Defender heads ball

Gotherington (2) v (2) LRFC Cougars

Sunday 9th March 2014

Swindon Village

A draw but it felt more like a defeat.

This game followed a familiar pattern of games we have had with Gotherington. A game where we will, probably, dominate possession and, probably, out pass the opposition and, probably, create more chances and, probably, dominate territory yet end up with a draw. It's not unfair to say that there were two contrasting styles of play on display and being played on a pitch that was like a ploughed field. Worse than a ploughed field, imagine a field that had been ploughed and then baked in the oven for a couple of hours. Then maybe some cows had trodden all over it then they sprinkled some grass seed on top of it. That was what the pitch at Swindon Village was like. But as the old cliche says it was the same for both teams. Except that it wasn't and Gotheringtons tactics and style worked better on this surface.

The surface ipacted us more as it significantly disrupted our passing game and ability to use the pace we have across the team. It was pretty impossible to run with the ball and keep it under control. When you were steadying yourself to take a shot or pass the ball it would roll off centre sending the shot or pass wayward. It kept getting stuck under the lads feet as they were unable to travel with the ball. It was like being tackled by the ground. Gotheringtons game is built around solid defending and pressuring the long ball out of defence. They play this was from the first minute to the last minute and this is why we have failed to get the result that we, probably, should have in our last two encounters. This is no criticism of Gotherington. The game plan works nad it makes for a tense match as you know they are always likely to score at any time that the ball comes forward.

As is customary we went 1-0 down. Starting slow we failed to clear our lines and Gotherington scored high into the net from the inside left position. Having gone a goal down we woke up and started to play. Jorge was linking the midfield and attack well, releasing the ball to the wings and forward to Dan to chase onto. We went close with a couple of attacks following some great moves of some 6 or 7 passes. The lads were also playing the way they were facing and laying the ball back to team mates in better positions rather then trying to turn on a lumpy pitch. This saw us retain possession for some good spells as Gotherington defended deeper and deeper. For all the possession the equaliser took time to arrive. 

It came from the boot of Daniel, put through following some nice link up play between Jorge and Jacob on the left wing. Dan broke the defensive line and finished past the keeper, picking his spot. 1-1 and nerves settled. Our second goal came from the penalty spot that Jorge despatched coolly into the bottom right corner, the keepernot even diving (presumably he didn't want yo break a bone on the pitch). There was some dispute of the penalty from both sets of fans on the far touchline although on checking it was for shirt pulling right in front of the ref. 2-1.

At the end of the half the instructions were simple - keep playing as we are. Territorially we were camped in their half. George, Lewis and Ben dealing the majority of high balls and the full backs, Freddie, Will D and Dan G (who rotated through those positions) able to pick up loose balls and play them forward. On the wings and up front we had pace and guile but lacked a finishing touch. 

The second half and Jorge went close with a lovely shot that the keeper saved well. Opting for accuracy rather than power he tried to knock the ball high over the keeper. Dan was then put clear again and saw his shot fly wide off a bobble. The wingers also struggled to drive at the Gotherington goal as the ball continually stuck on the pitch. Then the pretty much inevitable happened. With less than 5 minutes to play the ball was hit long by Gotherington. We were unable to deal with it decisively, there was a shot and then a goal. 

2-2. How the game would end. 

We had lost Sam, having a strong game on the right side of midfield, to a knock on his left ankle. This saw Freddie push into midfield. As we chased the game he came close with a strike from distance following neat footwork. For the last couple of minutes we pushed Lewis further forward with Ben dropping into centre back. Lewis, who can hit a ball, was told to have a go when he could. He managed a couple of shots but from too far out to trouble the keeper and the game was done by that point anyway. 

This was dissappointing as we had played well. We had dominated the match but not taken our chances. We defended with much more purpose that we have been doing. George in particular was heading the ball back towards Gotherington time and again. Lewis was strong in the tackle and decisive when clearing the lines. Will, in goal, was offered little protection from the goal scoring shots but continued to sweep up around his his area and use the space well. Rather than just putting the ball long he was playing long passes to players in space. Just like a young less gallic Hugo Lloris. The full backs were not caught out and equal to their opposing wingers. It was just one of those days and one we have far too often against Gotherington. In centre midfield we started with with a new pairing of Ben and Luca. Jacob starting wide left, Sam wide right. This worked well with the energy of Luca apparent in breaking tackles and driving forward; Ben's ever reliable assured composure on the ball saw him keep things moving for us. 

We just didn't score enough. 

MotM was Jorge for his link up play, his skill when in possession  and constant threat when supporting the front play. He set up the first goal, won the penalty and scored it for the second and was at the heart of most of what we did going forward.

I think next time i will watch this fixture on Teletext.

It was a nice sunny day too.