Bishops Cleeve Colts FC - Festival of Football - June 2014

With two teams entered into the tournament, a splattering of new
players and no real goalkeepers (no offence to the lads that took
between the posts) this was going to be a difficult day. That said the
emphasis was on getting the lads to gel, have some fun and just enjoy
the day...I think that we achieved that and with Team Mark making the
final of the plate did come away with some silverware for finishing
runner up in that competition.

The format was an 8 team league with everyone playing each other. The
top 2 would then play off for the trophy with the 3rd and 4th placed
teams competing for the plate.

Team Marcus (doesn't sound that cool now) was made up of Lewis,
Freddie, Luca, Finn, Ryan, Taylor and Max.

Our first game was against Bishops Cleeve Colts Utd Greens, we won 2-0
with both goals from Max. The first a penalty after a handball
decision, the second a strong run down the right and fine finish. 2-0
and tails up. This Cleeve team would go on to win the 3rd/4th place
plate competition. There then followed a run of games where we
struggled to get anything and in fact didn't.

Losing 3-1 to Bishops Cleeve Colts Utd Blacks saw Finn in goal prove
that he is no 'keeper. To be fair to him he's not alone in that
particular club. Taylor showed some quality with a fine finish.

That was followed by a 3-0 defeat to Charlton Rovers Reds where Luca,
in goal, proved equal only to Finn in terms of goal keeping ability.
There's little to say about this match!

We then had the Leckhampton Derby v Team Mark. This looked to be going
for a 0-0 honours even, no bragging rights here, move along nothing to
see. Until a shot that was going wide was turned in off the keeper. It
should be noted though that Freddie had played very well in goal and
was certainly the best keeper in this team.

With heads down we started to turn it around, bizarrely against
Churchdown. Setting up with a false 9 formation the plan was just to
frustrate and essentially park the bus. It worked well, we played with
defensive discipline and although we never mustered a shot we didn't
want to either. Max in goal was only beaten by a header for a long
throw that looped up and dropped into the corner Over his
out-stretched hand. We lost 1-0 but the lads got their confidence
back.

We won the next two matches 1-0 with Luca scoring the winner in both.
Against Charlton Rovers Blues A's finishing from close range following
very fine work from Max out wide to evade a couple of tackles and play
the ball across the goal. The second against Charlton Rovers Blues B's
finishing from the inside right channel after an excellent cross from
deep played by Taylor on huge left wing.

We finished on 9 points, winning 3 and losing 4 matches. Scoring 5
goals and conceding 8.

As always there were positives, Lewis was excellent at the back and
never more so than when breaking forward and taking on the opposition.
He was very unlucky not to score with a couple of thunderous efforts
from distance. Freddie showed good skills and strength to be a very
important player to this team whether in midfield or at the back. Luca
played with discipline in midfield positions and had enough energy to
get forward to score two goals. Max showed flashes of his ability to
jink and weave his way through crowded penalty areas and was at the
heart of a lot of good that we did. Finn has tekkers to burn and can
shimmy and stepover as good as anyone. He was unlucky not to score
with a couple of efforts following fine skills. Ryan was solid in
midfield and defense and settled in as the tournament progressed. A
good debut and plenty more to come. Taylor was also making his debut,
he scored a couple of nice goals. The second of which squeezed into
the smallest gap beyond the keeper. Both lads have undoubted quality
and tournament football not necessarily the best place to show it,
short games and a whole new set of team mates. That aside these were
excellent debuts.

A report on Team Marks performances will follow separately.....

Thanks to the parents for their support and banter through the day....
It seemed an overly long tournament but everyone was smiling.

Cleeve Tournament - Sunday 29/06

This Sunday is the Bishops Cleeve FC tournament. We have two teams entered, Team Mark and Team Marcus! Details of the squads are further down in this update. 

Entry to the tournament will be via Kayte Lane. Please be there for 9:30 with the first fixtures kicking off at 10. 

Subs for this tournament are £3 per player to cover entry costs. 

Please make sure the lads have some snacks and plenty to drink, although there will be a tuck shop there too. 

The following is from the organisers.....

"...As in previous years, the tournament will be based at Bishops Cleeve FC, Kayte Lane and we will also be using our usual home ground adjoining.  Please make sure that you access the ground via BCFC, Kayte Lane and not our usual car park as it will not be in use on the day.   Parking will be available in the field opposite BCFC, but to help minimise congestion, and also in the interests of environment, please car share where possible.

(The police will be enforcing a no parking zone on the adjoining roads.)

There is an Entrance Fee of £2.50 per family attending.  This charge will include the Tournament Programme and also goes towards provision of the many trophies that are presented to the teams.

Changing facilities for players will be available at the ground.  There will also be a range of hot food, including burgers, hot-dogs, chips etc. available to purchase plus full bar facilities for the over 18s..."

Team Mark

George (Captain)

Dan G*

Tom*

Louis

Will T*

Alf

Marlowe

Lewis HF*

Team Marcus

Lewis C

Freddie*

Ryan

Max

Luca (Captain)

Finn

Taylor

We have some spare kit that we can let the new lads have. If they have a green kit that they can use or socks then please wear it. We are also playing without recognised keepers, if the lads have goally gloves please ask them to bring them so we are covered. We have one goalkeeper shirt borrowed so, again, if anyone has a spare please bring it.

One final comment.........the end of season training and open trials have been a real success with real interest in the team from good players. Unfortunately we will not be able to take on all the new lads so difficult decisions will have to be made. We will make these early next week after the tournament.

If there's any issues or problems ahead of Sunday please contact Marcus on 07973 659628.

Final Training Session

​Tonight (25/06) is the final training session and open trial of the season​.

This is as the Cleeve Tournament on Sunday marks the end of our season. We have had a good turnout to sessions through June and excellent interest in joining the team for next season as we move into U15's.

This will all be finalised in the early part of next week as we look at how many players we need tro recruit versus who has shown the interest.

We have two teams entered into the Cleeve tournament and will be confirming the squads by Friday.

LRFC Cougars - Training this Wednesday (18/06)

This is a reminder that we are training at Naunton Park this Wednesday from 1830-1930.

 

Confirm that you are coming along via our new Facebook Group that you can locate here.

LRFC Cougars - Facebook Group

To help with communications with both parents and players a new Facebook Group has been set up called "LRFC Cougars" if you use Facebook please join this group as communications and some other fun stuff will be posted via this mechanism. 

The website will still be at the core of what we do and should be the go-to place for information but the use of the Facebook Group will grow as a communications tool. This on the basis that the lads are now more self sufficient and have been turning up to Wednesday training at all sorts of random times. 

The group is available via this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/1431096053818086/ - log into Facebook and join.

New Signing for U15's Season 14/15

We are pleased to announce that for next season we have re-signed, or
is that resigned?, Finn.

Where to start..... Finn left the team last season to play rugby and
is coming back to the beautiful game. A skilful player he brings with
him an abundance of what I believe youngsters call Tekkers.

We dispensed with the need for a medical for fear of what they may
turn up. If you can't handle the answer don't ask the question!

Welcome back Finn!

End of Season Awards 2013/14

At the LRFC Awards today awards were made to the following players....

Most Improved Player - Dan Griffiths

Clubman - Ben Higgs

Players Player - George Garrad (for the 6th year running, although it is also worth noting that there were votes for 5 other players too).

Top Scorer - Dan Hodgin (13 goals)

Managers Player - Freddie Palmer

==========

End of Season Review 

It has been a difficult season, particularly in the latter half where we struggled a bit in Division 1, we did maintain our status though which was important to us as one of only two teams who have done this since we started at U9's. 

We did start to show the improvements necessary to be competitive towards the end of the season and need to remember this as we go into next season. 

There is a full end-of-season review and school report from this season available here. 
==========

End of Season Survey
Thanks to all the lads for completing the end of season survey - there were some great answers.....

Have you enjoyed playing for LRFC Cougars this season?

• "...Yes it was nice playing local football with my friends..."
• "...Yes, i have become a better player this season..."
• "...I have loved it because i'm playing in a team with friends..."
• "...yes! even though it was the hardest season yet..."

What do you think you need to do to improve?

Lots of responses around fitness, heading, shooting, tackling etc but surely the best response has to be "...Keep Growing!..."

==========

We still have the Bishops Cleeve Tournament to play at the end of this month and will continue with training and trials on Wednesdays (1830-1930 at Naunton Park) through until then. 

Training & Trial Tonight

Well done to the magnificent 7 that turned up for training tonight
despite the weather. That included a new old face in Finn!

Finn has lost none of his tricks and won the keepy-uppy competition with 78.

Same time next week boys and tell your friends, that's 6:30 Freddie!

Two goalkeepers required

We have two squads entered into the Bishops Cleeve Tournament on 29/06
and need two goal keepers to step up! (Will F will now be away when
the tournament takes place).

Who's brave enough to step up to the challenge?

LRFC Presentation Day - Sunday 7the June, Leckhampton School

Training & Trials - Resume this week

Following a half term break training and the open trials resume this Wednesday (04/06) and will also take place on 11/06, 18/06 and 25/06 ahead of the Cleeve Tournament on 29/06.

Lets get as many of the current squad along for the sessions and if they have any mates looking for a team please spread the word.

If anyone requires more information please contact Marcus.