Back with a bang!

Tuffley 2 - 2 LRFC

LRFC opened their U18's season with an away game to Tuffley. In this fixture last season LRFC were 5-0 winners although this Tuffley team bore little resemblance to the team they faced at U16's. With three of the squad away on cricket duties LRFC went into this fixture with a squad of 13 and two of those arrived after kick off!

Lining up in a familiar 4-2-3-1 formation LRFC did have some personnel changes around this with Freddie starting at the back and Luca in holding midfield. There were three starting debuts out wide on the right there was a welcome return for Dan who was making his first start in 2 years following injuries. Fin also made his competitive debut at full back, Hayden completed the starting trio at number 10. GG also made a return to the side but started as substitute.

Lining up with Will in goal, Fin, Ben, Freddie and Adam across the back line. In front of them Ryan and Luca. The attacking quartet was Dan and Olly on the wings, Hayden at number 10 and Jorge up front. Alf and GG started on the bench.

Tuffley started much the stronger with LRFC showing a reluctance to engage with an opponent that was physically bigger in the early exchanges. Tuffley were unable to make this early dominance tell and were pushed back once the LRFC wingers got onto the ball. The initial burst came from Dan on the wide right who received the ball and drove into the space behind the full back who had no answer. His cross did not amount to anything but Tuffley had been given a warning of what LRFC could do. LRFC started to get a foothold in the game with Olly providing the outlet time and again. Such was his fleet of foot that even the linesman was having difficulty keeping up. In between the flag waving Olly was making surging run after surging run. Driving into the box but unable to apply the finish his work deserved.

From one of his surges and shot the keeper could only parry and Dan was there to finish from close range to open his account for the season. This was a great moment for the team and for a player that has been through it. 1-0 and how it would be until half time.

The second half started in much the same way as the first with Tuffley attacking through the middle of the pitch and playing nice passes without really being able to apply a decisive finishing touch. Their equaliser was a gift with LRFC failing to deal with the ball in the box. It was a soft goal to concede and brought the game to 1-1. Tuffley would then go ahead with a real moment of quality. Their number 7 contolling the ball out wide, as he made his way into the box he put a cute finish past Will in goal leaving him no chance.

As before LRFC started to get a foothold in the game again, the midfield was working well with Ryan Kante at his destructive best. Freddie was relishing the physical challenge and showing real quality in possession. With in turns the creativity of Alf and Hayden picking out the runs of the wingers and Jorge through the middle. It was far from one way traffic and the LRFC back four and keeper were called into action throughout.

In the first half in particular Fin had been excellent, with good positional play he was often the last man in defence picking up the overlap and keeping Tuffley at bay.

The LRFC second goal was again scored by Dan and was almost a carbon copy of the first. The originator was different, the outcome the same. Luca stretched his legs and into the Tuffley box his shot was goal bound and parried by the keeper. There was Dan on hand to poke home from close range 2-2 and how the game would finish. LRFC had further chances to score Luca had a chance that hit a Tuffley player and rebounded off the post following an incredible run from deep in his own half. Dan also went close when he found himself in the box but unable to apply the finishing touch. Hayden also went close with a thumping shot that the keeper kept out.

While LRFC created a number of chances and could feel that they deserved the win it's important to remember that Tuffley also created chances and could they might have won it. A draw in these circumstances was probably a fair result.

This was a game of contrasting styles played in excellent competitive spirit. Tuffley moved the ball well and played very central. When LRFC were able to win the ball they moved it forward with much more purpose the wingers proving the difference. Passing was much improved, all that is needed now is some sharpness in front of goal.

Dan was the MotM, a brace in your first game for 2 years guarantees this. There were good performances all round and plenty to build on. What was pleasing aside from the ability was the workrate. If this LRFC squad builds on this performance they will have another excellent season.