Deja vu...

Southside FC U14's (2) V (4) LRFC Cougars

Burrows

10-Nov-2013

Same teams, same pitch, different day and different competition. The message at the start of this match was that this would be a tougher proposition as Southside would have felt they would have us figured out. 

Lining up in a very different format to normal we started in a 4-2-4 formation that would be when we were attacking would be 2-4-4 and when defending 4-4-2. The full backs and wingers being asked to support play in both directions. This was in acknowledgement of the amount of possession that we had in the previous week when we played Southside in the league. 

The game would follow an almost identical pattern of play as last week. Cougars playing up the slope against a pacy and strong Southside team. Southside playing much more centrally and with the Cougars trying to use the width of the pitch. We dominated early possession with Jacob and Will T covering a huge amount of ground in the middle of the pitch to keep the ball and spread the play wide at every opportunity. With Freddie and Harvey overlapping from the full-back positions and Louis and Luca covering the wings we were dominating but, again, without creating any clear chances. Up front Daniel and Max were making very similar runs, both pulling out wide to get the ball but then having no-one to pass to centrally. At centre back, George and Ben were linking well with George flying into tackles and Ben confident and assured in possession. 

The opening goal came from Southside. A break through the middle and the ball going beyond Will into the corner. 1-0 down but no reason to panic. We made some changes bringing Jorge into attack for Max with the instruction to play much more centrally and stay as point man. Dan was instructed to do the movement out wide with Jorge the outlet centrally. At the back Harvey made way for Willbo in left back position. 

The equalising goal came shortly afterwards, Southside under pressure failed to clear their lines properly and with the keeper out of the goal Jorge finished coolly from outside the area into an empty net over the crowd of players. 1-1 and how the half would finish. In central midfield Will T was catching the eye, playing with his head up and always finding a team mate the link between him and Jacob was excellent. Similarly Freddie was always an outlet on the right and started excellently communicating when playing the ball forward. Something we all still need to do!

Tom had joined the throng in midfield with Will T pushing up front and Daniel making way. Tom played an absolute stormer and was heard to confess to being exhausted at the end of the game - something he's not admitted ever before. Ever!

Further changes were made 5 minutes into the half with Will T moving wide left. Almost immediately he scored the goal that put us into the lead. Receiving the ball he rolled the defender and sent his shot beyond the 'keeper. 2-1. Playing down the slope we completely dominated possession with Tom becoming more and more influential, liking well with Louis and Harvey, back on at left back. With 4 serviceable substitutes, we lost Lewis to a knee injury following his morning rugby exertions, we made changes more frequently rotating the players through different positions. Will got his second following his switch to the right wing, that put us 3-1 up. Jorge would add a 4th and there was time for Southside to get one back although by now the game was over. 

There was a cameo appearance from Callum coming onto the right wing. He made an excellent contribution playing some good early crosses that we were unlucky not to score from. He also went close with a shot late on in the game. 

There was time for Southside to put us under some pressure before the end with their pacy defender stretching his legs and attacking us down the wing. His pace and strength seeing him fly past most of our team. Some last ditch defending kept him at bay but it was a warning and a glimpse of what he was capable of.  

Will T was the MotM for an all round excellent game and for scoring the goals early in the second half to set us on our way to victory. The other stand-out performances, Harvey at left-back and Tom centrally were also excellent. 

Another solid team performance. Some of our passing was a little awry particularly when pushing wide, communication will go a long way to helping this. We also continue to be reticent to head the ball from goal kicks. This is something we really need to start doing as it turns the opposition immediately from their own possession. 

The semi-final of the C&G Cup is to be played in March where we will face Churchdown Panthers Colts.