Into the Semi's...

Southside Star U16 (1) v (5) LRFC Cougars u16's

As a mark of respect for the horrors that occurred in Paris on Friday
night there was an impeccable minutes silence before the game. Whilst
at such moments sport, indeed many things, seem trivial what is
important is that life continues and continues with the same passion
and verve as before....

=================

that said this was an odd match. A game where the result was not
really ever in doubt and as a result failed to pick up any real tempo
and energy, certainly within the LRFC players. Southside were reduced
to 10 men from the start when one of their number turned his ankle in
the warmup yet rarely did it look like they only had 10 players.

LRFC started playing down the slope and the early signs were good. A
goal from Luca within the first couple of minutes seemed an omen of
what might come. Credit is due to Southside that it didn't.

LRFC were enjoying the majority possession yet in the early part of
the game Southside did cause them to scramble back. Their striker
showing enough strength, athleticism and desire throughout the whole
match to be a threat. That he would score in second half was reward
for his endeavour.

A second LRFC goal looked likely when they were awarded a penalty.
Tommy bundled over from behind. Clumsily, not maliciously, left the
ref an easy decision. Luca hit the ball well enough, it was just a
shame that it hit the cross bar and went over. On a day where
conditions were squawkish keeping it down might have worked better.

When the LRFC second goal did come it was from the unlikely position
of right back. Perhaps inspired by Mario Gaspar's goal against England
on Friday night? Sam picked up the ball wide right having pushed on
supporting the winger. His cross flew towards goal and dropped in the
far corner over the keepers head. 2-0.

Tommy would score a third in the half bundling in for close range,
alive or the keepers fumble.

The second half was quite frustrating to watch. With Southside
defending ever deeper LRFC were able to keep the ball but had sterile
possession in the area between penalty box and half way line. There
was no way through. When they did breach the Southside defence the
passing was not good enough to create chances. As the game ticked on
LRFC resorted to playing longer balls that in these conditions saw the
ball skid away.

It was while LRFC pressed the play that Southside scored their goal.
The ball hit long to the striker who controlled under pressure, beat
the last line of LRFC defence and poked the ball past the on rushing
Will in goal. A nice piece of individual play and as already said, a
deserved goal.

There were a couple of fantastic strikes from Alf who smashed the ball
goal wards from outside the box only to see the keeper get a hand to
it. His season opener cannot be far away.

There were two more goals in the second half. Dan with, probably, the
goal of the day. Picking up the ball he cut inside from the left wing,
opened out his body and hit a right footed shot that flew into the top
corner and in off the post. A really clever goal. Tommy would complete
his brace scoring for close range.

The game finished 5-1.

There were some great passages of play where LRFC kept possession and
moved the ball across the midfield and back again waiting for an
option to play it forward rather than just hit and hope. There was,
though, a lot of times where the ball played forward was too long or
too heavy to be able to be controlled. Against an opponent that
defends deep and with motivation the play to breach this needs to be a
bit cuter. If a winger breaks a tackle and has space the ball needs to
be played then, too often the LRFC players went for the Hollywood
ball.

Tommy was the motm for a game where he knitted play together and on a
day when conditions were so bad that his technique and touch were
excellent. Playing up front he scored two goals that were poachers
goals, they came at the right time for this LRFC side.

There is more to come from this LRFC side but as they develop they
keep winning which is a nice habit. They also have a great spirit
throughout the team and it was good that Olly and Dan G, both out
injured, could be seen in the stands supporting their team.

This team keeps on scoring and keeps on winning. Good habits to have.