LRFC score a handful...

When all around you...

This was a top of the table clash. LRFC in second and Tuffley a point behind in 3rd. A tense match was anticipated and while LRFC started strongly at 0-0 Tuffley were very much in it. Both teams were giving it everything and the game fizzed from end to end. LRFC making consistent progress down the right through the lung bursting runs of Alf. 

LRFC made the breakthrough, a cross from the right following a foul was delivered beautifully by Sam. At the back post there was Tom to nod in. 1-0. 

It would stay 1-0 until half time. 

The second half started and LRFC doubled their lead with a stunning strike from Luca. Out running the defence he saw the keeper of his line and hit a strong shot in at the near post. 2-0.

LRFC were really starting to dominate possession with Tuffley looking a threat on the break. They were restricted to long range efforts which LRFC smothered and blocked. The defenders really did put everything on the line today. 

2-0 became 3-0 with a lovely finish from Gus. Jacob found himself in the wide right position and out of nothing created space to find Gus. His shot into the far side of the net beyond the keeper was a fitting finish to a fine move. 

Jacob was MotM for the second week in a row. His controlling and reading of the game are quite excellent and he is at the heart of much that is good about this team. In this form he makes the game look easy.

Gus would have his afternoon cut short following a very heavy challenge from behind. Going right through his Achilles this saw him limp out. The resultant penalty was smashed in by Luca straight down the middle. Hayden returned to the fray up front. Playing up front in this team can be a thankless task as the ball is generally played wide with the wingers driving forward. Nonetheless Hayden stuck to the task and worked across the line and dropped deeper to pick up the ball and keep pressure on the ball.

The 5th goal came from Jorge. Playing wide left he found himself on the byline. Driving through a couple of challenges he smashed the ball in from an acute angle. This is what everyone should be talking about but sadly his loss of temper with a few minutes remaining are what remain in the memory.

While scoring goals might grab headlines the work at the back by the defensive trio and Will in goal was excellent. Sam slotted in alongside Lewis and Ben in place of George. This was a seamless transition. Lewis provided the strength, Sam the guile and ability to play out and Ben the technical nous to nip in front of defenders and get a toe in where he really has no right. Maybe they should fight crime?

With Tom patrolling the left and Seth the right this was a strong unit. Ryan and Jacob provide them with tenacious protection. 

This is what is different this season. The issues of the past around fitness appear to have gone. The desire is there. The determination is matched by quality. There’s a good squad too. With two players coming off with injury this side can cope. No one likes to start on the bench but when called upon no one lets themselves down either.

As a final comment on the match from Rudyard Kipling...

If you can keep your head when all about you   

    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,   

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

    But make allowance for their doubting too;   

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

    Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;   

    If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;   

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

    And treat those two impostors just the same;   

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

    And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

    And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

    To serve your turn long after they are gone,   

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,   

    Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

    If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,   

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,   

    And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

It is Fintan next in what is now a top of the table clash. Playing this way LRFC have to be confident going into that game.