Perfect 10!

Bishops Cleeve Colts United (1) V (4) LRFC Cougars

LRFC U16's were back in league action today with their 7th game in the competition. Their opponents were Cleeve Colts who they beat 11-2 only two weeks ago in the GFA County Cup. Surely lightning wouldn't strike twice?

It didn't and the way that LRFC set-up they weren't expecting it either.

It was clear from the off that the LRFC game plan was to use the width of the pitch, move the ball wide quickly and support the wingers. The wingers reminded that if they cannot get in on goal to look to play the ball across the goal. To get the cross in where the striker and number 10 would be lurking. The initial exchanges saw LRFC gain territory and progress down the wings with Dan and Luca getting plenty of the early ball. Centrally Tommy and Alf were linking well with Alf very effective in the hole behind the striker.

Alf was substituted after 10 minutes with a dead leg, Max came on and quickly started to determine the tempo of play. Always looking to thread balls through his link up play with Tommy was excellent.

Behind them the defensive unit was in control with Ryan and Jacob snuffing out attacks. The full backs, Sam and Adam were able to push forward to support attacks and the Ben and Lewis partnership, never knowingly undersold, providing excellent final cover. They were called into action quite early on as the Cleeve out ball was very clearly the left winger who had pace to burn; to contain him LRFC needed to double up.

In goal, Will had little to do but needed to maintain his concentration as Cleeve did have attacks and he was called into sporadic action, particularly in the second half where he made an excellent save in a one-on-one and tipped another goal bound shot onto the crossbar.

LRFC made the breakthrough with Tommy scoring from close range following good build up play down the left. LRFC then lost Alf who picked up a dead leg and was replaced by Max. Tommy would double his tally with another goal, this one picking up a long ball from Lewis's clearance he raced into the box and put his shot wide of the keeper.

The third goal would come from Dan who looked dangerous all game and scored from a ball played in from the left.

There was a moment in the first half that was worthy of a goal, LRFC won a throw in deep in their own half. They played the ball back and along the defensive line from the right to the left. Once on the left they pushed forward, Adam to Ryan to Luca and onto Jorge. Jorge threaded a ball through perfectly for Dan to burst through onto from the opposite wing. His shot was well struck and goal bound drawing an excellent save from the keeper.

At half time it was 3-0 to LRFC.

The second half was a very different matter. While the result was rarely in doubt Cleeve did exert more pressure and play some nice football. They were deserving a goal which duly game. Making the result 4-1.

The LRFC third goal? That was scored by Alf who playing on the left wing hit a very deliberate, not flukey whatsoever, shot that went high over the keeper dropping in at the far post.

The MotM was difficult today as the whole team played well, Adam was nominated for his control in defence and energetic support of attacks. Late in the game he had a shot that was arrowing into the top corner only to be denied by a fantastic save. An excellent full-back display.

There was a lot to admire in this LRFC performance, while they never hit the heights of recent matches they played with control. Retained possession and showed quality at the right moments. On another day the score could have been very different, Dan hit the post and side netting, Jorge had chances that he just failed to connect. Ryan, so often defending, found himself in shooting positions a couple of times unable to make that final contact tell.

Importantly this was a milestone for this team. Ten games this season in three competitions and winning them all. In the process this squad has scored 58 goals along the way and conceding only 13. Everything is still in their own hands - they need to keep playing this way and working for each other.