U13 Cougars - Sutton United Colts U13 Yellow

Cougars 3 – 6 Sutton United Yellow

Today the boys delivered a superb reaction performance against a very strong Sutton United Yellow side. Despite the 3–6 scoreline, this was one of our most committed, disciplined and competitive displays of the season — toe-to-toe with Sutton for over 50 minutes before four quick goals in ten minutes shifted the momentum their way. The boys showed real character, organisation and fight throughout.

FIRST HALF

Sutton started brightly and took the lead after just 3 minutes. Their winger did well down the left and drove a low, hard cross into the corridor of uncertainty. It was a difficult one to defend, and we didn’t react quickly enough to the second phase, allowing their forward to reach it first and finish from inside the 6-yard box.

Cougars 0–1 Sutton

The response from the boys was excellent. We stayed compact, absorbed pressure well, and grew into the game with smart counters and disciplined shape.

On 26 minutes we deservedly equalised. Jonny won a free kick wide on the left through brilliant persistence. Oscar delivered a perfect ball into the danger area — dropping exactly where we wanted it — and Luke attacked the space with real desire, finishing from close range.

Cougars 1–1 Sutton

Sutton regained the lead shortly before half-time. A loose pass in their third allowed them to intercept, transition quickly, and exploit the space left behind our midfield. Their attacker made a clever half-space run and finished well into Toby’s far corner.

Cougars 1–2 Sutton

Despite the setback, the boys went into half-time knowing they were right in the fight — calm, organised, and believing in the game plan.

SECOND HALF

We started the second half brilliantly and equalised almost immediately. Luke picked the ball up centrally and played a superb through ball into the channel — an area Johann had been threatening repeatedly. Johann’s sheer desire took him past the retreating defender as he got there first, and he finished calmly past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Cougars 2–2 Sutton

For the next 10 minutes, the game was tight, competitive and full of intensity. Both teams had chances and we continued to look dangerous on counters.

Then came the decisive period — Sutton scored four goals inside ten minutes, capitalising on small moments of switching off and showing outstanding finishing quality. These moments took the game away from us, but even then the boys didn’t fold or hide.

We struck back with a deserved third goal. From a free kick on the halfway line, Leonardo delivered a superb ball that dropped perfectly into the box. Logan attacked it with total commitment, producing an excellent diving header past the keeper — a brilliant goal made from delivery, desire and bravery.

Cougars 3–6 Sutton

In the final stages we pushed forward again, created opportunities, and could easily have added a fourth goal. Jake had a couple of difficult chances late on — the kind he normally buries when he’s fully fit and healthy — which shows how well we broke forward and how dangerous we remained right to the end. The desire to keep going was clear.

FULL SQUAD EFFORT

A special mention goes to the substitutes — every player who came on continued the standards set by the boys they replaced. They brought energy, discipline, and worked hard to maintain our shape and intensity. Considering we lost Noah to illness last night and Rez became unwell just before kick-off, this was a genuine full squad effort.

Across the pitch there were big performances:

• The back five blocked shots, stayed compact, and fought for every duel.
• The midfield three ran tirelessly to break up play and transition quickly.
• The front two offered threat, hold-up play and constant movement.
• The wing-backs gave energy to both sides of the pitch.
• The entire squad showed heart, resilience and togetherness.

SUMMARY

This was a huge step forward — a reaction full of:

• fight
• discipline
• desire
• togetherness
• bravery
• belief

Against one of the strongest sides in the division, the boys showed exactly what we’ve been asking for: energy, structure, duels, transitions, and courage with the ball.

We build from this.

Cougars on the way back. 🤍💙🐆