Thrashed at Lydney

Lack of confidence shatters LRFC ambitions. 

Following the poor show against Painswick last weekend LRFC needed to show a reaction. They did of sorts but the issues perhaps run deeper than can be fixed in a week. 

Thee was improvement but against the team that has won the league the last two seasons it was too little. 

Goals make the difference and give teams confidence. This LRFC side needs to get into a lead and build from that. It nearly happened that way with an LRFC free kick from distance crashing off the crossbar. At 0-0 if that goes in maybe LRFC can be buoyed by that. 

Lydney took the lead soon after - with LRFC pushing a high line the striker raced through into the space behind to chip the keeper, 1-0. There was then another LRFC chance cleared off the line. Lydney broke and scored to make it 2-0. At 1-1 maybe there was something to grab hold of.

LRFC then slid into the sort of performance that saw them dumped out of the cup. Looking at the game it's too easy to say that Lydney wanted it more but that's how it appeared. First to every loose ball, always on the move, driving back to defend their own goal. LRFC showed this only in flashes.

This LRFC side needs to find its form that is for certain. They have not become a bad team overnight but they are playing very bad indeed. 

There's not enough movement, not enough communication and not enough trust. They are reactive to play rather than anticipating it. Too ponderous in possession and too slow to recover. Fitness is a big part of this and some of the squad need to consider if they can play a full 90 minute game or not. That is the minimum requirement and while LRFC had 4 substitutes today Lydney only had 1.

The touch, the cohesion and confidence will come back it just needs a goal or two. 

It's the County Cup next week and a chance to build on the very small shoots of recovery. If the players do nothing else this week they should continue to develop their own fitness levels.