A game of two halves

Sunday 6th January LRFC Cougars U13 (2) V (5) Cleeve Colts

This was a real game of two halves. On a spongy pitch where one corner in particular was very touch and go the game went ahead despite some last minute head scratching about the conditions. We kicked off playing down the slope (there is a slight slope on the middle pitch at Naunton Park). With the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.

George at right back, Jordan and Paddy as centre backs and Willbo at left back. Freddie and Jacob played in front of them. The attacking quartet was then Sam on the right, Dan H in the number 10 role with Louis wide left. Up front Luca played in an unfamiliar position. From the off the Cougars started well putting immediate pressure on the Cleeve goal. There was a spell where in the first 10 minutes we must have had 15 corners. Despite this territorial advantage we were unable to make it count so for all the pressure a goal was not coming. Cleeve were struggling to get out of their goal area let alone their half. Conditions played a part but the Cougars tails were up and there was some nice interplay with Louis, Dan and Luca linking to good effect.

Not long into the first half we lost Willbo who felt sick. Dan G came on at left back and had a good half, defending well and showing ability with both feet.

The opening goal came from a neat finish from Luca in the box. After some lovely build up play from Louis and Dan H he took his shot early with the ball rolling inside the far post 1-0. There was then a Cleeve break with their number 9 bursting through only to hit his shot straight at Will F in goal. A warning shot that we needed to heed. The second goal, when it came was also the Cougars, the ball was fed through by Dan H for Luca to chase and finish beyond the keeper, in off the post. 2-0 and looking comfortable. There was then a rasping drive hit by Dan from way outside the box, with the ball arrowing towards the top corner the Cleeve keeper made an out-standing save to deny what would have been an excellent strike. We had more chances with both Luca and Dan going close with chances and Louis clear with the ball on his right foot could only stike it at the keeper (good that he took it with his right though).

The half finished with the Cougars dominant although only 2 goals up.

The second half kicked off with Cleeve taking the centre. Clearly fired up with instructions to start fast and hard. They flew at us down the middle of the pitch only to see a shot fly narrowly over the goal. The next 20 minutes we were not in the game. cleeve were first to every ball and basically wanted it more. They pulled one back with a neat finish at the near post from the inside left position. The equalising goal was scored from an improbable angle from the byline by the right post. Definately one of those where you ask 'did he mean it?'

Cleeve continued to apply the pressure with their number 10 getting a hat-trick seemingly through desire to win the ball. Will, who had an excellent game in goal, made a stunning save to deny a long shot only to see the cleeve number 10 burst through into the box to score from close range. We were ragged now and every Cleeve attack looked likely to bring a goal. Changes were made with Max P coming on initially into midfield and then latterly up front where he was much more comfortable and effective showing good skills on the ball. Working space he managed to get a couple of shots away but on a heavy pitch struggled to get the required power to trouble the keeper. That was it for the last 20 minutes really, when we did get shots away there was nothing to trouble the keeper.

Chasing the game at 5-2 we pushed Jordan into midfield where we were being over run. Jacob and Freddie and then Max P and also Sam fought to try and retain possession but were over run. As the game played out we threatened on occassion but in reality the game was over.

A game of two halves where in the second half there was only one team that wanted to win it and win it they did. The importance of momentum was evident again today, at half time and 2-0 up we had the momentum. Cleeve flew at us with desire and purpose in the second half and we froze particularly in defending (all over the pitch). We need to show much more aggression towards the ball than we did. When the ball is loose in the box it should be a Cougar that gets there not an opponent. We were guilty of ball watching, relying on other team mates to win back possession rather than take responsibility. Against an opponent that wanted it we had no real answer. Fitness appeared to be an issue too - maybe too much xbox over Christmas ;)

I was pleased with the maturity shown at the final whistle too. The lesson being if you are going to talk trash you better make sure you win!

We get an opportunity to put it right with the return against Cleeve next Sunday (13/01).  Once again lets learn the lessons from Sunday and show them what we are really about.