Since that match we have had contrasting fortunes with Lakeside being relegated to division 2 at the end of last season. On a glorious afternoon with the sun shining and no rain the teams took to the pitch. Our matches with Lakeside have generally been physical (but fair) encounters with Lakeside very strong in the air and with 50-50's. The instructions at the start of the match were to match them in this and to then start to play our passing game. A familiar starting line-up of Will Fenley, resplendent in gold, in goal with a back four of Paddy Christopher, Freddie Palmer, George Garrad and Will Davis. A holding pair of Jacob Burgess and Harvey Parker-Allen. Then an attacking four of Louis Casey on the left wing, Sam Hansson-Willey as the playmaker behind Daniel Hodgin and Luca Bosano playing the right wing.
The pitch has quite a slope (is there a youth pitch that doesn't) and we played the first half up the hill. Lakeside were putting in long direct balls that were forcing us back. We started to win the ball and get it down. Sam Hansson-Willey was involved a lot early in the game, linking well with Jacob Burgess and Harvey Parker-Allen. At the back Freddie Palmer and George Garrad were seeing plenty of action and working well together. Winning the ball and then using the wide defenders, Paddy Christopher and Will Davis to keep possession and start moving forward.
Despite having better quality possession we were unable to make it count being caught offside a couple of times when breaking through and lacking a clinical touch in the Lakeside area. There was also some stoic defending from one of the Lakeside players at the back who caught the eye.
When the opening goal eventually came it was a player opening his account. Max Pemberton had been introduced as a late substitute. Playing in the withdrawn role behind Daniel Hodgin he finished well following persistent wing play from the right wing by Luca to play him through. A decisive strike beat the keeper and opened Max' account for the Cougars. Just reward for some excellent performances since joining us.
This was then followed with another goal within a minute or two (buses etc and so on...) by a fine strike from Daniel Hodgin who can't help but score when on the pitch! The half time whistle followed shortly after.
There were changes made at half time, Dan Griffiths replacing Will Davis at left back and Harvey Parker-Allen resuming his position alongside Jacob Burgess as the midfield screen.
The instruction at half time was to continue as we were, with increasing possession and the midfield winning the battle we expected, playing down hill, to have more opportunities on goal. How right we were. We kicked off the second half, after six (maybe seven) passes the ball was slipped into the inside right channel for Luca to chase down. As the keeper came out he lofted the ball over his head and into the net.
A fine team goal well finished. 3-0.
At 3-0 more changes were made with Paddy Christopher and Freddie Palmer making way for Sam Hansson-Willey (coming on at right back) and Will Davis (returning to the centre of defence). In midfield (with one eye on next weeks County Cup game) Luca moved up front with Callum Dagnall coming on into the right of midfield for Daniel Hodgin.
There were more goals to come. Luca completed his brace with another fine finish from the inside right channel, again chipping the onrushing keeper. Max also completed his brace with a neat goal following some great interplay with Louis Casey and the midfield players. 5-0 up.
In the last quarter Lakeside rallied, as you would expect, and with the Cougars being a little out of shape due to the changes made were able to score two goals. It could have been more but William Fenley, in goal, made an out-standing save late, catching the ball high and clinging on to stop it flying in over his head. Paddy Christopher playing right back had a very strong game, particularly in the second half where he had to defend much more. Harvey Parker-Allen played intelligently today covering positions when players either broke forward or were pulled out of position. Jacob Burgess was dominant in midfield, showing tenacity in the tackle and then guile in possession.
The match finished 5-2 to the Cougars. We perhaps could have scored more but this was a match that gave an opportunity to make a lot of changes and ensure that the lads all got some good game time. The versatility we have was apparent with, due to the changes, a couple of the lads playing in a number of different positions.
Up front the technical ability that the boys have is excellent Louis Casey hugged the left touchline, was always available to receive a pass and never gave the ball away. His link play with Max Pemberton (who is a real box of tricks on the ball and perpetual motion) was just superb today. Max was very close today for the MoTM but that went to Luca. For his powerful and typically energetic play on the wing, an assist for the opening goal and two very well executed goals himself.
We are into the quarter finals of the cup where we will face Painswick Youth U13's on 11/11.
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