Reports 2007 - 2008
(Unfortunately the Weekly Reports only started in December 2007)
December 16 2007
After a couple of weeks off due to the wet weather, all the players were keen to get out playing again despite the cold conditions.
The U8’s travelled to Puddletown and took an early lead, however eventually went down 5-1 to The Predators in a game which was a lot closer than the score suggests.
There were mixed fortunes for the two U9 teams, after a couple of defeats Marks U9’s got back to winning ways with a 3-0 win against Weymouth Colts. While in Section 2 the U9 United lads lost to the odd goal in five at Milbourne St Andrews.
Both the U10 & U11 Mini Soccer teams were without fixtures, unfortunately the U11's lost top spot in their section as Handley Sports took over the lead..
In the Dorset Youth League the U11's are still looking for their first points, but having conceded nine against second place Weymouth Wanderers they can take heart that they managed to notch three times themselves.
The performance of the week came from the U13's as they recorded only their second win of the season returning from Poole Town with all three points thanks to a fine 2-1 win..
Rossgarth Youth travelled to Weymouth having already beaten Ken’s U14 earlier in the season; however the Cougars came out on top this time with a 4-1 win which keeps them in the chasing pack in their division.
All teams take a break now until the New Year with the next round of fixtures on January 6th 2008.
January 6 2008
The first round of games of the New Year brought mixed fortunes for the six Cougar teams who had fixtures
The U11 Mini Soccer team returned to action after a five week break with a convincing 9-0 win against bottom club Broadstone Braves. League leaders Handley Sports were held by Sturminster Newton United which allowed the Cougars to leap-frog them in to top spot.
The U9’s had to come back from a goal down to beat Weymouth Wanderers in one of three local derbies involving Cougar teams, a tremendous individual goal from Lewis Richards brought the sides level by half-time. Jacob Whittell gave the Cougars the lead in the second half, and only a great save by Morgan Pollack denied Wanderers a last gasp equaliser as the Cougars held on for all three points
Having suffered a 14-3 reverse at Okeford United earlier in the year Alan’ U9 United side feared the worse, but they have tightened things up at the back since then and were unlucky to lose 6-0 this time out.
The remaining fixture in the Mini Section saw the U8’s complete the league double over the Weymouth F.C Terras Girls with a 6-1 win. Shay McNulty claimed a hat-trick, Sam Kirby a brace and Oliver Camburn notched for his first of the season
In another local derby the U11’s Youth played host to Chickerell United, however it was the visitors who returned home with all three points after a 4-1 victory.
The U13’s suffered a 12-0 defeat at the hands of title chasing Hamworthy United in the U13 Section 3 who joined Sherborne Town at the top of the table.
January 13 2008
Games at Stalbridge (U8), Shaftesbury (U9), Sherborne (U13) and the Marsh (U11) involving Cougars teams all fell foul of the weather. However there were three games that did survive.
Still looking for their first points the U11 Youth team were unfortunate to come up against a strong Dorchester Town Magpies who stretched their lead at the top of the division with an 11-1 win.
The U9’s also suffered defeat at the hands of a County Town team as they lost 3-2 to Dorchester Town Stags who go above them into fourth on goal difference in Section 1 of the U9 Mini Soccer League
Having not played since the end of November it was no surprise that the U10’s were a bit rusty and came out second best to Weymouth Wanderers who won 8-3 at a soggy Redlands.
January 20 2008
In their top of the table clash away at Poole Town the U14’s saw their title chances take a dent as the current leaders opened up a ten point gap on the Cougars with a 2-1 win.
The U11 Youth team also returned empty handed from their travels as they went down 6-0 at second place Heathlands
There was better news for the U11 Min Soccer team as they kept up their title challenge with a 6-1 win against fourth place Sturminster Newton United. The win keeps them two points behind current leaders Handley Sports but the Cougars have played two games less.
The U10’s mid-table clash with Dorchester Town Gladiators saw them win 4-2 and draw level on points with their beaten rivals.
It was top against bottom in Section 2 of the U9 league as the United boys entertained Weymouth Youth at the Marsh, and it went to form as the visitors chalked up a 9-1 win.
January 27 2008
The improving U8’s faced second place Dorchester Magpies at the Marsh. A bright start from the Cougars saw Jay Anderson crash an effort against the upright. While keeper Sam Young produced several fine saves to keep the Cougars in the game. The Magpies finally broke the deadlock 6 minutes into the second period; a free kick hit the post and fell kindly for the Magpies to open the scoring. The visitors add two more before the end, but commented that this had been their toughest game of the season.
Both the U9 United lads and the U10’s faced teams chasing for honours in their respective leagues. The U9’s managed to get on the score sheet away at Sherborne Town but eventually went down 7-1, while the U10’s visited league leaders Chickerell United with a similar result losing 7-2.
After the disappointment of last weeks defeat to Poole Town the U14’s got back to winning ways with a 6-2 win against Kingswood Youth.
The U13’s replaced Okeford United in the bottom two of their league, Okeford completing the league double over the Cougars with an 8-2 win.
Both Cougars and Poole Town Rovers were looking for their first points of the season in the U11 Dorset Youth League when they clashed at the Marsh. In a tight game it was the Rovers that claimed all three points in a 4-2 win.
In contrast the U11 Mini Soccer boys reclaimed top spot in their section with a 7-3 win at Colehill Sports. Their nearest rivals Handley Sports did not play so it was an important win for the Cougars who have 33 points from 12 games with Handley a point less from a game more.
February 3 2008
There were some amazing games this week involving Cougar teams, from high scoring draws to seven goal thrillers and a rarity amongst youth football a goalless draw.
The most goals saw the U9’s in section 2 draw with Lytchett Red Triangle 6-6 at the Marsh, and still they could have won it but missed a last minute penalty. The lead changed several times with the Cougars 4-2 up a half-time, however just to even things up the visitors won the second half by the same score.
Close behind the U9 boys came Geoff's U13’s were there was another goal feast as they fought out a 5-5 draw with Weymouth Diamonds,
The U11 Youth boys notched 3 times against third place and title chasing Sherborne Town but unfortunately leaked 6 at the other end.
To complete the Youth section the U14’s lost out to the odd goal in seven to Dorchester Town Cobras in another high scoring game.
The U11 Mini Soccer team kept up their championship hopes with a routine 7-0 win against Mudeford Swans, there nearest rivals Handley Sports also hit seven to keep up the pressure at the top
There may not have been so many goals in the U9 United boy’s game but they were unlucky to lost 3-2 to Sturminster Newton United.
The only game where goals were of a short supply was in the U8 game against Weymouth Colts who fought out a goalless draw. But it was not for want of trying as Jay Anderson brought a great save out of Jake Evans in the Colts goals in the nearest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the first period. The second period followed much the same pattern as the first with openings at both ends the best falling to Cougars Shay McNulty in the closing minutes but his effort went agonisingly wide as both teams drew for the second time this season.
February 10 2008
The U11 Mini Soccer team took a huge step towards the championship with an emphatic 9-0 win against their nearest rivals Handley Sports, a win that opens up a four point gap at the top of the table
In complete contrast to the U11 Mini’s the U9 United lads celebrated their second win of the season with a 2-1 win at Dorchester Town Swifts. Manager Al was delighted with the win and commented “Well Done lads at last the win we have deserved for a long time lets now keep the momentum going to the end of the season”.
The U8 boys also travelled to the county town to face Dorchester Raiders and for the second time this season concede eleven goals to the free scoring champions.
Marks’s U9 returned from their travels with three points with a 5-2 win at Parkstone Falcons a win which keeps them in the race for honours.
After sharing 10 goals with Weymouth Diamonds in their last outing the U13’s were involved in another high scoring draw this time a 4-4 with Blandford Youth Barbarians.
The U11 Youth side still prop up their division after a 7-0 reverse against Millborne St Andrew.
February 17 2008
Congratulations to the U11 Youth Sports team for getting their first point of the season with a 4-4 draw against Dorchester Town Rangers. Well done to Andy and all involved.
The only other Youth team in action the U14’s earned a 3-2 win in their local derby with Weymouth Victoria, the win keeps them in touch with the group at the top of the table.
While down in the Mini Section the U10’s also faced local opposition, going down 10-1 to a rampant Weymouth Colts who passed a hundred goals for the season.
Brian’s U8 boys travelled to Stalbridge Youth for there penultimate game. After a cagey start Charlie Halloran sent Shay McNulty clear of the home defence and despite the best effort of the keeper his shot squeezed over the line. Stalbridge hit the post before McNulty broke down the right wing and teed up strike partner Jay Anderson who fired in the second. The pair combined again for Anderson to add his second and seal the win.
“It’s a win that means we finish in sixth place and top of the small group in the bottom half of the table”
Marks U9’s in Section 1 welcomed leaders Wareham Rangers to the Marsh, with the result going to form with a 4-1 win for the visitors.
The U11 Mini’s took a step closer to the title with a 5-2 win against Bearwood United, they have now played the same amount of games as Handley Sports and have opened up a seven point gap with just three games remaining.
February 24 2008
Congratulations to the U11 Mini Soccer Team who with a 5-1 win against Blandford Youth Raiders were crowned League Champions. They are seven points clear of Hanley Sports with only two games remaining. Well done to all involved.
Meanwhile the U8 lads ended their league campaign with a 0-0 draw against Okeford United at the Marsh. They could have earned all three but the Okeford keeper pulled off a great save to deny Sam Young from the penalty spot. This is the first time that the Cougars have taken points off a team above them in the league this season.
Purbeck Panthers were full of confidence they would take all the points off the U9’s in section 1, however the Cougars returned from their travels with a well deserved point after a 2-2 draw.
The U9 United team managed to score twice against Weymouth F.C Terras but eventually went down 6-2 to their local rivals.
The remaining Mini Soccer league fixture saw John’s U10’s play host to league leaders Bridport Juniors and despite a brave effort lost 5-0 to the favourites for the title.
After two high scoring draws the U13’s team welcomed Portland United to the Marsh, however the islanders returned to the rock with all three points after a 4-0 win.
March 2 2008
The performance of the week this week goes to the U10’s who beat fifth place Weymouth F.C Wanderers 2-1 at the Marsh, a great result because only 6 weeks ago they lost 8-3 to the same opposition.
Having shared the points last week with Purbeck Panthers the U9’s made home advantage count with an emphatic 5-1 win at the Marsh
The U9 United boys returned from the county town empty handed after a 3-0 defeat to Dorchester Town Tigers.
Newly crowned Champions U11 Minis faced Piddle Valley Pumas the only team to have beaten them this season, but despite conceding four goals again to the Pumas they return with all three points with a 9-4 win
All three teams in the Youth section suffered defeats this week, the U11 Sports went down 6-1 at Milborne St Andrew, while the U13’s lost on their travels 3-1 to Broadstone Colts.
Poole Bay Youth returned home from the Marsh with all three points after a 2-1 win in their mid-table clash with the U14’s.
March 9 2008
Both the U13’s & U14 faced teams from Wimborne Town, Geoff’s U13’s took to the road and things bit not look to good when at the interval they were two down to the bottom club Wimborne Town Phoenix but an inspirational team talk by the manager saw his boys turn things around. Goals from Conner Saddington, Mason Dunn and a hat-trick from Liam Falcus saw them come away with a 5-2 victory which moves them up a place in the league.
Meanwhile the U14’s were involved in a nine goal thriller at the Marsh against Wimborne Town Boys; however it was the visitors who came away with all three points with a 5-4 win.
The U9’s in Section 1 were also involved in a goal feast against third place Poole Town, unfortunately they also lost, by the odd goal in seven has Poole kept up their challenge for the runners up spot
Gillingham Town U9’s returned to North Dorset with all three points after a 4-0 win against the U9 United boys. A sign of the progress Al boys have made since the start of the season when the Gills hit them for ten
After a great win last week the U10’s came crashing back to earth with a 10-2 defeat to Corfe Castle Conquerors.
Finally the U11 Minis made several positional changes for their last game against bottom club Broadstone Braves and still managed a 3-0 win, which means they finish with 17 wins and only the 1 defeat.
March 23 2008
Only the U9 teams had fixtures this Easter weekend, Marks U9 boys played both on Saturday and Sunday with mixed fortunes, on the Saturday they went down 3-2 at Poole Borough, however the next day they hit bottom club Sturminster Marshall for nine at the Marsh with goals from Ben, Milo and an incredible seven from Ryan.
Unfortunately the U9 United lads showed the effects of too many Easter eggs losing 9-0 at Bridport Juniors
April 6 2008
Despite finishing bottom of the pile in Section 2 of the U9 league the United boys have made great strides in their first season, unfortunately they ended the campaign with another defeat this time going down 4-1 at Shaftesbury Rockies.
In Section 1 Marks U9’s finished a well deserved fifth, although their performance on Sunday may not have been their best they still proved to strong for Portland United with a 6-0 win at the Marsh.
Swanage Town & Herston visited the Marsh on Saturday morning and returned home with all three points winning by the odd goal in nine against the u10’s
The U11 Sports team ended their league programme with a 6-1 defeat at Poole Town, they finish with the wooden spoons but after changing their manager mid campaign results have improved over the second half of the season.
The U13’s played on Thursday night under the floodlights at Sherborne Town a new experience for most the lads however despite losing 3-1 manager Geoff made the comment that “From having their names read out over the tannoy before the start of the game, the excellent referee and linesmen and the food afterwards made it a very enjoyable evening for everyone.”
On Sunday they travelled to fourth place Merlay Allendale and came away with a point after a 1-1 draw.
The U14’s were also successful on their travels with a 4-2 win at Lytchett Red Triangle, who make the return visit to Cougars this Sunday.
Having finished their season the U8’s played a friendly against Weymouth Warriors. In a tightly contested first half only two great saves by the Warriors keeper denied Jay Anderson from opening the scoring.
In the first minute of the second half the Warriors took the lead from the penalty spot after Oliver Camburn had handled in the area. However he soon made up for the error blasting in a free-kick from just outside the penalty area. Shay McNulty latched onto Louie Wilkinson thought ball and despite the best efforts of the keeper made the score 2-1. McNutly also hit a post with a first time lob, while in the last minute keeper Harry Falcus dived down low to ensure the win
April 27 2008
The end of the season has come at the wrong time for the U13's, they have found some form having ended the season going unbeaten for three games after a 3-3 draw with Weymouth Diamonds.
The U14 ended their season in fine style beating bottom club Shaftesbury Rockies 17-3 on their travels.
The U10's also concluded their campaign with two home games this week, on Friday Corfe Castle Conquerors took all three points with a 3-1 win, while on Sunday morning Dorchester Town Centurions returned to the county town with all the points after a 1-0 win.