Sunday was frustrating as the footski web page, that has served us so well, was unavailable. This meant that the details of where we were playing today were not available. Whilst only a small detail it's frustrating. This coupled with some of the limitations of the footski page mean a quick redevelopment and a new website.
Calendar
The content is the same, so fixtures are in the calendar (in the right hand pane) click on the date to see the details. I'll publish the squads etc in the detail of the calendar. The calendar appointment will also hold details of the venue.
Match Reports
Will be posted as updates - to see old match reports use the Blog Archive further down on the left hand side of the site.
Squad & Availability
The squad is listed on the left of the front page. At the foot of that entry is a view of availability. When i ask you to confirm this is where i track it. Please review and if there's any amendments or updates then let me know. I will continue to get this information from you via email though.
LRFC Club Shop
The site also has a link to the LRFC club shop, this is a page that if you click through when shopping online the club get a kick-back at no additional cost to you. If you shop online please use this where you can.
Pages
At the top of the site are four headings that will take you to other pages in the site with information. Home Ground, Training Pitch and Useful Links are all listed.
If there's anything you'd like to see on here then let me know.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
League: LRFC Cougars V Churchdown Panthers 30th September 2012
The fixture calendar has been unkind to us this season pitting us against the Churchdown Panthers twice in succession. Last week, in atrocious conditions, we battled to a 4-2 defeat. This week in better conditions we were on the wrong side of a 4-0 defeat. A match that we struggled to get any break in the final third of the pitch.
With the team resplendent in their new kits adorned with the Lexus Cheltenham logo we took to a windy pitch. Will Fenley in goal, the back four of (right to left) Sam Hansson-Willey, Jordan Pemberton (captaining the side), George Garrad in a MoTM performance and Will Davis. Switching to five across midfield we had Jacob Burgess as anchor, Max Pemberton and Freddie Palmer either side of him. Our flying wingers were Louis Casey and Luca Bosano. Up front Dan Hodgin ploughed a lone furrow and didn't really even get any scraps to feed on. On the bench Callum Dagnall and Dan Griffiths.
For the first half we were playing down hill and with the wind at our backs. Despite this advantage we were unable to break through the strong Churchdown midfield and defence. When we did get within sight of goal we were closed down too quickly to get shots away. This was probably a Cougars first as for the whole match i do not recall a single shot.
It became apparent that this game was going to be all about defence. A task that the Cougars stuck to very well for half an hour when deadlock was finally broken and Churchdown went 1-0 up. There was then a lucky escape for the away side when one of the defence put through his own net only to see it ruled out for offside (the Churchdown player not him!). Will Davis showed bravery in defence putting his head in, time and again to try and win long clearances. Jordan Pemberton was having an excellent game at the back and as the game wore on pushed more into midfield to offer some additional tackling tenacity in there. He has, quite possibly had his best two performances for the Cougars in the past two matches. Alongside him George Garrad was immense. One observer of a game described him as swooping in.... so it might look like the attacking team are going to get a shot away when George Garrad swoops in from the side and takes the ball away. George was excellent today covering a huge amount of ground and being as tenacious and strong as we have come to expect. Deserved MoTM although run close by the whole defence and goal keeper today.
The midfield today linked pretty well but struggled to get the ball forward, this was as much to do with the work rate of the Churchdown midfield as much as their defence putting the ball straight back into the middle of the pitch. This was a day where the ball just did not run for the attacking players. Freddie Palmer and Jacob Burgess linked well under pressure. Jacob's work rate, once again, was superb as he tackled everyone and everything and always looked to pass to a team mate. Max Pemberton had a very strong game playing as the deeper striker, with fantastic work rate and great technical ability he was unlucky not to score with an effort that he controlled inside the penalty area but with the ball not dropping fast enough was unable to make a proper connection with the shot. Another excellent match for our newest signing.
The wingers didn't really get on the ball today in areas to do the damage, both Luca Bosano and Louis Casey showed nice touches and link play but were unable to make their skills tell. With 10 minutes of the first half remaining Callum Dagnall came onto the right side of midfield for Luca who had taken a blow to the chest. He saw out the half and then later in the second half came on up front for Dan Hodgin only for Jordan to then pull up injured. Dan H came back on and Callum was pushed up front. Sam Hansson-Willey playing despite not being 100% fit lasted the first half when fatigue over took him. He had a good first half playing an unfamiliar position against tough opponents. For the second half he was replaced by Dan Griffiths. Dan was called into action in spectacular fashion clearing off the line with the ball rolling into goal.
With three goals (one from a well struck free kick) in the second half securing a 4-0 win, and the points, for Churchdown, this was a game that on the face of it is better forgotten. There were some positives though as there always should be, we did defend well for large parts of the first half and but for this and good handling and distribution from Will Fenley this could have been many more. Despite conceding 4 goals there was little Will Fenley could do and his safe handling and calmness in distribution were very good.
Churchdown are the strongest team we have faced. They will beat teams by a lot more than four goals and we should take heart from the way we defended and did not let our heads drop. Of course there are things we need to do better, attack the ball from corners and set-pieces, move onto the ball and anticipate better. We also need a little more belief in possession. As the game finished the lads looked exhausted, defending for that long is not easy mentally or physically.
A tough day at the office.
With the team resplendent in their new kits adorned with the Lexus Cheltenham logo we took to a windy pitch. Will Fenley in goal, the back four of (right to left) Sam Hansson-Willey, Jordan Pemberton (captaining the side), George Garrad in a MoTM performance and Will Davis. Switching to five across midfield we had Jacob Burgess as anchor, Max Pemberton and Freddie Palmer either side of him. Our flying wingers were Louis Casey and Luca Bosano. Up front Dan Hodgin ploughed a lone furrow and didn't really even get any scraps to feed on. On the bench Callum Dagnall and Dan Griffiths.
For the first half we were playing down hill and with the wind at our backs. Despite this advantage we were unable to break through the strong Churchdown midfield and defence. When we did get within sight of goal we were closed down too quickly to get shots away. This was probably a Cougars first as for the whole match i do not recall a single shot.
It became apparent that this game was going to be all about defence. A task that the Cougars stuck to very well for half an hour when deadlock was finally broken and Churchdown went 1-0 up. There was then a lucky escape for the away side when one of the defence put through his own net only to see it ruled out for offside (the Churchdown player not him!). Will Davis showed bravery in defence putting his head in, time and again to try and win long clearances. Jordan Pemberton was having an excellent game at the back and as the game wore on pushed more into midfield to offer some additional tackling tenacity in there. He has, quite possibly had his best two performances for the Cougars in the past two matches. Alongside him George Garrad was immense. One observer of a game described him as swooping in.... so it might look like the attacking team are going to get a shot away when George Garrad swoops in from the side and takes the ball away. George was excellent today covering a huge amount of ground and being as tenacious and strong as we have come to expect. Deserved MoTM although run close by the whole defence and goal keeper today.
The midfield today linked pretty well but struggled to get the ball forward, this was as much to do with the work rate of the Churchdown midfield as much as their defence putting the ball straight back into the middle of the pitch. This was a day where the ball just did not run for the attacking players. Freddie Palmer and Jacob Burgess linked well under pressure. Jacob's work rate, once again, was superb as he tackled everyone and everything and always looked to pass to a team mate. Max Pemberton had a very strong game playing as the deeper striker, with fantastic work rate and great technical ability he was unlucky not to score with an effort that he controlled inside the penalty area but with the ball not dropping fast enough was unable to make a proper connection with the shot. Another excellent match for our newest signing.
The wingers didn't really get on the ball today in areas to do the damage, both Luca Bosano and Louis Casey showed nice touches and link play but were unable to make their skills tell. With 10 minutes of the first half remaining Callum Dagnall came onto the right side of midfield for Luca who had taken a blow to the chest. He saw out the half and then later in the second half came on up front for Dan Hodgin only for Jordan to then pull up injured. Dan H came back on and Callum was pushed up front. Sam Hansson-Willey playing despite not being 100% fit lasted the first half when fatigue over took him. He had a good first half playing an unfamiliar position against tough opponents. For the second half he was replaced by Dan Griffiths. Dan was called into action in spectacular fashion clearing off the line with the ball rolling into goal.
With three goals (one from a well struck free kick) in the second half securing a 4-0 win, and the points, for Churchdown, this was a game that on the face of it is better forgotten. There were some positives though as there always should be, we did defend well for large parts of the first half and but for this and good handling and distribution from Will Fenley this could have been many more. Despite conceding 4 goals there was little Will Fenley could do and his safe handling and calmness in distribution were very good.
Churchdown are the strongest team we have faced. They will beat teams by a lot more than four goals and we should take heart from the way we defended and did not let our heads drop. Of course there are things we need to do better, attack the ball from corners and set-pieces, move onto the ball and anticipate better. We also need a little more belief in possession. As the game finished the lads looked exhausted, defending for that long is not easy mentally or physically.
A tough day at the office.
League: LRFC Cougars V Churchdown Panthers 23rd September 2012
You don't need to wear a North Face waterproof to watch the Cheltenham Youth League but it would help.
On a rain swept afternoon on Naunton Park the pre-match talk was all about raising our game. The Gotherington match had enabled us to find something out about our players that we didn't know, or certainly hadn't seen. To be combative and strong.
This fixture the message was simple do it again but with an extra 10% as Churchdown, as i say every season, are the strongest team in this division that we have faced.
Lining up a little different to normal in recognition of some of the Gotherington performances we had Will Fenley in goal, the back four right-to-left was Sam Hansson-Willey, Freddie Palmer, George Garrad and Will Davis in left back. Jacob Burgess and Harvey Parker-Allen lined up in front of them as the midfield screen with the the front four of Max Timothy, Louis Casey, Luca Bosano and Dan Hodgin. On the bench Jordan Pemberton, Max Pemberton, Paddy Christopher and Callum Dagnall.
The game kicked off and Churchdown had the majority of possession. With the ball zipping around on the wet turf we were unable to get any passes together and struggled to retain possession. The Churchdown midfield were winning ball and as were forced deeper into our own area were able to progress uncontested. We defended stoutly with the back four holding firm and the midfield assisting to plug gaps. Will Fenley had to make difficult catches as the slippery ball was fired in from distance.
The opening goal went to Churchdown just over half way through the first half, playing the ball in long from the left we failed to clear and the ball was fired into the corner by a Churchdown player. 1-0 down but playing well enough to still be in it.
We lost Harvey Parker-Allen shortly after the first goal to a knee injury. A reshuffle saw Jordan come into centre defence, with Freddie Palmer moving into midfield alongside Jacob. Then we lost our goalkeeper, Will Fenley, to a pulled muscle. This meant some rapid changes, with Jacob taking one for the team and going in goal. Sam Hansson-Willey moved from right back into centre midfield, Paddy Christopher joining the back-four.
Churchdown scored a second goal, the ball flying on over Jacob's head with nothing he could do. 2-0. There was time for us to pull one-back with a fine finish from Dan H. This was followed by a final substitution in the half with Louis Casey, struggling with a knee injury, needing to come off. This saw Max Pemberton thrust into action taking the centre forward role. Luca Bosano switched flanks to left wing and Dan Hodgin moving to right wing.
This was quite a game for Max Pemberton to make his debut in considering that he is playing a year up but he played very well. Hassling the defence when they were in possession and ensuring possession was maintained high up the pitch. First half 2-1 Churchdown.
The instruction for the second half was to get the ball forward with purpose and try to exploit the pace we have against their defence. This almost yielded a goal immediately with the ball played to Max Timothy, again pulling the strings, who laid the ball to Sam. Sam played it into the channel Luca gave chase and his left foot shot flew past the far post. Had that gone in......
The game then ebbed and flowed from end-to-end as players tired and conditions told. Churchdown stil had the better possession although when we broke forward we did look more dangerous. Max Pemberton was getting onto the ball and starting to link well with the other attacking players, with a bit more practice with the team his technical ability will surely shine.
Churchdown scored two further goals to take a 4-1 lead but to the lads credit they continued to press and got a goal back with a finish in the area by Max Timothy from Dan Hodgins corner. 4-2. The gane would finish this way but not before there was another injury.
George playing a barnstorming central defensive role had hurt his leg and was unable to run freely. A final change was made Freddie Palmer dropping into the back 4 alongside Jordan Pemberton and Callum Dagnall coming into central midfield. There were no real further clear cut chances but there was time for another player to get an injury, Paddy Christopher catching and toe-ending the ball away from the Churchdown number 55 who is probably the biggest and certainly one of the fastest players in the division - as they continued full tilt there was an awkward fall. Fortunately he continued and saw the game out.
The game finished 4-2 to Churchdown. It was an excellent game of football played in horrendous conditions and showed the value of having a squad as, for the second week in succession we ended up with only 11 fit players.
Churchdown are a very good team, make no mistake about that, we know a lot about them and they probably have the better record than we do in these head to heads. The gap did not feel that broad today though. Even with the injuries and changes to personnel the boys played, particularly in the second half, some good solid football. Defending first and then trying to show some quality going forward.
The message remains the same control the ball, pass it quickly and support the play. Try to relax in possession and play our game. When we do that we can match anyone even if we don't get the result. Churchdown could not relax in the game today because we kept going.
The man of the match was an odd one today. (Not that he's odd) but it was given to Jacob Burgess as he went into goal after we lost Will Fenley. He was bustling energey in midfield and then in goal made some excellent saves and in a couple of one-on-ones some brave saves. Stood with the lads after the game and discussing the performance it felt almost counter-motivational to have an MotM as they had all played well. They all tried their hardest and they all gave their best for the team. In that regard to single one player felt strange today. This team is growing and we have an opportunity to show how much by lining up against the same Churchdown side next week in the away fixture.
We are showing a more combative spirit and physical confidence. We have quality and now we are working hard to earn the right to show that quality. We have competition for places in nearly all positions now which is new and has to be positive. Freddie Palmer showed some excellent form in the back four and also in midfield alongside both George Garrad and Jordan Pemberton. Sam Hansson Willey started at right back then moved into midfield once we reshuffled. Max Pemberton made his debut against very difficult opponents. Jordan Pemberton showed that, as captain, he can organise a defence even from the touchline.
We need to keep building on that oh and we need to keep the players fit!!
On a rain swept afternoon on Naunton Park the pre-match talk was all about raising our game. The Gotherington match had enabled us to find something out about our players that we didn't know, or certainly hadn't seen. To be combative and strong.
This fixture the message was simple do it again but with an extra 10% as Churchdown, as i say every season, are the strongest team in this division that we have faced.
Lining up a little different to normal in recognition of some of the Gotherington performances we had Will Fenley in goal, the back four right-to-left was Sam Hansson-Willey, Freddie Palmer, George Garrad and Will Davis in left back. Jacob Burgess and Harvey Parker-Allen lined up in front of them as the midfield screen with the the front four of Max Timothy, Louis Casey, Luca Bosano and Dan Hodgin. On the bench Jordan Pemberton, Max Pemberton, Paddy Christopher and Callum Dagnall.
The game kicked off and Churchdown had the majority of possession. With the ball zipping around on the wet turf we were unable to get any passes together and struggled to retain possession. The Churchdown midfield were winning ball and as were forced deeper into our own area were able to progress uncontested. We defended stoutly with the back four holding firm and the midfield assisting to plug gaps. Will Fenley had to make difficult catches as the slippery ball was fired in from distance.
The opening goal went to Churchdown just over half way through the first half, playing the ball in long from the left we failed to clear and the ball was fired into the corner by a Churchdown player. 1-0 down but playing well enough to still be in it.
We lost Harvey Parker-Allen shortly after the first goal to a knee injury. A reshuffle saw Jordan come into centre defence, with Freddie Palmer moving into midfield alongside Jacob. Then we lost our goalkeeper, Will Fenley, to a pulled muscle. This meant some rapid changes, with Jacob taking one for the team and going in goal. Sam Hansson-Willey moved from right back into centre midfield, Paddy Christopher joining the back-four.
Churchdown scored a second goal, the ball flying on over Jacob's head with nothing he could do. 2-0. There was time for us to pull one-back with a fine finish from Dan H. This was followed by a final substitution in the half with Louis Casey, struggling with a knee injury, needing to come off. This saw Max Pemberton thrust into action taking the centre forward role. Luca Bosano switched flanks to left wing and Dan Hodgin moving to right wing.
This was quite a game for Max Pemberton to make his debut in considering that he is playing a year up but he played very well. Hassling the defence when they were in possession and ensuring possession was maintained high up the pitch. First half 2-1 Churchdown.
The instruction for the second half was to get the ball forward with purpose and try to exploit the pace we have against their defence. This almost yielded a goal immediately with the ball played to Max Timothy, again pulling the strings, who laid the ball to Sam. Sam played it into the channel Luca gave chase and his left foot shot flew past the far post. Had that gone in......
The game then ebbed and flowed from end-to-end as players tired and conditions told. Churchdown stil had the better possession although when we broke forward we did look more dangerous. Max Pemberton was getting onto the ball and starting to link well with the other attacking players, with a bit more practice with the team his technical ability will surely shine.
Churchdown scored two further goals to take a 4-1 lead but to the lads credit they continued to press and got a goal back with a finish in the area by Max Timothy from Dan Hodgins corner. 4-2. The gane would finish this way but not before there was another injury.
George playing a barnstorming central defensive role had hurt his leg and was unable to run freely. A final change was made Freddie Palmer dropping into the back 4 alongside Jordan Pemberton and Callum Dagnall coming into central midfield. There were no real further clear cut chances but there was time for another player to get an injury, Paddy Christopher catching and toe-ending the ball away from the Churchdown number 55 who is probably the biggest and certainly one of the fastest players in the division - as they continued full tilt there was an awkward fall. Fortunately he continued and saw the game out.
The game finished 4-2 to Churchdown. It was an excellent game of football played in horrendous conditions and showed the value of having a squad as, for the second week in succession we ended up with only 11 fit players.
Churchdown are a very good team, make no mistake about that, we know a lot about them and they probably have the better record than we do in these head to heads. The gap did not feel that broad today though. Even with the injuries and changes to personnel the boys played, particularly in the second half, some good solid football. Defending first and then trying to show some quality going forward.
The message remains the same control the ball, pass it quickly and support the play. Try to relax in possession and play our game. When we do that we can match anyone even if we don't get the result. Churchdown could not relax in the game today because we kept going.
The man of the match was an odd one today. (Not that he's odd) but it was given to Jacob Burgess as he went into goal after we lost Will Fenley. He was bustling energey in midfield and then in goal made some excellent saves and in a couple of one-on-ones some brave saves. Stood with the lads after the game and discussing the performance it felt almost counter-motivational to have an MotM as they had all played well. They all tried their hardest and they all gave their best for the team. In that regard to single one player felt strange today. This team is growing and we have an opportunity to show how much by lining up against the same Churchdown side next week in the away fixture.
We are showing a more combative spirit and physical confidence. We have quality and now we are working hard to earn the right to show that quality. We have competition for places in nearly all positions now which is new and has to be positive. Freddie Palmer showed some excellent form in the back four and also in midfield alongside both George Garrad and Jordan Pemberton. Sam Hansson Willey started at right back then moved into midfield once we reshuffled. Max Pemberton made his debut against very difficult opponents. Jordan Pemberton showed that, as captain, he can organise a defence even from the touchline.
We need to keep building on that oh and we need to keep the players fit!!
League: LRFC Cougars V Gotherington 16th September 2012
The first game of the season saw us pitted, in a home fixture, against
newly promoted Gotherington Juniors. With three players, two of whom are
defenders, unavailable due to school rugby our back line was depleted.
There was then a further withdrawal with Willbo pulling out with an
injured back in the warm-up. So despite a squad of 15 we were down to 12
fit players.
Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation Will was in goal and in the absence of Jordan captained the side. The back four was Sam, Freddie (who had a stormer and may have found his best position), George and, in his competitive debut Dan G. In front of the back four were Harvey and Jacob as the holding midfielders. In front of them Louis, Max T and Luca with Dan H as the focal point of attack. Callum on the bench.
We started strongly absorbing early Gotherington pressure and started to get on the ball more. Louis on the left was getting loads of the ball and playing neat passes and long crosses into the box for the strikers to latch onto. In deeper midfield Jacob was his usual self, tackling everything and perpetual motion, alongside him Harvey had his best game and is another player who may have found his best position.
In the first half Harvey won more or less all of the long clearances from the Gotherington keeper heading them straight back where they came from. Once we had won the ball he was neat in possession and rarely gave the ball away. He capped a MoTM performance with a fine headed goal, the ball crashing in off the underside of the crossbar, from a Max T corner.
The front four were marauding up front with Max T, despite being in how own words "a little rusty", pulling the strings and using the pace and trickery of the wingers to feed Dan H up front. Dan H, Max T and Luca each scoring a brace and each could have scored more but for some excellent goal-keeping and last ditch defending (and profligate shooting!).
The point was made afterward the match that 5 of our goals came from the ball starting at the back with our goal-keeper. The ball played to the defence then through midfield to the strikers. That, as with the winning of the ball in the air, was a feature of todays performance. While sterner tests will surely come the way we won, retained possession and then in the final third played one and two touch football was lovely to watch.
Callum, as our only sub, was called into action early replacing Dan H up front and then latterly Dan G at left back. With Willbo unable to recover from his back pull we were as Harry (Redknapp) might say down to the bare bones.
The work we have done in training has produced results immediately. Harvey headed the ball more today than in the whole of last season! The back four were talking, calling for the ball and winning headers. The midfielders and wingers were demanding the ball and then helping each other in possession.
As we proved today the front four we have we will always score goals what we need is the platform to allow them to do that. Today we did that.
There were no poor performances in any part of the field today, the team worked hard and learned lessons from last season. That is why we won today.
Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation Will was in goal and in the absence of Jordan captained the side. The back four was Sam, Freddie (who had a stormer and may have found his best position), George and, in his competitive debut Dan G. In front of the back four were Harvey and Jacob as the holding midfielders. In front of them Louis, Max T and Luca with Dan H as the focal point of attack. Callum on the bench.
We started strongly absorbing early Gotherington pressure and started to get on the ball more. Louis on the left was getting loads of the ball and playing neat passes and long crosses into the box for the strikers to latch onto. In deeper midfield Jacob was his usual self, tackling everything and perpetual motion, alongside him Harvey had his best game and is another player who may have found his best position.
In the first half Harvey won more or less all of the long clearances from the Gotherington keeper heading them straight back where they came from. Once we had won the ball he was neat in possession and rarely gave the ball away. He capped a MoTM performance with a fine headed goal, the ball crashing in off the underside of the crossbar, from a Max T corner.
The front four were marauding up front with Max T, despite being in how own words "a little rusty", pulling the strings and using the pace and trickery of the wingers to feed Dan H up front. Dan H, Max T and Luca each scoring a brace and each could have scored more but for some excellent goal-keeping and last ditch defending (and profligate shooting!).
The point was made afterward the match that 5 of our goals came from the ball starting at the back with our goal-keeper. The ball played to the defence then through midfield to the strikers. That, as with the winning of the ball in the air, was a feature of todays performance. While sterner tests will surely come the way we won, retained possession and then in the final third played one and two touch football was lovely to watch.
Callum, as our only sub, was called into action early replacing Dan H up front and then latterly Dan G at left back. With Willbo unable to recover from his back pull we were as Harry (Redknapp) might say down to the bare bones.
The work we have done in training has produced results immediately. Harvey headed the ball more today than in the whole of last season! The back four were talking, calling for the ball and winning headers. The midfielders and wingers were demanding the ball and then helping each other in possession.
As we proved today the front four we have we will always score goals what we need is the platform to allow them to do that. Today we did that.
There were no poor performances in any part of the field today, the team worked hard and learned lessons from last season. That is why we won today.
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