Suzie Carters Coat....

Cheltenham youth league u15

Cleeve Colts (0) v (3) LRFC Cougars

This was a game of two halves. Cleeve playing a very direct style looking to hit their striker early. With the wind as it was the ball was holding up too much and leaving their striker too much to do. When they did break close to our goal their shot was saved excellently by Will, tipping it full stretch onto the bar. As the ball dropped into play Lewis headed it away with then a clearance into space. Had this gone in the game could have been different as momentum would have swung. 

After this scare Cleeve rarely troubled our goal as we started to exert more pressure on the game. With George missing through injury Freddie dropped into centre back alongside Lewis with Sam and Tom making up the defence. In front of them Ryan and Jacob were busy being destructive and trying to spring attacks. The attacking quadruple were Finn, Louis, Max and Jorge. With excellent options on the bench this was a squad performance.

The first half was noteworthy for its lack of noteworthy action. Will's save aside although we did open the scoring. The goal was very unlike us in the build up although was despatched goal wards with typical aplomb by Jorge, continuing his scoring run. Will sent a clearance long down the pitch, the bounce evaded the Cleeve defenders, Jorge ran through and cooly slotted beyond the keeper. 1-0 and how the half would end. 

During that first half there were glimpses of what we can do, the lads were linking, passing simply and, finally, playing the way they were facing!

Second half we were playing into the wind which suited us. It was holding up the ball and we were playing some great stuff. Our second goal was, possibly, the greatest goal we have ever scored. At the very least it was very good. 

Taylor picked up the ball wide right, he jinked his way infield evading a couple of challenges. A crisp one-two with Sam, who was pushing up from right back in support and he played the ball to Max who, first time, lifted the ball over the oncoming defender to drop into Luca's path. With no defenders around him, such had been the movement and crispness of the passing, he applied the finishing touch passing the ball into the net. 2-0. A fantastic, quality, team goal. 

This turned the game significantly in our favour. As we applied more and more pressure we really retained possession. Ryan was MotM for an excellent midfield display. Constantly moving, flying into tackles and then having the fitness to be able to look for a pass. This was a standout performance on a day where there were a number. 

We lost Will to an injury. Saving bravely at the feet of the on rushing attacker he took a heavy knock on the thigh that shortly afterwards ended his game. Jacob took the famous gold jersey and with it his place in goal. Bar one piece of action where he saved at the feet of the attacker he had little to do such was the dominance with which were now playing. 

As the game progressed Louis and Max were getting more involved. Louis hugging the left touch line and being given the ball with space to run into. Driving to the by line he sent in cross after cross that narrowly evaded our attacker and were defended well. If you keep knocking at the door though someone will eventually answer. He flashed the ball across the area for Jorge to finish from close range. 3-0 and how the game would finish. 

It's often said that a result doesn't tell the story of the game and this was very much the case today. Jorge and Luca had other chances that inexplicably failed to hit the target not least of all because the Cleeve keeper was in great form. Finn also saw a shot agonisingly crash off the cross bar following good right wing play. 

The game ended 3-0 to give us the three points that see us stay at the top of the league. With Lydney and Charlton Rovers Reds both winning today, and waiting for us to slip up, today was not that day... 

We have one more game before Christmas with Cinderford visiting 'Fortress Naunton Park' next Sunday - win that and we are top at Christmas. 

Well done today to all the lads on a great performance. 

Oh and why did Tom have his sisters jacket?