No Training 29/10

Just a reminder that there is no training on Wednesday 29/10.

Our next training session will be on 05/11 ahead of our County Cup game on 09/11.

This futsal goal has to be seen to be believed

Tekkers!

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/this-futsal-goal-has-to-be-seen-to-be-believed-140005083.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

Squad Performance...

LRFC Cougars (3) V (1) Charlton Rovers Blues

Autumn has definitely arrived - the wind was swirling and there were more leaves on the pitch than grass. 

This game will long be remembered for Jorges quite excellent hat-trick. Showing power, finesse and reading of the game. Goals win games and Jorge was deservedly the MotM for this display but as importantly as the goals we scored was the way we defended and retained possession.

This was an excellent squad performance. 

In the second half, particularly, we dominated possession. As the Blues were forced back Jacob, Taylor, Finn and Max started to get on the ball more and dictate the pace. We all know what Max and Jacob can do and do it they did. There was some real sparkle from both Taylor, who seems to be able to wrong foot an entire team with barely a movement, and Finn who can dribble a football without seemingly need to touch it. 

With Freddie providing the muscle in the holding role and Ryan making a total nuisance of himself to the opposition breaking up play and doing miles and miles of work running and tackling the platform is set. 

Behind them we have a solid back four, and an excellent keeper. The full backs of Sam and Dan, rhyming aside, are solid in defence and getting more expansive as we go forward. In Lewis and George we have stoic centre backs that do not get bullied off the ball and are comfortable bringing i forward. Very Baresi like if a little reckless sometimes!

Will in goal had little to do but did make some important saves to keep us in the game. With the wind up and the Blues limited to long shots it was important that he kept his concentration. 

Once we got the opening goal the result rarely looked in doubt such was our dominance in this match. Blues kept playing and defended valiantly, they must have the tallest 14 year old in Cheltenham in goal too! It did get a bit squeaky at the end when, having switched to 3 at the back we were being stretched with the Blues attack, that led to their goal. We reverted to a back 4 to then just see the game out. 

This was a very solid and dominating performance. We kept possession well, scored fantastic goals and defended solidly. We competed for every ball and in possession looked to play the ball and pull the opposition out of shape.

The team is developing a pattern of play and spirit that we have not had before. We have already won as many games this season as we did in the whole of last season. 

Lets keep it going.....

==========

A special mention for Bob and Cougars old boy Harrison, he used to be called Hazza, who came to watch the game wearing a medical boot from a namby-pamby rugby injury. 

An even bigger mention to Eric who came along to watch and was given a unique view of the match from the pitch as he was coerced into refereeing. He loved it so much he has now enrolled to complete a referees course! 

U15's Results - 19/10/2014S

Some interesting results today with Lydney back to winning ways and
Southside off the mark with their first win.

We remain top of the league with a 100% record having won our opening
5 league games.

With half term approaching we have a couple of Sundays off with our
next match the County Cup match v Fintan on November 9th.

League Match - Home V Charlton Rovers Blues

This Sunday we are at home to Charlton Rovers Blues, lets meet at 13:15 for the 14:00 kick off. 

Charlton Rovers Blues are currently 4th in the table and have won 2, lost 1 and drawn 1. Scoring 12 and conceding 9. 

This will be another test of our credentials so lets make sure the lads are well rested and focussed on the match. We have a squad for the game with one substitute so we will need to be on top of our game.

If any of the unavailable lads can be available please let me know.

1. Will F (Captain)
2. George (Vice-Captain)
3. Lewis
4. Freddie
5. Dan G
6. Sam
7. Jorge
8. Taylor
9. Jacob
10. Finn
11. Ryan
12. Max

Top of the League!

Enjoy it while it lasts - we are top of the league, a lot of football to be played but we are there on merit!

=======================================================

Today's results....

Jorge must score......

Lydney Town (0) V (3) LRFC Cougars

A lot can change in a year, last November we played Lydney and drew 1-1. In truth we battered them and drew. It was the best we had played in a long time and yet was a draw. ​​This squad is different. It's better sure, that's easy to tell, but more importantly it's tougher. 

We played in our familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. A couple of changes due to injury meant Ben slotted into centre defence alongside George, Tom starting at left back with Hercules feeling something in his knee (sandwich or something). The centre pairing were Freddie and Ryan. With Jorge up front the attacking three were Jacob, Louis and Max. On the bench; Finn, Taylor, Lewis and Hercules. The other thing with this squad is that we can change players and not disrupt the pattern of play. It's a squad game and we have a very good squad. Where we make changes it is never because someone has done something wrong, that is not what we are about, it's about rotation, keeping it fresh and protecting what we have got.

The game started with Lydney attacking very centrally, Ryan - ever bustling in the middle - was breaking up play when the ball was in the ground and, with Freddie competing for the aerial ball. There was a lot of aerial ball. It is a good job that we have learned to head the ball. The back four all winning headers and sending the ball back. We did, for a while, regress to playing the same game as Lydney. Kicking it long and high. As we started to get some control we started to get on the ball, Jacob, Louis and Max all starting to influence play and thread the ball to Jorge up front. The Lydney keeper, though,was in excellent form and thwarted Jorge on a couple of occasions. Jorge has been leading the line excellently in the last few games and is thriving as the focal point of the attack. He would get his goal that his efforts deserved late in the game.

The opening goal came from Jacob. Playing on the right of the attacking three he was starting to find space where the ball was played across from the left. The goal came from Louis linking with Jorge in the wide left. Jorge spun and from wide left played the ball so it curled over the defence and dropped in front of where Jacob was running onto. He outpaced the defender and struck a shot that was powerful enough to slip over the keepers hands and drop into the net. 

1-0. It was a deserved lead as we were in the ascendency. Lydney continued to try and power through although were playing very narrow. When they did come wide Sam, Tom and Dan G were all equal to them. With 5 minutes to go to half time we scored the second goal. Tom scored it. It was an OK finish. 

Lydney in a final flurry won a couple of corners that they could not capitalise on. The half finished with us leading 2-0. 

We made further changes, with Jorge having come off for Taylor and Finn replacing Max we needed to sub Ben who's quad injury had resurfaced. Dan G came on in centre defence and proved what a versatile defender he is this season with a strong performance there. Winning headers and showing assured ability with both feet. 

Second half and Lydney started strong. Forcing Will into the only real save of the game that he had to make. Diving full stretch to his right to palm the ball wide. With the surface as wet as it was it was no time to risk catching a ball moving at pace. Sam, in an excellent performance particularly in the second half, was on hand to complete the clearance. As the half wore on the Lydney crowd were getting quieter as a breakthrough was not forthcoming. We continued to exert control and look solid in possession. Jorge was linking with all around him with the midfield busy being destructive behind him. 

It felt like we needed another goal though as, and they do say that 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline, with Lydney pressing us if it had gone to 2-1 they could have easily got their tails up. The third goal was an excellent team goal. Link up play between Freddie, Jorge and Jacob out on the right saw the latter make it to the byline. He slowed down the play then burst forward beating his defender and drawing the centre backs and keeper. With space in the middle he played the perfect cross for Jorge to finish from a yard out. At 3-0 it was game over. Lydney, to their credit, continued to try and press us but we held firm against the final aerial onslaught. 

This was an excellent squad performance. The back four were solid and there was communication. Will in goal claiming the ball, George talking to his fellow defenders and Sam supporting his winger. Lewis came on late and was decisive in his defending.  In front of them Ryan, Freddie and Jacob worked tirelessly to break up play and provide a creative spark. Louis playing left wing was always the outlet and plays like a proper winger. hugging the touchline and driving forward. When he crosses the ball it is delivered with real quality. In the number 10 libero role we played Max who glides through games and Finn who is very effective in a very different way. As the game wore on and his confidence grew Finn became more influential and started to get more and more involved. Taylor up front shows lovely skill and was unlucky not to score following some fine individual skills. With barely a movement (maybe he gave them the eyes?) he sent the Lydney defence the wrong way, faced with the goal and onrushing keeper he hit his shot too well and it flashed past the far post. Jorge worked tirelessly and led the line incredibly well. In full back Sam was excellent, particularly in the second half where he was able to get forward and support the attack more. Tom on the left had an excellent game and scored a goal that was a little bit meh.

Ok ok - Tom scored a worldy. From left back (he goes where he wants) he was supporting the attack, picking the ball up deep on the left he pushed it forward and hit a lovely shot that looped up then dipped under the bar and behind the keeper. No U15's keeper would have saved that. He celebrated it as only Tom could. It capped a fine display from Tom where he started to show some semblance of discipline in his role!

Motm was Jacob, this was a return to fine form. Wide right he was always available,taking on the full back and looking to make things happen. He opened the scoring, played centrally too and then set up the third. 

Next up are Charlton Rovers Blues on Sunday 19/10. Momentum is building, lets keep this run going.....

Lydney Town - new venue

The league match away to Lydney Town on Sunday 12/10 will now be
played at Blakeney Playing Fields, Butts Lane, GL15 4EE.

Top of the table clash - away to Lydney Town (12/10)

This Sunday we have a top of the table clash away to Lydney Town. This will be a stern test of our credentials with both teams going into this match with 100% league records. Lydney having beaten Fintan and both the Charlton Rovers teams scoring 9 and conceding only 2 in the process.

The match will be played at Lydney Recreation Ground, GL15 5BU. Checking Google maps and from Cheltenham, this is around 30 miles and 50minutes drive, please allow plenty of time to get there.

Lets meet for 1:30pm ahead of the 2 o'clock kick off. The squad for the game is....

1. Will F (Captain)
2. George (Vice-Captain)
3. Lewis
4. Freddie
5. Ben
6. Dan G
7. Sam
8. Jorge
9. Taylor
10. Jacob
11. Finn
12. Tom
13. Louis
14. Ryan
    Max

Third time almost lucky...

GFA County Cup

LRFC Cougars (2) v (2) Cashes Green

LRFC Cougars win 3-2 on penalties

These two teams know each other so well now and it showed in this match. Cashes approached the game with typical aggression and were first to the ball, and the second ball. Where we were strong was in defending. George and Dan G catching the eye and with Ben, making a return following injury, quietly efficient. Sam in the other full back position was always good in possession looking to play the ball to the front players. 

In centre midfield we started with Freddie and Ryan, the attacking four were Louis, Taylor, Tom and Jorge. 

Cashes started strong, again, and continued to call for everything. As with last week the ref got control of this in no uncertain terms. It is ironic then that we then did the same and nearly talked ourselves into a booking. With the central four of George, Ben, Freddie and Ryan holding solid and challenging and winning headers we limited cashes to long shots that Jacob, deputising for Will in goal, was the equal of. 

Finn joined the match for Taylor, initially out wide and then pushed into the number 10 position. This following injury to Sam that saw Tom drop into full back. Finn was excellent in the number 10, excellent going forwards showing good skills and dribbling ability and end product to flash the ball across the goal. 

Cashes continued to be a threat with their direct approach and Jacob was called into action to make a fantastic save at the near post. A great save and reminder of how good a 'keeper he is.

With the half approaching the end and at 0-0 up popped Freddie with the opening goal. Jorge sent in a fantastic cross from a free kick that Freddie rose well for and saw his header hit the net. Two weeks and two headed goals. With the entire Palmer clan present it was a good job he didn't miss. You could see what it meant to the lads too, they celebrated the goal with more intensity than they normally do. Having been under pressure a moment of quality saw us take the lead.

Half time and 1-0.

The second half started in similar fashion with Cashes playing down the slope. They equalised soon into the half with a rare moment of indecision in defence they pounced leaving Jacob no chance. 

We then scored the goal of the game, building play from the back and up the left. The cashes defence and keeper were pulled out of position. The ball played across the area and Taylor finishing from close range. 

Cashes were not done though and while we were starting to play some good football they remained a threat. Their energy and motivation significantly not diminishing. The equaliser came late in the half to make it 2-2. Cashes were then in the ascendency. Nobody wanted penalties. 

Penalties it was.... We needed 5 nominated takers, up stepped Jorge, Jacob, Taylor, George and Freddie. 

Cashes took the first one, Jacob saved. Jorge then scored high over the keeper. 

The next Cashes penalty went wide. Jacob then took and scored his penalty. There's always something cool about seeing a keeper take a penalty. Cashes then scored their third and fourth penalty. Taylor's penalty was well struck but the keeper guessed right making a good save. It was then down to George to take the deciding penalty. He hit it high into the net! 

The game finished 2-2 then 3-2 after penalties. We are through to the next round of the county cup for, I think, the first time.

Cashes could feel aggrieved as they had the better of the game but our performance was a strong one in defence and of character when under pressure. There were a number of strong performances, Jorge ran the line up front excellently and is thriving as the point of attack. He may not have scored today but always looked a threat and never gave up any ball. Finn in the number 10 role was tricky and loose-limbed. 

Out wide Taylor and Louis were always available and linked well for the second goal. Ryan and Freddie were under pressure for much of the game but kept working and trying to play quality to the striker. 

This was a test of character and one that we passed. This team is developing a strength and competitiveness that it has not had before. There is more talking with George, in particular, showing personality on the pitch. We keep our good form going forward - it will be good to test ourselves against a different opposition!

Training 08/10

Training this Wednesday is cancelled due to availability.

As homework each of the lads should do a 20-30minute run and then
confirm it on the Facebook link.

U15's Results - 05/10/2014

County Cup Fixture - Cashes Green again.....

Sunday we have a County Cup fixture against, yes you guessed it, Cashes Green! The game is scheduled to kick off at 2pm so lets meet at 1:15 to set-up etc.... the match will be played at Naunton Park and we have a referee allocated.

Squad for the game will be....

1. Jacob
   
2. George
   
3. Ben
   
4. Freddie
   
5. Ryan
   
6. Finn
   
7. Max
   
8. Jorge
   
9. Sam
   
10. Flymo
    
11. Luca
    
12. Strongman
13. Louis

We may have won the previous two encounters but with both teams knowing what to expect from each other this will be far from easy!