Cashes Green Youth (4) v (7) LRFC Cougars
For the second week running the Cougars scored 7 goals, what was
different this time was that there were 6 goal scorers including 3
players opening their account for the season.
On a pitch that had such a slope you could be forgiven for thinking
that a belay might be required the cougars did start strong. With
Cashes winning the toss and electing to play up the slope, playing
down hill suited the Cougars passing style.
Tommy, starting in the number 10 role, was dictating the pace of the
game and linking well with the Cougars wide players. The first chance
came from this link with the ball being spun out to Luca his left
footed cross was hit goal-wards by Jorge but deflected wide for a
corner.
There were two further good chances spurned. First Tommy who saw a
shot drift wide and then Ryan who after a dribble a one-two hit a shot
that every Cougars fan wanted to see go in only for it to bobble
agonisingly wide.
The opening goal came for Cashes. With the Cougars losing their shape
in the middle of the pitch the ball was played long, as the Cashes
strike raced onto it Will had little option but to come out of his
goal. The Cashes player did well to play it to a team mate who scored
into a net beyond the Cougars defenders reach. 1-0.
The Cougars came back into the game with Jacob scoring with his first
touch following his introduction as a sub. A cross evading the defence
and keeper bundled in off his chest to make it 1-1. This was how it
was until half time.
Second half, the Cougars playing up the slope looked the more athletic
with the wingers providing a constant threat. Linking with Max in the
number 10 role who was now pulling the strings. The second Cougars
goal came from winger to winger. Jacob, who showed great skill on the
wing to evade tackles and find space, playing the ball centrally for
Luca, coming in from the other wing, to score with a neat side foot
under the keeper. 2-1.
Cashes equalised again with a penalty for a foul in the box. The
second time in a week that the Cougars have conceded in this manner.
Will made the first save and pushed the ball wide. Unfortunately not
quite wide enough and the striker had enough to score at the second
attempt. Will always goes the right way and the first save was
excellent. Having made that the second was always going to be
difficult.
The Cougars would extend their league when Ryan finished well beating
the keepers dive. The team enjoyed that goal and were all keen to
celebrate with him. If any player deserved a goal this season.....
The next goal was another first goal of the season. Tommy who has been
getting ever closer, denied on his debut by a cracking save from the
Lydney keeper, hitting the crossbar against Painswick and then somehow
back heeling the ball out against Charlton Rovers scored from a direct
free kick. Just outside the area on the right he sent his shot into
the far keeper leaving the keeper no chance. Lovely goal. This capped
a fine display which saw tommy earn the MotM award. He dictated the
play in the first half and as he settles into the team is becoming
more and more influential. At the heart of so much that was good about
us going forward today.
Ryan ran him very close, or rather ran-tackled-ran-repeat, but for
overall impact on the team Tommy stood out today. There were, as
usual, a number of candidates for MotM and this is how it should
always be for teams.
As the game progressed the Cougars were more and more in control
although with a direct style and physical approach cashes always
looked capable of scoring more.
There was a period towards the end where it was like a basketball
game. Jorge scored to widen the gap further only for Cashes to score
by return immediately. 5-3. Jorge scored again, a cute chip just over
the on rushing keeper, Cashes again for a break. 6-4.
There was time for one more account opening goal. Tommy playing a
cross where Ben was on hand to head home from close range. 7-4 and how
the game would end.
From a slow start this was an action packed football match with some
great moments of quality all over the pitch.
The defence played well against an onslaught of power play and
aggression. Sam in particular rising to the challenge after taking a
very heavy tackle then restoring his resolve to dominate his side of
the pitch.
Lewis and George at the heart of the defence look very strong together
and have pace to burn. Lewis standing firm at the back as George goes
walkabout with the ball. At one point he popped up on the left wing to
cross the ball into the box. It was a long run back to his position!
Adam and Dan G looked assured making the right decisions of when to
defend and when to attack. In midfield Ryan was, as ever, excellent
and to get a goal capped a fine display. Freddie was powerful today
but against a tenacious Cashes team who were snapping into challenges
was unable to be as expansive going forward as he would normally be.
Ben also played in the central role and after a shaky start started to
show the composure that we see regularly and was able to score his
first goal of the campaign.
On the wings Jacob and Luca were powerful and direct, they are the
outlet for this team and both got onto the score sheet again. Finn
started on theming today and had a great period where his decision
making was excellent, when to do a trick and then when to pass. As
Cashes came into the game more and more bypassing midfield he, along
with the midfield, were marginalised but this was a good display.
Jorge up from is always a threat, skill and composure in front of
goal. His brace today evidence of this finishing finesse.
Cashes did play well today and stretched the Cougars for long periods
of the game. Once the breakthrough came and there was a two goal
cushion the outcome did not look in doubt. Cashes, to their immense
credit, never let their heads drop and continued to battle for every
ball and decision.
The Cougars now have a mid-week fixture, this Wednesday, against
Charlton Rovers Blues before the final league match away to
Gotherington. There is then a week before the cup final against
Painswick.
With the Cougars coaches having a very difficult decision to make
around the squad for the cup final these final league matches are to
test and experiment with what the starting line up and squad should
be.
On current form the decision must be getting ever more impossible.
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