Training

There is no training tonight (30-March).

Training

Note that there is no training at the college tonight (23/03). 

Instead go for a run. No really you should. 

Away Days - Cinderford (2) v (9) LRFC U16's

Cinderford Town AFC (2) (9) LRFC Cougars

If only all away days were played at a ground and on a pitch of this quality.

While there is nothing certain in football this was an opportunity for LRFC to regain some confidence in front of goal as they faced the leagues bottom side. LRFC showed the game the right amount of respect lining up with a strong starting 11. Will ever present in goal, a back 4 of Tom, Lewis, Ben and Dan G. A holding pair of Jacob and Ryan. Max restored to number 10, up front Jorge and on the wings Olly and Luca.

LRFC dominated possession from the off but found their shooting just off. They were also guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net rather than just taking the shot. the build up play, though, was starting to flow and the outlet, as it is so often for this team was on the wings. Cinderford, when they had the ball were hitting it long for their striker to chase, he did cause some problems with his pace but the LRFC defence was able to cover.

The opening goal came with some panache Jorge to sending a free kick into the far corner of the net from fully 25yards. A lovely free-kick and LRFC nerves settled. Jorge would complete a memorable first half hat-trick to put LRFC 3-0 up at the break.

As the pattern of play was set LRFC made a number of changes to test players in different positions. Dan G and Jacob finished as the centre-backs, Ben was given a run up front, Tom played left wing for a period (and scored with an emphatic finish). Alf played number 10 and right wing and may need to wash his kit this week as catching a ball full in the face left him with a bloody nose. Max also showed versatility playing number 10 and left wing. There was rotation and adaptability all over the pitch.

Olly scored a second half brace in the most casual manner. The first as he broke into the box rode a tackle that saw the ball ricochet off his shins and into the net. The second from close range following good LRFC build up play. Luca also got a pair of goals from a central striking position the first rolled past the onrushing keeper and the second a shot that smashed in off the inside of the post. Tom would complete the scoring with a close range finish following a cross into the box. Jorge completed his rout with a central finish following good pressure from the Cinderford centre. Luca and Jorge pressing forward to rob the Cinderford players and Jorge to score.

There was though, a moment when nerves crept back into the LRFC performance when Cinderford scored to make the score 3-1. A free kick just outside the box was well saved by Will flying to his left. While the LRFC players failed to react to the loose ball the Cinderford players didn't and put the ball home from close range. They would double their goals with a finish where they caught LRFC on the break with pace and directness.

It was important for LRFC to get back to winning and scoring ways. The recent slump has been arrested and with three games remaining it is important that they keep pressing to push Lydney all the way.

In the second half, in particular, LRFC played some great football getting a lot of joy down the right flank where Sam, Ryan, Jacob and Alf were linking well and playing intelligently. Cinderford really could not get near them when they played this way.

Jorge was the MotM for an excellent display leading the line - a first half hat-trick, a couple of assists and a 4th goal scored in the second half made this an easy decision. There is now a further fortnight's break before the next match away, in the Forrest again, to Sling.

Cinderford Town Away

Sunday we have an away trip to the leagues bottom side Cinderford Town. It has been a tough season for Cinderford with them losing all of their games this season. We will though, be sure to show the game and opposition the right amount of respect as on a football field anything can happen.

The game kicks off at 2pm and will be played at Cinderford Town AFC, The Causeway, Edge Hills Road, Cinderford, GL14-2QH. According to Google Maps this is around 25miles away and anything up to an hours drive. Please leave plenty of time to be there for a 1:30 meet up.

Squad for the game will be

Will (Captain)

Lewis

Ben

Adam

Tom

Sam

Dan G

Jacob

Alf

Freddie

Ryan

Max

Jorge

Luca

Dan A

Olly

Leckhampton put their league ambitions in the hand of others

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

Against Charlton Rovers Reds LRFC struggled to get a cohesive pattern
of play. There was endeavour and plenty of huffing and puffing but
little quality. As the game wore on discipline was stretched with a
number of fouls being committed all serving to break up play and hand
the initiative to CR.

LRFC started playing up the slope and had the better of early
exchanges although didn't really have a shot. Seeming to want to walk
the ball into the net. As the half wore on there was some frustration
but the game was still there to be won.

LRFC then gave away a penalty. This was despatched by CR who sent Will
the wrong way.

1-0 and how it would be at half time.

The message at half time had to be to have a shot, to actually make an
attempt on goal. LRFC responded well second half but could not get the
goal they needed. As they pressed forward CR caught them on the break
with the striker scoring bravely as the LRFC defender and keeper close
him down. The ball bouncing into an empty net.

The LRFC response was to go to a back 3, play 5 in midfield and 2 up
front. Whilst this was a departure from their usual formation this is
not something they haven't played before. In their desire to get back
into the game there was too much individual play and not enough team
play.

What got this LRFC team the fantastic results early in the season was
quick passing, using the width of the pitch and turning teams around.
CR defended deep so all the more reason to use guile to beat them.
What LRFC did instead was try to take them on.

CR could easily have gone 3 up but for Will's heroics. With the
striker bearing down on goal Will saved at his feet and reacted
quicker than everyone to push away the loose ball as it bobbled up.
Brave and decisive keeping.

That could have been a catalyst for LRFC to press forward and secure
the points. They did pull a goal back, for the second week running
from Jacobs head, the ball crossed and Jacob scoring well.

LRFC then ran out of time.

After the game the LRFC heads were down and there was no margin for
error in the league campaign. With Lydney beating Painswick 1-0 they
are now in the box seat. What this LRFC side needs to do now is pick
themselves up and finish the season as they started it. There are
times for further twists in this campaign. It is though out of their
hands.

Jacob was Motm in this game, run close by Alf and Will. When all
around were losing their heads he kept doing to the simple things and
playing the way LRFC plays. Head up passing the ball, winning tackles,
winning headers and getting the goal.

This LRFC side has not become a bad team overnight and the disruptions
to the season have not helped their cause. They have an opportunity to
regain some pride this coming Sunday away to Cinderford.

League Match - Charlton Rovers Reds

Sunday we resume the league campaign with matters still very much in
our hands. Our opponents are Charlton Rovers Reds a team we are very
familiar with.

They currently sit 7th in the league on 21 points from 13 games
played. Most recently they lost their local derby to the Blues 1-0.

This is a home match at Naunton Park with kick off at 2pm. Let's meet
at 1:15 so we can set up, warm up and prepare properly.

We have a full squad of 11 + 5 for this game...

1. Will
2. Lewis
3. Ben
4. Adam
5. Tom
6. Sam
7. Dan G
8. Ryan
9. Jacob
10. Alf
11. Freddie
12. Max
13. Jorge
14. Dan A
15. Luca
16. Olly

This is the first of our 5 game run in - play as we did on Sunday and
we give ourselves the best possible chance of the win.

Painswick edge semi thriller

U16 Cup semi final

Leckhampton Rovers (1) v (2) Painswick Youth

What an advert for youth football. Two teams that, at this level, lead the way. This game had it all, contrasting styles, physicality, skill. Excellent team work. Good attacking play that found its equal in the defensive play. 

Painswick started the brighter of the two sides and made their intent clear. Direct play with midfielders keen to support the attack. Leckhampton to their credit stuck to the task of defending with Lewis and Ben solid in the middle and Tom and Sam working to secure the flanks. 

Luca started up front and on the shoulder of the last defender was brought down. No card was shown, the right decision, and the free kick flew over the wall and crossbar. There was then another free kick from a similar position, Luca took it again and was denied by the Painswick keeper.  

Initially Leckhampton played the same was as Painswick, more out of necessity as it was just about clearing the lines. As the half wore on Leckhampton started to play the ball better and pass it with purpose. Dan on the left wing was the outlet and have his full back a torrid time. 

When he did get clear though shooting opportunities were quickly snuffed out. This was an incredibly tight game. At half time it was 0-0. Both teams would have believed that they could get the win. 

In the second half Leckhampton upped the tempo. Throw-ins, free-kicks and playing the ball forward when possession was turned over were now happening with more urgency. This was not about long ball. It was about building the play just quicker. Max started to find space and link the play more such was the movement around him. Up from Jorge was introduced and put a real effort in for this team. 

He was desperately unlucky not to score from close range after good wing play and cross. If anything the shot was too well struck or it hit the keeper too well. Either way it looked goal bound only to ricochet out. 

The opening goal came from Leckhampton's failure to deal with a player running at them. The left midfielder picked up the ball and ran at the defence, as the Leckhampton players backed off him he found himself in the box and prodded home from close range. 0-1.

Leckhampton immediately upped their game and equalised from a corner within a minute of the Painswick opener. Jacob rising to nod the ball home beyond the keeper. Leckhampton have found a new corner taker in the shape of Freddie. 

The game continued with Leckhampton dominating possession and territory but Painswick looking very threatening on the break. There were some further chances but none clear cut. Anything on target was met by a keeper in fine form. 

The winning goal came from a corner with less than 2 minutes to play. The ball was crossed towards the back post evading the Leckhampton keeper and defenders, as it dropped there was a Painswick player to score. 

With less than 2 minutes to go everyone knew this was the winning goal. 

The Leckhampton players continued to push for another equaliser right up to where the referee blew the whistle.

The game would 2-1.

Painswick celebrated rightly so, this will be their third final on the bounce and they will be hoping to turn around their record of playing in and losing 2. Leckhampton wishes them well in the final. 

The attention of this team is now on the league. With five games remaining there are no distractions from the objective. If they play as they did on Sunday there are not many that can cope with them. 

Motm was probably the Painswick keeper. For Leckhampton it was Jacob. He started on the right wing but looked much more assured and comfortable when in the centre playing along side one of Freddie, Ryan, Alf and Tom. Comfortable on the ball and excellent at reading the game he was immense in there along with all the Leckhampton players. Tackling and breaking up play as well as popping up with the equaliser.

This was a game played with excellent competitive spirit, great intensity and some degree of class. Both sides would be worthy finalists. 

Semi Final

Sunday 6th March is the semi final of the league cup where we will play Painswick in a repeat of what was the U15's final. We know Painswick well and we know what to expect, just as they do. We also know that to get the result we will need to be at our best as will they. We will need to defend as a team, work hard and attack with precision. Both teams will feel this is a game that they can win and also a game that they must win.

If we play our game to our maximum, work hard and leave it all on the pitch it is within our grasp.

The squad for this match will be..

1. Will (Captain)
2. Lewis
3. Ben
4. Adam
5. Sam
6. Dan G
7. Ryan
8. Luca
9. Dan A
10. Alf
11. Freddie
12. Max
13. Jacob
14. Jorge
15. Tom

As this is a semi-final we will have a referee and assistants appointed.

The game is at Naunton Park so lets meet for 1:15 so that we can set-up the pitch and prepare the team properly and fully for this game.

It is also Mothering Sunday so make sure you get up in time to take your mum a cup of tea in bed. That might be the most important thing you do this Sunday.

Training 02/03

Well done to Ben, Luca, Freddie, Alf and Will for showing the commitment to their fitness and coming on tonight's training run. Taking 25 minutes out of hectic homework schedules to make the effort to train.

Training on 02/03

Cheltenham College has been closed down for 5 days due to an outbreak of flu. As such we cannot train there tomorrow. 

Rather than do nothing I am proposing that we train on the Honeybourne. 

Plan is to meet at the Tesco end by the train station then run down to Pittville and back. Perfectly manageable. 

We will be taking it easy with a couple of intervals for good measure. 

Please confirm by replying to this post in Facebook if you can make it so I know who to expect. If you are cycling down you can lock your bikes at the station or tesco. 

Meet just after 6 for a 6:10 start. Let me know.