Hercules

LRFC Cougars (2) v (1) Charlton Rovers Reds

Last season we would have lost this game. This was a hard fought,
physical, but fair, contest where we needed to be strong to earn the
result.

The game kicked off and, as expected, the Reds came at us strong. They
were dominating in midfield where we were outnumbered. With all the
pressure they did create chances that we were able to block or snuff
out. Too much of the opening 15-20 minutes, though, was being played
in our half. Reds were attacking down their right, we missed the
opportunity to switch play and were playing down our left. Hercules
and Louis were seeing a lot of the ball in defensive and progressive
positions.

With the Reds continuing to attack and dominate central positions
George and Lewis were in action from the off. In midfield Ryan and
Freddie were plugging gaps but as they pushed forward there were gaps
appearing. As for our front players, they really weren't getting much
of the ball and when they did were trying to hard to create the magic
which the Reds defence were equal to.

The opening goal came from Reds pressure in our box. As the ball flew
in high George got a head to it but not enough of a connection. The
ball spun into the air and looped over Wills head. A daft goal to
concede but in the conditions just one of those things. To their
immense credit the lads heads never dropped.

Last season we would have lost this match.

Midway through we swapped Freddie for Ben, his instruction was to sit
a little deeper, pick up the ball and with his economical style look
to move the ball wide quickly. This started to pay dividends as he
provided a platform for the more offensive players to press from.

We pulled a goal back after about 30 minutes. Luca burst into the box
and was tackled before he could get his shot away, the ball dropped to
Taylor who, cool as you like, slotted the ball past the keeper. 1–1.

We were then starting to dominate possession and territory a bit more
but without creating a clear opening. Half time and 1-1.

Second half we needed to up the tempo and energy on the field. There
was, Sam aside, little communication. We started the second half as we
did the first. Pressing Reds back into their half but without any end
product. Luca continued his streak of doing everything but scoring hd
was unlucky when a shot crashed back off the post. Louis also missed
one from under the goal when under pressure. The winning goal,
eventually arrived from the boot of Freddie who fired high into the
net following a scramble.

2-1 and how the game would end. That's not to say that the Reds made
it easy - anything but. They never let their heads drop and battled to
the final whistle.

This was an odd game in many ways as it could have easily been 5-5. We
created many chances that just missed by a whisker.

A great victory against a solid and competitive team. We matched them
physically and after the initial onslaught had the better of the play
and created chances. They will justifiably believe that they had the
better of the play such was the closeness of this game.

Hercules was MotM in a display where nothing got passed him. With Reds
attacking down their right he was thrust into action and did not put a
foot wrong. With the instruction being to defend first and keep it
simple he showed great strength to stop attackers and then composure
to play the ball down the line to the winger. An excellent performance
- well done!

This does not detract from what was an excellent squad performance.
Games like this show the value of having a squad with quality right
the way through, we can make changes to rest players and for tactical
reasons with little impact on the pattern of play.

An excellent result - We need to keep this momentum up.....