U18 League Cup Final Instructions

This post contains the details for the U18's League Cup Final on Sunday May 6th.

The game will be played at the LCI Rail Stadium, the home of Cheltenham Town FC (Whaddon Road, GL52-5NA).  

Our schedule for the day is as follows; 

• arrive at the ground 1530hrs (**DO NOT BE LATE**) 
• we will go through to changing area at 1545hrs 
• submission of team sheets at 1600hrs (this will list the starting 11 and 5 substitutes)
• warm up between 1600-1620hrs although we need to be back in the changing rooms by 1620hrs
• at 1625hrs the referee will call us out to the tunnel to head out to the pitch
• the kick off will be at 1630hrs

The following are from a briefing note issued by the league..

• There will be a bag check as we go through to the changing room, no alcohol or glass bottles are permitted and neither will fizzy drinks that can be sprayed. 
• If you are going to tape your socks please make sure it is green. No other colour will be permitted. 
• We will not be permitted to go to the changing room at half time so make sure anything you need you take out ahead of time (drinks and any snacks you bring). 
• If the match is level at full time it's penalties! 

The forecast for the weekend is good and warm, make sure you bring a couple bottles of your drink as you will likely need it, it will be a tough game on a big pitch!

If you are a spectator then there is a small fee to enter the ground, £2 for adults and £1 for U16's and OAP's. Make it easier all round by having the right change!

If you have any questions then please contact Marcus. 

end of an era...

This was the LRFC Cougars last ever league football match. After 10 years playing in the Cheltenham Youth League it came down to this. 

That it finished with a win and at home is quite fitting. 

A 5-1 victory over a very spirited Longlevens team that kept going right to the very end despite the warm conditions and having no substitutes. 

That LRFC were able to score five goals from different goal scorers and that each goal was created by a different player shows excellent form across the side going into the Cup Final in two weeks. 

That there were six players on the pitch (Will, Sam, Luca, George, Fergus, and Jacob) who were there for the first game in 2008 (away to Bishops Cleeve) is all the more pleasing for a side that has been built wholeheartedly on friendship.

The scoring was opened by Alf following excellent wing play by Luca who crossed to the back post. Alf still had work to do but finished beyond the keeper. Evidence of the value of switching play quickly. Luca was found in space by a diagonal pass and was able to cross to his opposite winger to score. 

Longlevens then equalised with their player breaking through the middle to finish over Will's head. LRFC is a great attacking side and needs to remember to also defend as a team. It did not remain 1-1 for long; LRFC were awarded a penalty when Tom sprinting almost as fast as Jaden did on Wednesday against the same team, broke into the box where he was upended. The ref showed little hesitation and Luca despatched the penalty to the top corner with little emotion. 2-1. 

The half time talk was to keep going and to be more clinical. While the score was 2-1 LRFC had created chances, Fergus with the pick of the bunch with a curling shot that rebounded off the upright. 

The second half started well for LRFC, Connor scored with a smart finish from a Jacob pass. Then Jaden put Gus through to finish well. It was Jaden that rounded off the win with a header from a Seth cross. Showing energy to overlap the forward Seth delivered a perfect ball into the box. 

The last few minutes of the game were lacking quality as the heat and fatigue took it's toll with the ball being lashed clear at every opportunity. 

5-1 a nice way to bow out from Naunton Park. 

Jacob was the MotM. In games like these he glides around the pitch and makes the game look so simple. Always available to pick up and control a loose ball, always in the right place to receive from a team mate, rarely out of 2nd gear and rarely troubled.

Longlevens at home - Last ever league match

Sunday is a big day, it will be our last ever league match. After 10 years as the LRFC Cougars (2008-2018) it all comes to a close with a home match against Longlevens.

That we get to finish at Naunton Park is quite fitting. To bow out with a home game is a fitting end. 

The result from Wednesday is a sign post to what is achievable but make no mistake that Longlevens will come to the game thinking they can get something from it.

We have a big squad for Sunday so if for any reason you cannot make it please confirm to me ASAP. 

1. Will
2. Ben
3. Billy
4. George
5. Sam
6. Tom
7. Luca
8. Jacob
9. Fergus
10. Ryan
11. Alf
12. Hayden
13. Jorge
14. Jaden
15. Seth
16. Connor
17. Freddie

Lewis remains sidelined recovering from his serious ankle knack. 

See you Sunday! Lets go out in style.