Fintan FC (5) v (2) LRFC Cougars
With the Southside tournament being cancelled and robbing us of our
competitive summer outing a friendly against newly promoted Fintan FC
was organised. Playing on the 3G AstroTurf at All Saints Academy in
glorious sunshine the setting could not really have been better.
With a couple of late withdrawals from the squad, we drafted in a
couple of guest players in Will T and Fergus. They did not start the
match though and we lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The back 4
(left-to-right) of Dan G, Lewis, Willbo and Sam. The holding
midfielders were Jacob and Tom. In front of them Dan on the right,
George M in the middle Callum on the left and Luca up front.
We kicked off and Fintan were definitely more awake as within 1 minute
we were behind to a good finish from their barnstorming striker.
Plenty of time to recover the situation and from that goal we had our
best passage of play slowing pushing them back and having more
possession. Where we looked vulnerable was when the ball was played to
the striker. An early foray into the Fintan box saw Luca have a shot,
followed by powerful running from Dan H that the keeper tipped onto
the bar. Good build up, good shot and good save.
We remained vulnerable when the ball reached their striker but for the
early exchanges Lewis, in his Cougars debut, showed good strength,
tenacity and positioning to take the ball off his foot or block shots.
When he did break through his shots were full powered but, luckily for
us, way off target. But for better finishing he could have probably
scored half a dozen goals today.
Our front players were starting to link and keep possession but when
we needed the final ball or pass the Fintan defence were equal to it.
We didn't get much luck but that was down to the defensive
performance. With a defender at 6' 2" (and 13 years old) it was a bit
men against boysat time.
Half time and it was 2-2. Fintan took the lead to go 2-1 up with then
Will scoring an equalising goal.
With two substitutes we made many changes and played some of the lads
in different positions. George M played at the tip of the diamond at
the start of the match and latterly in the holding role. Dan H and
Luca played on wings and up front. As did Callum playing both wings
and striker. Sam played right back and right wing to good effect. This
was as much to see what it looked like as much as it was to rotate
players and keep them fresh in the heat. As the game progressed the
Fintan team looked stronger and started to punch holes through our
midfield and defence.
Fintan scored 3 goals in the second half to win 5-2. Will made a
number of good saves and there was some misfiring in front of goal.
The game could have been lost by more. We still had good possession
but failed to turn that into shots and more importantly goals. What we
needed were options in midfield which come the new season will be
available.
Positives from the game were Lewis making an excellent debut against a
very strong and powerful striker. He looked strong, pacy and showed
composure when he won the ball. An excellent acquisition who may have
found his position.
Dan G showed improving form despite cricket injuries (is that even
possible?). Willbo was ever reliable and maintained his 100% record!
Jacob was metronomic in midfield, mopping up as much as he could,
linking well with Tom, George and Will T. George M played well in two
positions and will certainly improve as he gets used to the runs that
the lads make. Nice skills to get a yard, just needs to release the
ball quicker. Same for Tom really, tenacity and energy in abundance
and skills too. It's learning when to release. the ball. When we did
that we looked good. Dan H and Luca showed what we know already and it
was a shame that early shots didn't come off, on another day perhaps.
Up front we know we have the pace and skill to cause problems for any
opposition what we need to do is work on doing that closer to their
goal. Most of our good work was in, safe, midfield areas.
Oh and we need to communicate more. Much, much more. We need talkers
on the pitch, in every position.
Well done to Fintan, they are a strong team and deserved the result.
We look forward to meeting them in the league next season.
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