County Cup Blues

GFA County Cup 

LRFC Cougars U15 (2) V (3) Fintan FC

This game highlighted the importance of momentum in sport and how finely balanced it can be. 

This was an excellent cup match, there was full blooded commitment, ability and drive in both teams. But for better finishing the result could have been different. Fintan started the quicker of the two teams and were direct and strong in their approach play. After that initial 15 minutes or so we started to come into the game and began playing some really great stuff. Freddie and Ryan were tireless in midfield with Ryan catching the eye with a bustling and energetic performance. Up front we struggled to get quality ball to Jorge. When we did he scored, a brave finish at the far post as it loomed into his view. 

We had other chances too, Jorge took an excellent shot early and from distance that just flashed past the post. Jacob went close with a header from a corner making too solid a contact if anything. We also had a penalty saved that was taken from a spot that looked more like a bucket than a penalty spot. Had we gone in at 2-0 it felt that Fintan's heads might have dropped. At 1-0 they were very much in the game and given belief with the penalty save. 

Second half and again Fintan started strongly again. Momentum had swung in their favour.  

They got a goal back following some indecision at the back. 1-1. The complexion of the game changed now with Fintan chasing and appealing everything. 

We then scored the goal of the game. We were starting to get on the ball more and get our passing game going. As we built down the left the ball was with Louis. He dragged the ball back to avoid a challenge and then struck a shot from distance that flew over the keep and into the net. A stunning strike. 2-1 and momentum back in our favour. The turning point of the game came in the most fortuitous of circumstances. With the ball pinging around in midfield the Fintan player whacked it forward. It was a clearance, not a shot. 

Tell that to the ball. It flew towards our goal and dropped in over Wills head. Impossible to save. 2-2 with around 5 minutes to play. We then panicked a bit and as we were pushing for the winner conceded a third goal as, with no defence to speak of Fintan broke down the right and squared the ball to finish in what i believe the FIFA players call a sweaty goal. 

It was the final decisive action. 

Had we taken our chances in the first half the game would have been over. We didn't and to Fintan's credit they never gave up. 

In training we work on decisiveness in both attacking and defensive positions. Get the clearance away when we are defending and get the shot away when we are attacking. Against Fintan we did, despite conceding 3, defend better, we just lacked that killer instinct in front of goal. 

With Painswick in the league our next opponents we will need to make sure we have our shooting boots on.

Ryan was the MotM for a performance of constant energy that saw him at his destructive best. Avery strong performance against a strong opposition.