Cougars winning streak came to an end on Saturday when they faced a well organised Navenby side for the 4th time this season. Mowbray got the better of the opening exchanges, using the wind behind them and the downhill slope. Jacob Mousley’s shot from the 1st corner of the game brought a great low save from the keeper. J’s next contribution was to use the strong wind and shoot from the half-way line which wasn’t too far wide. 10 minutes in & just when Cameron Steans was looking to assert his influence, he took a strong, painful knock across the knee which ended his game. This not only affected player, but seemed to throw the team too.
Ben Dawson, back this week in a defensive role looked good at the back, whilst Jack Young showed some good ball skills in midfield. Thomas Davies chased the long ball through on the wind, as much of the play was in the opposing half.

The 2nd fifteen minutes & Thomas Davies showed determination and strength on the left to beat defenders & get a shot in. Navenby, playing against the wind, took the ball on and a bit of standing off & standing still from the Mowbray side meant that the visitors could get a sight on goal. The shot took a wicked deflection and dribbled over the line, Sam Booth scrambling desperately in vain to keep it out.

The 2nd half saw the conditions worsen with the cold wind strengthening further and with the wind (& the slope) in their favour, Navenby started to apply pressure. Despite this, Jacob tackled well from midfield and Ben at the back looked confident as sweeper, but once again it was a lack of cover and challenging in midfield that lead to Navenby’s 2nd goal.

Mowbray found it difficult to repeat the passing & football they showed off last week, but we saw a glimpse of it when Mowbray put a lovely 5 pass move together. Matt, Jacob, Jack Young & Thomas combining well. The next Navenby attack saw Cougars exposed due to slack marking once again, but when the shot came, it was taken well, being threaded through a couple of defenders past a stranded keeper. The final moments of the 3rd quarter were played with some confusion at the back & Mowbray were lucky not to concede further.

Navenby continued with their slick passing and movement in the last 15 minutes and seemed dangerous every time they came forward. A radical switch in positions saw Thomas Davies playing in front of the defence and he rose to the occasion. Looking strong in presence and in running, he looked as though he’d been playing there for more than his few appearances, getting first to the challenge and winning headers ahead of the opposition. With Ben continuing his excellent sweeping, things looked stronger. From a goal-kick clearance, the Navenby attacker saw Sam Booth off his line & tried to shoot on goal. Sam remained tall and saved well. In the final minutes, it was Cougars who finished on the up and on a quick break, Jack Young ran the ball out of defence & guided the ball to Jack Sprake to close in on goal at the final whistle.

This was always going to be a difficult game against 2nd in the league Navenby and with the weather conditions having an effect too, Cougars failed to stand out in this encounter.
Apart from a couple of early ½ chances, we rarely troubled the keeper. Cougars were very quiet today & seemed to miss key personnel. They only showed glimpses of what they’re capable of and were short of their performance VS Ancaster last week. Thomas Davies gave Ben Dawson a run for Man of the Match, but stronger challenging, a will to win the ball and having a more “get stuck in” mentality throughout the whole team is needed against Cranwell tomorrow to put Cougars back on track.