he gets to the rebound first to score

50 min – James Mitcheson puts some determined tackling in to keep that Cougars clean sheet

55 min – Gordon Banks save from Sam – Sam comes out but is beaten to the ball, as he is running back a shot hits Nathan I think and rebounds into Sam’s hands on the line – Sam’s Mama goes hysterical with that save “Oh my darling” she shouts!

 Full – Time 7-0
Positives –

1. Firstly special mention for Karl’s ginger and Guinness cake absolutely fantastic, but next time could you bring some custard!
2. Seven fantastic goals but could have been at least Twelve!
3.Three cheers for all the lads who played in defence and got us our first clean sheet – Sam, Kieran, Jamie, James, Harry and later Andrew, Leon and Matthew Adamson
4. Matthew Wilson – majestic play in the middle of the park – no Simon you can’t have him
5. Three matches unbeaten run – Ashington next Sunday
6. And last but not least – Three cheers for the magnificent Jairo, the fastest boy on earth and no Simon you can’t have him!

 

Just a perfect weekend for the Cougars!

1. Cougars are on the way to Wembley
2. Halloween fund raising cycle ride a total success!
3. Toon stuff Mackems 5 – 1 !!!!!

League Cup
Saturday October 30th
North Shields Cougars 3 Morpeth SC Lions 1 (H/T 1-1)

Goalscorers:-

Goal 1 - Nathan Young (assist: - Tom Craig)
Goal 2 - Matthew Wilson
Goal 3 - Matthew Adamson (assist: - Nathan Young)

Man of the Match – Leon Snowdon

Player of the Week – Jamie Balding

The Cougars squad was looking threadbare for this League Cup tie with no Matthew Morley, Jairo or Andrew Mitcheson so we only had 11 players against a full strength Morpeth side with 3 players on the bench but we welcomed back James Percy from injury.

Gary had given his orders not to take Morpeth lightly and the Cougars gave a thoroughly professional performance in order to progress to the next round of the cup. Morpeth are currently lying second top of the sixth division but are free scoring.

Matthew Adamson fresh from his stint in hospital took the captain’s armband.

First Half

2 mins – GOAL 1 – 0 Tom takes a long throw in and Matthew Adamson misses his header, but with his back to goal Nathan Young somehow scores kicking the ball over his shoulder and over the keepers head. An absolute dream start for a Cougars team that normally start off slowly.

5 mins – Leon Snowdon just wide with a drive

7 mins – Jamie Balding called upon to clear the danger

8 mins – Great interchange of passing between Tom and Leon puts Tom through on goal but the keeper beats him to the loose ball.

10 mins – The Morpeth number 8 looks a class player, he has a lot of pace and times his runs well to beat the offside trap and is giving Kieron Barnes a hard time. But credit to Kieron who stuck to his task and eventually nullified the threat of their number 8, especially in the second half. He may of got past Kieran a couple of times early on but that was it as Kieran puts in a psycho Stuart Pearce tackle on the edge of the box – His fatha says nowt to do with me but he was just a tad late !

11 mins – Matthew Wilson 30 yarder is saved by the Morpeth keeper.

14 mins – Sam pulls of a great save from the Morpeth number 8.

16 mins – GOAL 1 – 1         A Morpeth player breaks into the box and Matthew Wilson is adjudged to of fouled and gives away a penalty. A harsh decision in my view as I thought you were allowed to do a slight shoulder charge. Despite Sam diving the right way the ball ends up in the net.

21 mins – Leon is having an outstanding game and his best in a Cougars shirt, this time he beats 3 players in a determined run but is wide with his shot.

30 mins – Brandon gets free from his marker and puts in a great cross, but midfield dynamo Matthew Wilson is just wide with his effort.

Cougars were slightly the better team in the first half but Morpeth were making a game of it and there were signs of a cup upset, especially with nobody being allowed a rest because no subs available.

Half – Time 1 – 1

Second Half

With the low blinding sun behind our backs the Cougars stepped up their game and mostly dominated the second half with Sam being purely a spectator.

James Percy back in the team today despite not being fully fit provided a steadying influence at the back alongside Jamie, and makeshift left back Harry Clark didn’t let anybody down with another fully committed display.

39 mins – Nathan goes close following great work from Brandon as the Cougars look for the winning goal.

41 mins – Leon the tank smashes his way through the midfield in another determined effort

44 mins – Straight Red Card – Controversy as the referee has a word with the Morpeth manager or coach for a few minutes, and then he seems to walk away from the touchline and is sent to the stand – Oh we haven’t got a stand yet !

45 mins – GOAL 2 – 1         There looked no danger, but Matthew Wilson hit a shot from 25yards with his left foot and with the keeper back peddling and the low sun he gets his hand to it but ends up in the top corner of the net. Is Matthew Wilson finding his scoring boots from last season we could do with his Gerrard goalscoring type displays in the middle of the park.

48 mins – Its all Cougars now as we look to kill off the game. In an amazing goalmouth scramble first Leon hits the post and then the follow up by Tom also hits the base of the post.

50 mins – GOAL 3 – 1         But just when we were wondering if the decisive third goal would come Tom broke into the box and laid the ball of to Nathan who could of shot but fooled the defence by playing the ball to the iceman Matthew Adamson who clinically finished with his left foot into the corner of the net.

55 mins – Leon goes off on another mazzy run but hits the side netting, his display deserved a goal.

59 mins – Harry Clark plays in the best cross of the match but Matthew Adamson just clears the bar with his shot when he normally would hit the target.

Full – Time 3 – 1

Positives

Excellent second half performance
Leon gets a 9/10 for a fantastic display; if he had scored it would have been a perfect 10. I blame the blokes who put the goals up!
Thoroughly professional performance by ALL the lads
Then the Toon go on to stuff the mackems 5 -1
Bring on Wallsend Boys Club away – maybe not !!!!
Some outstanding Halloween outfits on display scared me witless !

Negatives

None !!

 

Cougars in six-goal shoot-out at Noon

Sunday 17th October
Pinpoint Division 3
North Shields Cougars 3 Red House Flames 3 (H/T 1-2)

 Goal 1 – Tom Craig (Assist - Brandon Carr)
Goal 2 – Tom Craig (Assist – Jairo/Leon Snowdon)
Goal 3 - Brandon Carr (Assist – Tom Craig)

MOM – Jairo Simoa
Player of the Week – Kieron Barnes

 Cougars faced Red House Flames a team with an identical record to us going into today’s game, knowing that a win would propel us into third position.
Bad news before the game in that James Percy had failed a fitness test despite wanting to play his fatha’s word was final, and the Cougars were without tough tackling Moo Moo who had not returned from international duty.

Red House Flames had their 6 footer centre forward Under 11 in their ranks aka Duncan Ferguson who had already blasted 14 goals this season, and after questioning the Red House linesman he let it slip that he runs a pub when not playing football – so he must be at least 18!

First Half

The Cougars got off to a shaky start being 0-2 down after 7 minutes. I put this down to Gary having to totally re-organise the back 4 just before kick-off.

But saying that Harry Clark had an absolute outstanding game at left back along with Andrew Mitcheson moving into an unaccustomed centre half position. They have certainly giving Gary something to think about as the squad starts to look very thin with players being away etc.

Jamie Balding also had his best game in a Cougars shirt, but even he looked a dwarf compared to their no 9.

The first two goals for Red House were identical, a break down the right wing followed by a cross and the big barnstorming centre forward bursting through to clinically finish giving Sam no chance.

At this stage it didn’t look good and it looked like losing James Percy and Moo Moo, would be a gap we couldn’t fill.

But then the Cougars gradually got back into the game and at stages started to dominate possession.

Firstly Nathan Young shot just wide following great wing play from Brandon.

Andrew Mitcheson played the pass of the match putting Tom through on goal (with chants of run Forest run), and with just the keeper to beat his shot was saved as well as the rebound – should of scored!

15 min – GOAL Cougars pull a goal back to make it 1-2. Obviously learning from last week Brandon plays a quick throw-in over the Red House back four, and this time Tom keeps composed and lobs the goalkeeper – game on!

16 min – Jamie plays the ball out of defence and this time Jairo picks up the loose ball and nearly scores as the Cougars raise the bar.

20 min – Matthew Wilson plays a great ball through to Jairo who puts his boosters on and with just the keeper to beat, shoots just wide – should have scored!

21 min – Sam pulls off a great save with the ball over his head.

Leon Snowdon barges his way past three opponents and is starting to rattle the Red House players, but this time Matthew Wilson’s shot goes just wide.

Just as it looks like there is no more action, Kieron puts in a great tackle on their number 9 who needed treatment but any hopes of him not turning up for the second half were dashed as Red House had no subs.

Second Half

Sam had an absolutely outstanding second half pulling off many fine saves, a minute into the second half he is left one on one with the Red House one man show and makes sure there is no way past him with the save of the season.

32 min – GOAL Leon smashes his way through their midfield, he is like a tank, to set up Jairo to run through on goal and with just the keeper to beat unselfishly passes to Tom who makes no mistake 2-2

33 min – Matthew Wilson just wide – it’s all Cougars now

34 min – GOAL Tom breaks down the wing again, passes to Brandon and from the edge of the box sweeps the ball into the corner off the net 3-2

From being 0-2 down after 7mins, the Cougars are now 3-2 up – absolutely fantastic

37 min – Matthew Wilson to Matthew Adamson who is basically a foot off the goal line but a Red House player gets a block in, should have scored Frog!

44 min – Corner to Red House, but this time the physical presence of Matthew Adamson is marking the big number 9, so there is only one winner in that tussle!

The Cougars are pushing for number 4 in order to kill the game off

48 min – Nathan to Matthew Wilson and nearly scores a cracker from the edge of the box but drops just wide.

55 min – You guessed it 3-3 and it’s that big number 9 again

59 min – We nearly lose the game, as the big number 9 bursts through, Sam pulls off a Gordon Banks save, and the ball hits the woodwork and with the goal gaping the big number 9 hits it over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

Red House linesman says he has 25 shots a game and scores two if he is lucky, suggest Gary goes in for a transfer bid with our tea money before it is confiscated!

Well what an absolutely fantastic game of football and I think a point each was fair on reflection of the whole game.

Positives –

Creating lots of chances and showed lots of fighting spirit
Despite being down to the bare bones of the squad we coped well without Moo Moo and Jamesy
Great performances from Harry, Jamie, James and Kieron
Leon the Tank!
Two good strikes from Forest (Tom)
Sam was outstanding
Gary putting a transfer bid in for the big no 9!

Negatives –

Not taking those chances

Next Sunday – At home to Ryton in the Cup who we have already beaten 7-2. But without Tom and Andrew Mitcheson for definite. Jamie and Kieron being flown into Newcastle Airport at the clubs expense in readiness for the game!

 

Luckless Cougars go down at Cramlington but Brandon Carr hits goal of the season (so far!)

10/10/10 - Cramlington Town Yellows 3 North Shields Cougars 1 (H/T 1-0)

Goalscorer:- Brandon Carr

Man of the Match:- Brandon Carr

Player of the Week:- Trophy missing in action!

 The Cougars came up against the current league leaders Cramlington Yellows at the Cramlington Sporting Club.

Potential controversy before a ball is kicked as hot drinks can’t be served on the touchline and no money can be exchanged, so we used our initiative!

First Half
Although Cramlington where the better team in the first half and had most possession especially in midfield their chances on goal were few and far between.

15 mins – The whole back four playing well as a defensive unit – Kieron, James, Jamie and Andrew. It was mostly a rearguard action in the first half but full credit to our defence and midfield who repelled attack after attack

20 min - Cramlington went 1-0 up in the 20th minute, but again it was because we had switched off at a throw in. When no danger looked imminent a long throw by passed our defenders and allowed the Cramlington forward a one on one with Sam and he scored.

Momo, Leon, Harry and Nathan all getting stuck in to help the cause.

Matthew Wilson was called to the referee for a chat and a cup of tea to discuss his tough tackling!

21 min - Tom was through on goal in the 21st minute but ruled offside (marginal).

Sam pulled off some good saves and his kicking has improved as well.

24 min – Great corner by Tom and Jairo hits the target but keeper saves

 Second Half
The Cougars came out of the blocks the quicker in the second half and where giving Cramlington lots of problems.

31 min – Matthew Wilson shoots and then Tom gets to the deflection but his shot is cleared off the line as the keeper fumbles – goal line technology needed here as it is confirmed later it was over !

40 min – Great play by Brandon who was having his best game for the Cougars and delivering his pre-season form. He beats a defender and puts in a pinpoint cross and both Matthew Adamson and Tom Craig just miss the ball when a slightest deflection would have brought an equaliser.

41 min – After a clearance from the big Cramlington keeper, Brandon Carr spots the keeper off his line and hits the ball a full 40 yards over the keeper and into the net to make it 1-1 – magnificent, think it was better than David Beckhams shot from the half way line !

43 mins – Leon put Tom through on goal and he must score but his shot is saved – its all Cougars now and one way traffic, just like Morpeth when we got it back to 2-2.

45 mins – Disaster – a speculative high lob and Sam manages to get his hands on it but it drops behind him but surely he saved it. Controversial German Referee Helmut Smidt allows the goal even though he is on the half way line and the linesman has not flagged for a goal 1-2.
After the game though it was confirmed as being over the line – Arrrggghhhh hate it when that happens when the ref is right!

Ref pulls over Cramlington player for a stern chat and a cup of tea!

The Cougars have a tendency to get back in a game and start to dominate but then unluckily concede!

55 mins – To make matters worse Cramlington make it 3-1 following a corner hitting Brandon I think and going in as an own goal.

Cougars don’t let there heads go down and battle to the finish.

I’m sure we will bounce back and give somebody a hiding soon!

 

Pinpoint Division 3
Sunday 26th September 2010
North Shields Cougars 2 Morpeth SC Millennium 5 (HT 2 – 2)

Goal scorers/Assists:
1. Leon Snowdon (Assist: Tom Craig/Harry Clark)
2. Tom Craig (Assist: Leon Snowdon)

In the battle of the top two it was Morpeth who came out on top but the Cougars only have themselves to blame for not clearing the ball from corners, but in our defence we were very unlucky with our finishing as well as a outstanding opening goal from Morpeth (or was it meant to be a cross?)

It was a game of two half’s, Cougars by far the better team in the first half with some gilt edged chances, but in the second half after we had conceded a sloppy third goal this seemed to galvanise the Morpeth team who finished the stronger.

I think if the game had been played at John Spence with a better and faster playing surface we may have caused them more problems with our pace.

News came in after the game that Walker Central had resigned from the league, so lucky for us as we haven’t played them but unlucky for Morpeth who have been deducted six points.

Despite the loss the Cougars are still in a healthy league position:

1. Cramlington Town Yellows         Pld 4               Pts 8
2. Morpeth SC Mill                         Pld 3               Pts 7
3. Cougars                                        Pld 3               Pts 6

First Half Highlights

1 min (0 – 1) – The impressive no 4 for Morpeth (Edgar David’s) beat three players down our left wing and crossed the ball which went over Sam and in off the post – Fluke!!!!

2 min – Jamie Balding with a well timed tackle

4 min – Brandon Carr crossed the ball and the keeper fumbled and the ball ran onto the post, and from the resultant corner James Percy hit a great shot and the keeper pulled off a great save

7 min – Kieron being giving a difficult time by the Morpeth no 4, but manages to stem the flow down the left wing

10 min – The impressive Tom Craig breaks the off-side trap and with just the keeper to beat his shot is cleared off the line and Jairo’s shot is then saved by the keeper.

11 min – 35 yarder from James Percy but a fantastic save from the keeper

14 min (0 – 2) – A corner is not cleared despite two chances to clear the danger, Morpeth score

15 min – Tom breaks the offside again and with just the keeper to beat hits the post

16 min – good skill and a cross by Nathan but Jairo just can’t reach the ball

17 min – storming tackles by the two Matthews (Momo and Wilson) although Matty Wilson’s was a body check and well spotted by an impressive lady referee!

18 min – Sam pulls off his first save after having no chance with the first two goals, and Morpeth being limited to long range shots as the COUGARS are the driving force in the first half

25 min (1 – 2) – Great play by Tom on the right wing who crosses and Harry gets a touch to lay it off for Leon who scores, despite the Morpeth keeper getting fingertips to the ball

28 min – Matthew Wilson tests the keeper

29 min (2-2) Leon plays in Tom who deservedly gets his rewards and a goal

It’s a shame half-time came when it came with the Cougars on top and Morpeth tiring. On chances we should have been at least 4-2 up in the first half.

Second half highlights

32 min (2-3) – A corner for Morpeth is allowed to go all the way through the box for them to score – Training tip for Wednesday – need a man on the near post that stops this!

35 min – This time Sam is left one on one but they shoot wide

41 min – Andrew Mitcheson with a last ditch tackle to clear the danger and wins player of the week – Mr Consistent!

45 min – Jairo, Nathan and Matthew Adamson getting no change from a tigerish Morpeth midfield

47 min – (2-4) – Long ball over the top and Sam and one of our defender’s unsure who should clear the ball and one of their forwards nips in to score

50 min – (2-5) – Similar scenario to the above goal but nips in to head over Sam

52 min – Referee having to have a word with the Morpeth management for complaining about decisions – funny thing was they had just been awarded a free kick – and yes it was offside and he was involved with play all managed perfectly well by the future FIFA referee.

55 min – James to Tom but wide of the mark

60 min – James to Momo but his shot is saved

Positives –

We were the better team in the first half but came in at 2-2 after being unlucky in front of goal. When we got it back to 2-2 there was only one team in it and half-time came at the wrong time.

Morpeth deducted six points after Walker pulled out of league. This has no effect on the Cougars and still in a strong position in the league.

Negatives –

Heads went down after conceding a sloppy third goal which seemed to lift Morpeth

The Collingwood pitch doesn’t suit our fast-flowing attacking football. With the grass slightly longer than John Spence it slowed Tom and Jairo with his after-burners down!

Need to train on clearing corners and getting the right man at the near post to make sure nothing low gets in the box – Alan Shearer !

To conclude everybody shook hands at the end and went home happy……well only after I had tasted those lovely curry wraps and sponge cakes which I give 10/10.
I will bring in a selection of Pot Noodles!

Man of the Match: Tom Craig
Player of the Week: Andrew Mitcheson

Pinpoint Division 3
Sunday 12th September 2010
North Shields Cougars 7 Ryton 2

Cougars go nap and hit the Top of the League!

Goal 1: Matthew Wilson (Assist: Brandon Carr)
Goal 2: Tom Craig (Assist: Jairo Simoa)
Goal 3: Jairo Simoa (Assist: Matthew Wilson)
Goal 4: Matthew Adamson (Assist: Sam Garfoot)
Goal 5: Matthew Adamson (Assist: Jairo Simoa)
Goal 6: Jairo Simoa (Assist: Matthew Adamson)
Goal 7: Brandon Carr (Assist: James Percy)

On a beautiful Sunday morning the Cougars had a full strength squad going into our second league game of the season against Ryton, although Matthew Adamson felt unwell before kick-off he managed to make an impact later in the game.

1 min – Great interchange of play between Leon/Nathan and Matthew Wilson resulted in goalscoring hotshot Nathan just shooting over the bar.

2 min – Matthew Wilson was running the show in the opening minutes with “Gerrard” type runs into the box, this time setting up Tom Craig who should have scored but missed.

3 min – Matthew Wilson peppers the goal again, but a good save from the impressive Ryton goalie. It is evident in the early stages Moo Moo/Leon are allowing Matthew Wilson more licence to get forward.

4 min – Tom Craig shoots but the keeper saves.

5 min – GOAL 1-0 At last the Cougars score when Brandon plays a lovely ball into the box for Matthew Wilson to score his first goal of the season and hopefully many more. To be honest we should have been 4-0 up at this stage.

Although our defence didn’t have much to do in the first half both Kieron and Andrew were called upon to clear the ball out of defence when there was a sniff of danger. Jamie and James were formidable at the back giving the Ryton forwards absolutely nothing!

11 min – Tom puts in Leon and he must score following a 1 on 1 with the keeper but yet again the Ryton keeper keeps the Cougars out.

15 min – After a defensive mix up it lets Tom Craig in but again the Ryton keeper pulls off a fine save.

The game was about to swing the Cougars way following the introduction of Jairo Samoa who soon after coming on was able to turn on his turbo-boosters!

18 min – GOAL 2-0 Jairo picks the ball up in midfield and leaves 5 Ryton players in his wake with a blistering turn of speed to set up Tom with an easy tap in. An absolutely fantastic piece of skill and pace by Jairo.

Matthew Wilson’s dad cheekily commented that’s why we signed him as he runs up the line, but he deserves great credit in finding a player with such talent not playing for a team – keep away Cramlington/Wallsend etc he is not for sale!!!!

19 min – GOAL 3-0 Matthew Wilson plays a long ball over the Ryton defence who surprisingly were playing a high back line which time and time again the Cougars exposed with there pacey forward line. This time Jairo scores his first goal of the season again using his after-burners to great effect.

20 min – Sam called upon to make his first save and Jamie Balding clears any resultant danger.

21 min – GOAL 4-0 from the resultant long goal kick delivered by Sam, this puts in Matthew Adamson who clinically scores from the edge of the box.

28 min – Harry Clark was working really hard down the left wing and managed to deliver a great cross, shortly after that following a cross from Nathan, Harry should have scored himself but just couldn’t control the ball at the vital moment.

Half – Time 4-0

Ryton came out more determined in the second half and to be fair caused us a few problems, the game was won but our total domination was not to be replicated from the first half.

33 min – Andrew Mitcheson again times his tackle to perfection in a determined fashion, is he becoming our own “Psycho Stuart Pearce”?!

35 min – Leon and Moo Moo crunch into tackle after tackle absolutely running themselves into the ground, both resembling Graeme Souness in his prime!

35 min – GOAL 5-0 – Jairo turns and yet again out paces the Ryton defence and looks up to play in Matthew Adamson to score his second of the game (not bad considering he wasn’t feeling well!)

37 min – GOAL 6-0 – Matthew Adamson returns the favour when he flicks on a header into the wheel tracks of Jairo and there was only ever going to be one outcome.

40 min – Leon goes on a great run beating 5 players but is crowded out in the end. Keep it up Leon your goal will come just relax.

44 min – Matthew Wilson to Nathan who nearly adds to the hat-trick he scored against Montague.

52 min GOAL 6-1 – A great run from the impressive no 7 from Ryton who swings in a great cross which unfortunately James Percy deflects off his head following an attempted diving header – I blame Gary here for practicing diving headers in training!

55 min GOAL 7-1 – Jamesy shows his class, beating a player on the edge of the box and firing in a howitzer from the edge of the box which beats the keeper, but with a Ryton player on the line Brandon Carr makes sure and gets his big toe onto it.

58 min GOAL 7-2 – From nowhere a Hammerlob from a Ryton player which basically nearly knocks Sam out cold and deflects into the net.

Full – Time 7-2

Another great display from the Cougars and all augers well for the season ahead. It looks like we have picked a good league with the likes of Cramlington, Walker and Newcastle East End all to come and I think we may be thereabouts at the end of the season.

Although the forwards normally get all the limelight it has been just about how well our goalie and the back 4 have played – so well done Sam, Kieran, Jamie, James and Andrew. Out of the 4 goals we have conceded this season 3 took wicked deflections.

Despite losing two players at the start of the season, if Gary can keep his squad of 14 great players fit and healthy and parents make players as available as they can be I think we can match anybody in this league and maybe go on a good cup run.

Man of Match: - Jairo Samoa
Player of the week: Sam Garfoot

 

Pinpoint Recruitment League:- Division 3
Monday 6th September 2010
Montague FC Eagles 2 North Shields Cougars 3 (H/T 0-2)

NATHAN YOUNG HAT-TRICK SUPREMO!

Goalscorers:- Nathan Young 3

Assists:- Matthew Wilson and Matthew Adamson

The Cougars delivered a totally professional performance to come away with 3 points at a difficult away fixture in Montague although they made it more difficult than it should have been surrendering a three goal lead.

First Half Highlights

3 mins Shot - Matthew Wilson hits one from 30 yards but straight at the keeper

4 mins Shot - Montague go close, shooting just over the bar following a good build up play

7 mins GOAL 1 – 0  The Cougars win a corner on the left side and somehow against the howling wind Nathan Young delivered an excellent corner that beat everybody and ended up in the top corner of the net.

15 mins Show boating - The ball is played to Matthew Adamson who produces a cheeky back heel and takes two Montague defenders out of the game which allows Matthew Wilson to nearly score with a great shot. Will be on Soccer AM!

20 mins “Girl having a wee on the pitch” – Nathan’s Mam runs up to me to tell me, for purposes of the match report, that a lass is having a wee with her Knickers down by her ankles at the top of the pitch – Now would that happen in North Shields I ask?!

25 mins GOAL 2-0 -   After Montague half cleared a corner, Matthew Wilson cushioned a header into the path of Nathan Young who clinically finished it into the corner of the net.

30 mins Open goal – After the Montague keeper had fumbled the ball it let in Nathan to have a shot but somehow our sharp shooter hit it wide when it was easier to score. Never mind, he made up for it with a hat-trick.

An absolutely fantastic first half performance by the Cougars who dominated possession and scored two good goals. Sam not really troubled by the Montague shooting.

Second Half Highlights

31 mins Off the Line – Great header off the line by Kieran Barnes.

35 mins Breakaway – Montague through on goal but a great tackle by Andrew Mitcheson to clear the danger.

37 mins Shot – Harry Clark puts in Moo Moo but as his shot looks goalbound it takes a wicked deflection and roles just past the post.

40 mins GOAL 3-0     A great break down the right side and Matthew Adamson played a measured pass into the middle of the box where the onrushing Nathan Young gleefully beat the keeper all ends up to score a magnificent hat-trick and claim the match ball.

43 mins Shot – Brandon to Tom and as he shoots keeper saves so he shoots again but the keeper pulls off a fantastic double save.

48 mins GOAL 3-1     Unluckily Andrew Mitcheson who had an outstanding game at left back, deflected his clearance against a Montague forward and the rebound gave Sam no chance in goal.

50 mins Off the ball incident – As Montague were becoming frustrated trying to get back in the game Brandon Carr was blatantly pushed in the back and had to be substituted. In the Premiership that would have been a straight red!

52 mins GOAL 3-2     As the Montague pressure was mounting Sam pulled off an outstanding save only for the rebound to fall to a Montague forward who scored.

55 mins Poor reffing decision – Tom beats three players on the right wing and wins a corner but ref gives a goal kick.

57 mins Free kick – Montague win a free kick just outside the box, but that man Kieran Barnes is there again to head away off the goal line.

59 mins Corner – Last throw of the dice for Montague as everybody is up for a corner but the ball flies over everybody to the relief of players and parents – Nerves are shattered.

60 mins Final Whistle – Victory is ours and “We are top of the League” !!!!!!!!

Game of two halfs as Montague were certainly the better team in the second half. Despite the Cougars cruising into a 3-0 lead they let it slip in the second half and could easily have just ended up with a point. Saying that we had chances to put the game out of sight. Strange that playing up the slope seemed to favour both teams?

 

Sam Garfoot – Excellent performance by Sam. Must have had Velcro on his gloves as his handling at crosses and shots was perfect, especially in the last 5 minutes when Montague nearly got an equaliser.

Kieran Barnes – Outstanding at right back, especially with two headed clearances off the line. Gritty determined display.

Andrew Mitcheson – Outstanding at left back, never missed a tackle and excellent distribution up the wings. He just gets better and better!

James Percy – A leader at the back and quietly and efficiently repelled attack after attack. Held the back line together and formed an excellent back four. Our John Terry !

Jamie Balding – Lead the line with James and gave nothing away in an outstanding first half. Big and strong and wins everything in the air.

Leon Snowden – Battled away both in midfield and up front and gave his all for the team.

Matthew Wilson – Forming a great centre midfield partnership with Moo Moo and played centre half as Gary shuffled the pack. Nice header to put in Nathan for the second goal.

Matthew Morley (Moo Moo) – Man of the Match performance for his industry. Tackled everything that moved and the first name on the team sheet.

Brandon Carr – Worked hard for the team and injured in the second half. A lot more to come from Brandon based on his pre-season displays.

Jairo Samoa – Dropped deeper than I would of liked but worked hard both up front and in midfield. Gary needs to find the formula to unlock Jairo’s turbo boosters!

Tom Craig – Fantastic running at the Montague defence and ran himself into the ground. Must cover nearly as much ground as Moo Moo looking at the Opta stats !
Rory Delap throw-ins causing opposition lots of problems.

Harry Clark – Dogged performance getting the tackles in and fighting hard for his team, did his dad proud.

Nathan Young – 10/10 performance. Hat-trick hero with three clinical finishes, but just like all strikers he missed his easiest chance. Pre-match meal of a bag of chips worked wonders.

Matthew Adamson – Produced a great pass for our third goal and a great piece of showboating. Worked hard but not much change from the Montague defence.

Opponents Man of the Match:- Matthew Morley (very closely followed by Nathan Young)

Player of the Week:- James Percy