County Cup 22/09

County Cup - Charlton Rovers Reds (4) v (2) LRFC Cougars

Some match reports are easy to write, this one less so.

The lads have not been that down after a defeat in a long time.
Perhaps ever. They were a little shell shocked.

We knew that Charlton Rovers were going to start strong, as they had
in the league match a fortnight ago. We weathered that storm but
looked a little shaky this time. Under pressure in midfield we
struggled to keep possession or get meaningful ball to the strikers.

Defending was a little last ditch at times with Freddie and Ben
catching the eye with composure on the ball. Lewis centrally was
holding up well and his pace was required a couple of times. Dan G in
the other full back position started well.

In midfield the ploy was to play 2 holding midfielders, Jacob - ever
present - with in a new pairing Will D alongside him. This was
deliberate with Will instructed to play the deeper role. Win headers
and generally act as the stopper. He did this to great effect using
nice technique to sand-wedge the ball out to the wide players and up
front.

In front of the holding pair were Max, Louis and Harvey with then Luca
starting up front.

Our front players linked well and played some nice football but it was
too far away from the Charlton Rovers goal to be meaningful. When we
broke there was a lot of grass to run into which enabled defenders to
cover. When we did get clear it was Luca who played the ball out wide
around the keeper only to see his shot his the post and rebound out.

Charlton Rovers then scored twice in quick succession. A shot leaving
Will no chance and then a goal scrambled from our failure to clear a
corner. 2-0 up and momentum very much with them. We needed a goal
before half time to stay in the game.

Cue some changes, and, being a cup game the ethos around these was
very different. We needed to get back into and win the game. Dan G
made way for Harvey to drop back into defence, Luca came into central
midfield for Jacob and Dan H came on in attack.

We got a goal back before half time from the boot of Dan H, starting
on the bench due to a back injury, he unleashed his power and
outpacing a defender, rounding the keeper finished from distance. 2-1
at half time.

The second half instructions were to keep playing our way. To keep the
ball moving and be decisive. To not be outwitted or outmuscled in
midfield. There was an improvement.

Willbo moved to centre back for the struggling Lewis, Jacob came on in
midfield and Dan stayed up front. Max and Louis started to link more
and make progress down the left. Louis had a great match and went
close on a couple of occasions with some long range efforts. The
intelligence and movement around their link play was excellent.

Charlton Rovers took the kick-off and played the ball back. Dan H
burst forward robbing the defender and shooting powerfully across the
goal into the far bottom corner. 2-2 and game on.

The game was now more evenly contested in midfield with Luca and Jacob
both showing incredible box-to-box energy. George M, playing wide
right was getting more involved and playing some nice passes to the
front players. He would take a nasty whack in the face later for his
troubles but kept his composure and calm.

Neither team was able to make the breakthrough.

With a little more than 5 minutes remaining, just as both teams were
preparing for penalties, the breakthrough came. Charlton Rovers
latching onto a through ball that as we had all pushed forward saw him
finish high over Wills head. 3-2.

Kitchen sink time.

Pushing more players forward in search of an equaliser defending was
very much secondary. Another ball down to the Charlton Rovers winger
saw him bundle past Lewis and score from distance.

I guess you may as well lose 4-2 as 3-2.

The game finished shortly afterwards.

As always you look for positives and there were plenty. Freddie at
full back is growing into the position. Willbo, who was motm, showed
composure in both midfield and defence. Not frightened of using his
head he also has good technique and calmness on the ball. Out on the
left Louis is always a threat and his link play is excellent. A proper
winger who can weave his magic with a drop of his shoulder. You
realise how good he is in the physical games when the opposition
struggle to get near him. Ditto Max, he showed some great touches and
passing but was unable to play the killer ball. This was testament to
the Charlton Rovers defence that played a high line meaning we did a
lot of our attacking play too far for the goal.

Harvey is developing into a talker of the pitch - something we all
need to do more of. Luca showed good ability and incredible energy as
a box to box midfielder in the central positions. Jacob, as ever, just
never stops playing.

The games come thick and fast now and we have an opportunity to put
this behind us and move on with a league fixture this Sunday against
Lakeside. As long as we continue to learn from our victories and
defeats we are not going too far wrong.