Park the bus....

Cheltenham Youth League
Gotherington Juniors U13's (1) V (4) LRFC Cougars
1400hrs kick off, King George V Playing field

This was an odd game to watch, it seemed to take an age to get going. With the Cougars dominating possession we were restricted to long shots from the edge of the box with Freddie, Jacob and Max all going close without being on target. We could not thread the balls to the wide men or strikers as Gotherington defended in numbers and when their defenders had it it was immediately sent long. 

Where Gotherington are dangerous is on the break as they have an out-standing striker. With the Cougars all pressing forward we were caught out and conceded an early goal. To the lads credit they didn't panic or start to play any differently. 

We created chances with the wide players sending the ball across the penalty area but no player advanced enough to capitalise. The equalising goal came from Luca following a goal mouth scramble he prodded the ball home from close range. 1-1 and nerves settled.

The pattern of play continued with the cougars enjoying the majority of possession and Gotherington looking dangerous on the break .

Half time and the score was 1-1.

the instruction at half time was to try and get some energy into our play. Not that the lads were tired, it was just that they were missing some zip. 

The second half kicked off and playing down the slope the pattern of play was very similar. The second goal came courtesy of Conor on his return to the side. Picking the ball up outside the area he hit a right footed shot into the top left corner, leaving the keeper no chance. 2-1 and the goal that really turned the game around. With Gotherington restricted to chasing long punts from their defenders the game was going as we anticipated.

With changes being made through the side we were able to maintain the same pattern of play. Sam on the right had a very strong game. Always a threat with his guile he linked well with Jacob, Tom and Max to play dangerous balls into the box. Equally Louis on the left touchline was having another superb game. Using all his skill and trickery to get forward and fizz the ball into the box. 

We still needed a goal to put the game beyond doubt and it came from Luca. Bursting through the middle onto a Max through ball following great industry from Sam he put the ball into the bottom left beyond the keeper. 3-1.

We then lost Louis to a sprained ankle but there was time for one more goal. With Daniel coming on for the last 5 minutes, in place of the injured Louis, we won a corner to be taken from the right. Dan drove it across the penalty area inside the 6 yard box. The ball deflected over the bar from the Gotherington defender with no Cougar inside the 6 yard box. Another corner, same side, same taker.

Instructions shouted to Sam to get in the 6 yard box. Instructions ignored and shouted again, and again, and again. Sam eventually positioned himself inside the 6yard box. Dan duly obliged with a perfect corner that arrowed to his forehead, Sam cushioned the header back across the keeper and into the net. 4-1.

The game finished shortly afterwards. 

We took a while to get going in this game, the opposition were set out to defend deep and play the ball long turning us around to then start again with an attack. The lads struggled against this tactic and were frustrated by it. It is a tactic though and so needs to be broken down. We did create a number of chances from wide positions that we were unable to capitalise on today. 

What was pleasing today was that we were able to make changes without disrupting our play. We also used some players in different positions with Freddie playing holding midfield and then striker later in the game. The wide players, Louis and Sam, both had excellent games. Conor in the middle was out-standing and scored the goal that set us on the way to victory. Paddy at the back was a little rusty, not having kicked a ball in quite a few weeks, but soon settled and got more and more involved as the game progressed. Willbo and Dan G showed good decision making in a match when they were often isolated. 

George played today but struggled with his calf in the second half. Hopefully a few days rest will see him OK for Thursday evening in Chalford. Tom provided much needed energy and dribbling ability in the midfield and was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions. Ditto Max really, who was pulling the strings but just not able to get his shots away quickly enough. 

Man of the match was a difficult one today as the match was pretty flat. Conor, on his return scored a memorable goal and was solid in the heart of midfield. Sam was challenging following a great display wide-right and also scoring a memorable goal. As a result of which both lads were awarded the honor!

There are three matches remaining this season that will surely provide a sterner test and ultimately shape our season. We are playing well and scoring goals so our confidence should be high.

Well done to the lads and thanks, once again and as ever, to the great support we had on the touchline.