LRFC beat league leaders

LRFC 4 - 1 Tewkesbury

LRFC played host to the league leaders, Tewkesbury u18's, who were until today unbeaten in the league.

LRFC have done this before, always capable of a victory against seemingly superior opposition. League winners Lydney lost one game in both seasons they were champions to the Cougars. The same is true of Painswick who always beat LRFC until they met in the cup final a couple of seasons ago. 

So it was that Tewkesbury would suffer a similar fate. 

The Naunton Park pitch was a house of horrors rather than theatre of dreams. But as the cliche goes it is the same for both teams. LRFC coped better, maybe having played in it last week set them up to be better equipped.

LRFC took the lead, maybe the first time this season, with the excellent Hayden showing composure to lob the keeper. Taking the ball in his stride and opening his body to finish incredibly well. 

On reflection this settled any nerves. LRFC were. Not chasing the game saw them relax and move the ball well. The 4-3-3 formation working well. A second goal would come fro Hayden finishing after good work down the left from Luca.

What caught the eye from LRFC was the energy and link up in the middle 3. Starting with Jacob, Ryan and Tom in there they were destructive when Tewkesbury had the ball and composed in possession. How Tom was able to dribble on that surface is a question for a physicist. 

LRFC lost Ryan, who had been excellent smashing into hard tackles. He was brought down from behind and taking a heavy contact through his ankle saw his game over.

Up front the STRS Trio of Luca, Hayden and Olly were causing problems. The pace and directness of the wingers causing Tewkesbury to defend deep and chase back time after time. 

At half time it was 2-0 with LRFC value for the lead and not conceding. 

The pattern of play continued second half with LRFC enjoying the better of possession. What goal threat Tewkesbury had was being sniffed out by George and Ben with Will making brave saves  if the back line was breached. 

The third goal came from Alf in the box and from Olly's free kick. The ball played at pace to Alf, his first shot was blocked but he made no mistake with the second. 

3-0.

Adam would complete LRFCs scoring finishing well from just inside the box. His first goal for the side.

At 4-0 the game was over with the composure of Tewkesbury starting to crack.

They would pull one back, a smart finish from a player that arrived with 15 minutes of the game to play.

This was though, LRFCs day. 

What will have pleased the management team was the passing football that was played. Conditions were awful yet LRFC passed and moved. When the ball was moved wide they had pace and trickery on both flanks to cause problems. Up front with Hayden and the Jorge they have different players that cause different problems. 

The composure from LRFC through the entire game was also good to see. Rarely a team that has disciplinary or temperament issues they just played the game today. No drama or who just a game.

Hayden was motm. Possibly the most technical footballer in the side he scored two goals that set LRFC up for victory and worked tirelessly as the team needed him to. This was an eye catching performance in a match were there were a number of players all having very good games. 

Rodborough at home

This Sunday we are home to Rodborough Hawks. Looking at their results this will be a very competitive and even match with both teams having similar results against the same opposition. 

The squad for this game will be

Will

George

Ben

Tom

Adam

Fin

Sam

Ryan 

Jacob

Olly

Hayden

Jorge

Luca

Alf

Dan and Freddie remain sidelined. 

Meet at Naunton Park for 1:15 ahead of the 2pm kick off.

Pride. Bravery. Endeavour. 

Training

Apologies for short notice but training on 18/01 is cancelled. 

Remainder of season...

We have four fixtures remaining this season that will be played over a 10 week period... Rodborough are by all accounts a very strong side this season, Tewkesbury are top and we know all about Painswick. We may not be able to win the league but we can still have a say and be competitive.

Lydney won the league the last two season only losing one game in each to us. Remember that and what we are capable of. If nothing else prepare for and play the match with pride.

22/01 - Rodborough Youth Hawks (home)
29/01 - Tewkesbury Town Colts (home)
05/02 - No fixture
12/02 - Painswick Youth (away)
19/02 - No fixture
26/02 - No fixture
05/03 - No fixture
12/03 - No fixture
19/03 - No fixture
26/03 - Charlton Rovers U18's (away)

Please check your availability for these fixtures and if you cannot make any of them notify Marcus by the end of the week (20/01).

We will continue to train through this period alternating between Cheltenham College and All Saints Academy. This is one hour a week and not enough for you to be fit to play games at the intensity that you want and that we demand. This will be put up on the facebook page each week to get confirmation as to who is going to attend.

Work on this, it doesn't take a lot of effort, and give yourselves the best shot to perform to the best of your collective ability. Think about when you watch football on TV - skill and ability is a given, the difference between teams is often discussed as being the passion, intensity and desire. They are all under pinned by an ability to run and work for the full game.

It is no coincidence that Liverpool and Tottenham's rise into the top 4 comes with the fact that per game they run more than any other team.

Now the obligatory kitten picture that the internet is so fond of...

Training and Sunday

Training Wednesday 15/01 at All Saints College from 2000-2100.

No match this Sunday 15/01.

Top bins

LRFC 8 v 3 Fintan Reds

LRFC return to form with an emphatic victory over Fintan Red. 

The visitors started much the stronger and with direct play. Their striker causing problems for a timid LRFC backline. Profligate in front of goal on another day he could have found himself with an early hat trick. 

He did open the scoring putting Fintan 1-0 up. A deserved lead. 

This sparked LRFC into action, they started to move the ball better and as ever for this side the wingers were the outlet. Parity was restored from a run in behind from Luca who slotted past the keeper. This followed excellent play from Hayden who won the header. 1-1. 

A second goal would come from the same player, picking the ball up wide left and finishing from outside the box into the bottom corner.

2-1 and although Fintan would come back LRFC maintained their lead. Hayden scored, George would grab a brace, one from the penalty spot and another from good work down the wing. Jacob scored a brace too, a deft flick from a corner and a header. 

There were other chances too but they were either at the keeper or pulled wide.

The goal of the game came from the man of the match. Playing wide on the right of the attacking trio Sam picked up the ball outside the box took one touch and pinged the ball into the far top corner. The ball areowed true, you could read the logo on the ball as it flew such was the cleanness of the strike. It was matched by the celebration, a Sheareresque ,ndex finger in the air. 

It wasn't only the goal that's saw Sam the motm - his link play and intelligence with the ball were excellent. His passing with Hayden in particular caught the eye. Two technical players carving space into the opposition.

Fintan came back into the game with the introduction of a big target man. He was utterly dominant in the air and LRFC could not cope. Had he stayed on the pitch longer he may have had a more meaningful impact on the outcome of the game. 

The game finished 8-3 to LRFC - a solid result that saw the team ride the early physicality of the game and then once the opposition started to wilt play some lovely football to secure an emphatic win. 

The motm was difficult today as there were some excellent performances all over the pitch. 

Tom in centre midfield and then at full back was dominant. Ryan had an excellent game, smashing into tackles as only he does. Jacob grew into the game and as he got more on the ball he was increasingly influential. George started at centre back then switched to midfield to provide additional energy and running power. Hayden caught the eye up front with some lovely technique and link play. 

There were strong performances all over the pitch.

Fintan Red at home - Sunday 8th January

Sunday 8th January LRFC Cougars have an U18's match at home to Fintan Red. The game will be played at Naunton Park and kick off at 2pm. As the home team LRFC players should arrive for 1:15.

The squad for this match will be

1. Will (Captain)

2. George

3. Ben

4. Adam

5. Tom

6. Sam

7. Fin 

8. Ryan

9. Jacob

10. Hayden

11. Jorge

12. Ollie

13. Luca

Unavailable for this match are Alf and Freddie with Dan to confirm.

Fintan have always been a tricky side for LRFC and with both teams struggling for form this season this may not be a game for the purist. What we do know is that Fintan always provide a stern test and LRFC will need to match this in order to get a result.

Fixture gap in February

We will have no fixtures on both 5th February 26th February.

Details of all matches here.