Painswick hoo-doo

Cheltenham Youth League
Painswick Youth (4) v (0) LRFC Cougars
King George V Playing field, Bisley

Sunday was a tough day at the office. What did this game show? Well it showed, primarily, that we need to be more physical and competitive against the better teams. The problems that have dogged us for a couple of seasons remain the same. The second half of this game we struggled to get going and compete....

But the game also showed the importance of decisions.   A very harsh offside call against Dan running clean through on goal resulted in a free kick. From that free-kick Painswick pump the ball forward and win a penalty, which also looked a harsh decision on Jacob who was clearing the ball for a corner.

At this point the game was 0-0, and while Painswick had better possession they never really created a clear cut chance. Whilst we were defending deep when we broke forward we looked dangerous. Playing counter attacking football and looking particularly effective down the left with Louis linking well with Tom, Dan, Will T and behind them Will D defending well. As one of the centre-backs, George was in full fireman mode putting out fires all over the pitch.

For his constant energy, drive and ferocious tackling George was the MotM. Other particularly strong performances were from Tom who never stopped working and Will T who also never stopped working and was trying to drive the team on at every opportunity.

Trouble, though, started when we started losing players. After about 10 minutes we lost Luca to his continuing knee problems (curse you osgood schlatters). This meant pushing Will T to wide right from the number 10 role and bringing Max on. We then lost Will T to a clash of heads. He asked to come off the pitch which was the clearest indication that something was wrong with him. He would come back on but didn't really look like he was 100%. His match was over mid-way through the second half when he turned his ankle. In the second half we also lost Will F in goal who making a brave save at the feet of the Painswick attacker took a heavy knock on his knee. Jacob donned the gloves to take up a rare position between the posts that he does at least once a season.  We finished with three players carrying injuries, again showing the benefits of having a full squad.

The last action of the first half was the ball flying high into our goal from the penalty spot. If the offside against Dan is not given that doesn't happen. We either score or it stays 0-0. Half time was tough as the lads were doubly down. The message was to keep going, 1-0 down we were still in game. Second half started and with the lads all pushing forward we got caught at the back. The pacy Painswick striker clearing the defence and, despite George racing back to challenge, slotting past Will who had no chance.  2-0.

Still there was around 20 minutes to play. The final 20 minutes we created a couple of half chances that the keeper saved. As we continued to chase the game Painswick would score 2 more goals to put a gloss on the final result. If you're losing 2-0 you may as well have a go and lose 4-0 as Kevin Keegan might very well have said once. Some tired legs on a big pitch - probably from rugby and other weekend sports - meant we never really played at our best or looked like turning it around.

The 3rd goal was a good strike that showed our frailty at being decisive in certain areas. The Painswick player bursting inside from the left wing position outpacing and evading the defence to fire low into the far corner. The best goal of the game. There was time for a 4th which flew in off a heavy deflection leaving Jacob no chance.  Jacob also made a couple of excellent saves to keep Painswick at bay.

The match finished 4-0.

Decisions can change matches and while there is, obviously, no guarantee of an outcome, two decisions at the critical moment in this game did change the pattern. It is difficult to pick yourself up from that. That said, the comments at the start of this report hold true. We need to get tougher and more competitive. Show more aggression towards the ball. Close down opposition players quickly, and be more positive when we have the ball. We have to recognize that Painswick were much better at that, and that made the difference.