Churchdown Panthers (3) V (1) LRFC Cougars
When you concede a goal after 1 minute and 24 seconds you might think that you are in for a long afternoon and a drubbing. While we did lose the game we did not let our heads drop despite the early set-back and we actually got ourselves back into the game.
A late switch of venue as Naunton Park was under-water meant we played away at Churchdown. The pitch was in remarkable condition considering the monsoon that Cheltenham had overnight.
Churchdown are a quality side and have been a strong opposition every time we have faced them. Today was no different. In recognition of this we set-up in a 4-51 formation with the emphasis being on being fully committed to the game and staying solid as a team. Defending as a unit and when the opportunities presented themselves attacking as a unit too. The early exchanges came down our left with the conditions forcing play across to that side of the pitch. The Churchdown striker was the outlet and the duel between him and George was an excellent spectacle. Both playing at top speed and full commitment. Willbo and Louis, both on the left, had a busy first half with Willbo putting in an excellent first half performance where he was tested to his limits. In the middle Jacob and Tom were busy breaking up play and trying to stem the flow. With Will T alongside them they were constantly looking forward to spring Dan against the defenders and try to turn the play.
The opening goal was an excellent finish. The ball was swung in from the Churchdown right and drifted towards the far post. We failed to win the ball in the air and the Churchdown attacked hooked the ball into the top of the net. By no means an easy finish. We were then under the cosh for a long period before we started to get some joy pushing forward. Tom was starting to get onto the ball and drive at the Churchdown defence. What we were missing was the final pass, from wherever we were trying the final ball would just not fall.
The outlet was always the wings and Will F was finding Louis with his goal kicks time and again. Louis was linking with Tom and Will T but again when we needed a final pass it was just awry. On the right Luca and Fred were linking well and Luca had occasion to stretch his legs a couple of times and drive at the Churchdown defence. Late in the half he hit a cross that drifted agonisingly wide of the post despite lunges from both Dan and Will T who were just unable to make a connection. At right back Fred was playing excellently ad with his nimble feet danced his way clear on more than one occasion where he really should not have been able to. At one point he was likened to Nijinsky....the dancer not the race horse ;)
Ben started at centre-back and was assured when called upon as we have come to expect. Rarely putting a foot wrong and rarely needing more than one or two touches to do his thing. Where we struggled was when the ball was in the air and with the power of the Churchdown team. When we got possession we struggled to keep the ball and were trying to catch them on the break through the pace and guile of the wingers, the pace and power of Dan and the drive of Will T.
That Churchdown were not more than one goal up at half time was down to the defenders and, in particular, Will who made some excellent saves. Marshalled his area excellently and showed calm and accurate distribution despite wild conditions. This was, on a day of excellent performances, a captains and MotM display.
Second half the wind was more into our faces and with tired legs we were defending much deeper than we had been and much deeper than was safe to do. Goals were still not forthcoming though. Last ditch tackles and more saves by Will keeping us in the game. The half was not very old when we hd possibly our best spell, turning the Churchdown players and getting some breaks through the middle and wide. Louis proved a great outlet hugging the left touchline. We were unable, though, to turn this into meaningful chances. The second goal came midway through the half with the Churchdown striker breaking through the middle to finish high over Wills head. A good goal that Will had no chance of saving.
Our substitute for the game arrived with the second half about 15 minutes old. Some miscommunication meant that Lewis thought the game was cancelled. he arrived and sauntered over at which he was told to warm up and get ready as he was going on. A change was made with Freddie coming off for a breather and Lewis going to right back. a few moments later some more shuffling saw Tom deployed to right back, Ben pushing into midfield and Lewis restored to more familiar territory in the heart of the defence.
Churchdown scored their third goal from their left winger who scored an excellent individual goal finishing past Will from close range. At three nil we looked shattered. The effort that had been put in all over the pitch was starting to tell. We then lost two players, first Tom to a turned ankle and then Will T, also with a turned ankle, a repeat of his injury against Painswick. With a few minutes remaining and the game effectively lost we continued with 10 men. Dan then scored. Put through the middle he outpaced and out-muscled the defence to finish past the keeper. 3-1 and how the game would end.
There was lots to admire in this game. Two teams playing football the right way. A competitive game played in great spirit. From the Cougars point of view it was simple, play as if you were going to lose and you would lose. What we wanted was a game played with passion and commitment. What is the point of not leaving it all on the pitch? Give your all and what will be will be. Conceding so early meant that we were never really in the game, and we did lose the match, but we did not make it easy for Churchdown and we made a real game of it.
Every one of the players gave their all and raised their game a few notches. That is something that we have not done enough of this season and something that leaves us feeling very proud of every one of them.
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