There are no easy games...

As good as LRFC were against Painswick last weekend they were bad this Sunday against Charlton Rovers. A game for which the attitude was not right from the off. A more lacklustre start from this team tou will not see; maybe borne out of not wanting to warm up properly, then not switching on and maybe thinking that the game is a simple one. Until the last 20 minutes It was anything but. 

On a large pitch albeit a lumpy one and with the low sun making visibility difficult LRFC really did not get going. For all the possession in the early exchanges there was very little cutting edge with the CR keeper not really being tested. The closest LRFC came was a well struck shot from distance that crashed off the cross bar and a timid shot that the keeper scrambled to his right to save. While dominating possession it was largely sterile. LRFC passing the ball well but not in advanced positions. This was in the main as there was so little movement in the advanced areas. As players carried the ball from deep into the heart of the CR defence the front players were standing and watching rather than moving out wide to pull defenders out of position and create space. This was happening time and again. One thing this LRFC side could do as a unit is work on their movement. Too many players wait for the ball and then move rather than anticipate where it might go or be played and work on that. Moves were breaking down time and again and CR were able to clear their lines. 

It’s very easy to defend against players that don’t move. 

The opening goal went to CR. A free kick just outside the area that was hit with real power and that flew into the top of the net. 1-0 and how it was at half time. 

Second half and LRFC started much the same. Lacklustre and no movement. Players were being caught in possession and just giving the ball back to CR as there was no one moving to receive the ball. CR then scored their second to put them 2-0 up. A break down the right and as Will rushed from his line to narrow the angle the ball was rolled into the net. 2-0. 

LRFC then made some tactical switches, Alf moved from centre back (swapping with the ever tenacious Ryan) into midfield alongside Freddie and Jacob. Gus and Luca were playing up front. Width came from Sam and Connor. CR were pushed back and defending the edge of their box. The LRFC midfield had plenty of the ball but were still susceptible to a breakaway as they chased for goals. 

The first LRFC goal came from Gus. A lovely ball played to the back post by Sam for him to finish into the corner 2-1 and the comeback was on. LRFC perhaps smelling a result upped their effort and started playing with more tempo and urgency. An equalising goal followed shortly with Luca, put through by Connor, scoring from close range. 2-2 with a few minutes left. There was time for an incredible save from the keeper, as Luca span in the box his close range volley was tipped away by the keeper. LRFC could have easily settled for and believed the game was destined to be a draw. 

Not so, opening his account for the season, Connor strode forward from wide midfield and his a strong shot that flew through the crowded penalty box and into the net. 3-2 and how the game would end. 

Victory from the jaws of defeat and CR could be forgiven for feeling that they should have got something from the game. 

Alf was given the MotM for a performance where he led by example. The players being considered for this each week are the same ones. The LRFC players know who they are. When the squad matches the effort and intensity of these players they will be unstoppable until then it will be hard work. That the team showed real determination and fight to come back into the game is something that should be acknowledged. But it really didn’t have to be this hard.   

Remaining Fixture

04/03 - Longlevens AWAY

11/03 - Mother’s Day - no game

18/03 - no game

25/03 - Tuffley AWAY

01/04 - no game

08/04 - Charlton Rovers HOME

15/04 - Painswick HOME

22/04 - Longlevens HOME

29/04 - no game

Sunday 06/05 (1630hrs KO)
U18 Cup Final v either Painswick or Fintan

If you are unavailable for any of these games please let Marcus or Simon know immediately. 

Charlton Rovers away

Sunday 25/02 we are away to Charlton Rovers, the first time we have faced them this season. They currently sit 6th in the league with 9 points from 8 matches played.

The game will be played at Whaddon Rec, Whaddon Road, GL52-5NB. Lets meet for 1:20 ahead of the 2:00 kick off.

Squad for the game will be

1. Will
2. Ben
3. George
4. Sam
5. Ryan
6. Jacob
7. Luca
8. Gus
9. Alf
10. Hayden
11. Jorge
12. Seth
13. Connor
14. Freddie

Tom faces a late fitness test and Lewis remains out of action. 

10 brave men

This is a game where the score line really does not tell the story. At the point in the season where LRFC should be putting a marker down injury has robbed them of players.

Freddie continues his sensible rehab from ACL surgery, Connor is struggling with his knee, Tom with his ankle and Lewis is out for the season with a serious ankle injury. Add that Sam was on a mini-break and Seth was playing tennis LRFC turned up with 10 players.

Playing a 3-5-1 formation to maximise stability in the middle of the pitch and maintain a threat going forward LRFC took the lead. 

A free kick from deep in the LRFC half was pushed forward deep into the Painswick penalty area. There was Gus to finish from close range high into the net. The game would remain 1-0 for some time as LRFC stuck to their defensive task. 

Will was in goal, the back three were Ben, George and dropping back again Alf. Each with a different skill set they complemented each other perfectly. Alf won many aerial challenges, Ben was neat on the ground with not much getting past him. Alongside was George, pace and power. A very solid 3 today. 

The midfield 5 comprised Gus, Jacob and Ryan centrally with then Hayden and Jorge in the wide positions. 

The lone striker was Luca, deployed so as his pace would cause problems. This formation worked with Painswick keeping 2 and 3 defenders back to cover.

Painswick pulled the game back to 1-1 following a corner. As the ball ricocheted out towards the edge of the penalty box there was a Painswick player to fire cleanly into the net. 

Painswick would take the lead before the half was out following some desperate LRFC defending. 

Rather than let their heads drop LRFC equalised. A superb free kick was fired into the area from wide left low by Gus with Luca on hand to divert it beyond the keeper. 

2-2 going into half time. 

The second half started quite slow. Neither team being to expansive early on, in truth this suited LRFC. 

As the half progressed LRFC were being pegged back but with painswick restricted to long shots. Where painswick were dangerous was from set plays. They took the lead from one. A header directed into the corner.

LRFC were not done and winning another free kick from deep which was again taken by Alf, Jorge was on hand to coolly sidefoot home from close range. 3-3 and how the game was until 5 minutes to go. 

LRFC deserved the draw for their efforts but it wasn’t to be. With fatigue starting to tell a Painswick player jinked inside from the right and finished beyond Will. 4-3 and how the game would end.

LRFC played this game with 10 players and were far from outplayed. 

Organisation, desire and work rate aligned with ability kept them in the game and it would not be a surprise if the spectators were unaware that LRFC were playing with 10 such was the balance between the sides. 

Gus was imperious in midfield and with Ryan and Jacob alongside him found time and space where there really wasn’t any. Ryan was his destructive best and Jacob, playing through a hamstring pain, was at his influential best. 

Outside of them Hayden, who ended up playing more as a right back, was solid and kept to his task in an unfamiliar position. Likewise Jorge in the left although he was able to press forward more and opened his account. 

Luca ploughed a lone furrow up front which is a thankless task. Feeding on scraps. He did enough to occupy the defenders and kept them nervy at the back. 

More than anything this was a team performance. There was strength all over the pitch and resilience to match. That LRFC lost the game matters little when analyses in context. 

What fans want from their teams over everything is work rate and passion. 



LRFC delivered this in truck fulls today.

Painswick away (Sunday 18/02)

Sunday (18/02) we are away to Painswick with the game to be played at King George V playing field, Bisley, GL6-7BN (around 11 miles and half an hour drive).

Remember that this pitch has a very small car park so you might be better parking down the road if you can.

Painswick are a team we know very well and they are setting the pace once again in the league. They sit top with 6 wins from 6 matches. 

Squad for this game will be...

1. Will (Captain)
2. George
3. Sam
4. Seth
5. Connor
6. Ryan
7. Luca
8. Jacob
9. Gus
10. Hayden
11. Jorge
12. Alf

Freddie is missing as he continues his sensible and steady rehab. Lewis remains out with his serious ankle injury. Ben (knee) and Tom (ankle) face late fitness tests. 

Score draw v Fintan

The conditions could not have been more different; when these teams met earlier in the season temperatures were in the 20’s, on that day Fintan ran out 3-1 winners. With a hail shower and snow flurry before kick-off and a howling icy wind throughout the play reflected the weather. The game was played with good intensity, both teams competing to win the ball feed their front players. Despite the condition of the pitch there was some quality on display.

LRFC took the lead following a corner that Fintan could not get clear. There was Jacob to smash home from close range. Fintan equalised soon after catching LRFC out with a goal following a break down field. At half time the game was balanced at 1-1.

Second half and as LRFC pressed for the lead they were undone with a bit of wind assistance. As the attacker cut in from the right wing and was not closed down quickly enough his cross caught the wind and evaded the LRFC keeper. 2-1.

From this point LRFC started to press Fintan back more and more all the while remaining aware of the threat that the long ball over the tope could present. As the LRFC midfield started to get more possession the link up play between Jacob and Gus was just excellent. Winning the ball and driving forward at every opportunity. Where LRFC struggled was getting the ball to the wide players as Fintan had cut that route off by doubling up.

The equalising LRFC goal came from a new signing from the LRFC U17’s, one of two debutants, with Jaden controlling a cross from Alf before finishing high into the net. 2-2 and how the game would finish.

Jacob was the MotM with a return to form where not only is he breaking up play he is driving forward and linking play. It is no coincidence that this has come as a result of improved fitness. He was closely run by Fergus who is showing the sort of effort off the ball that all the players should be showing and then quality in possession. The team needs to be able to match that level of performance.

The debutants, signed from the U17’s both had a really significant impact. Bill, playing centre back in the absence of Ben, was strong and commanding, allowing George to break forward on occasion safe n the knowledge that there was cover. Jaden too, playing a number of positions, was really excellent further forward scoring the goal and showing a touch under pressure that was just sublime. Out wide right he took a ball from height in the wind killing it instantly. Much to the incredulity of the LRFC subs on the touchline. 

LRFC has a moment late in the game where they could have snatched. The 4th or is it 5th fastest player in the squad picked the ball up from deep. Bursting forward reasonably quickly he drove into the box only to see his well struck shot saved by the keeper. 

Painswick are next as the business end of the season starts to approach. The tougher games are definitely starting to bring out the best in this LRFC side. 

Fintan at Home

Sunday 11/02 we are at home to Fintan on the league. Fintan sit one place and 3 points above us in the league having played one game more. Their last game a 2-1 win over Gotherington.

We are the home team so the game will be played at Naunton Park with a 2pm kick-off. Please arrange to meet for 1:15 so we can set-up the pitch etc.

The squad for this game will be

1. Will
2. George
3. Ryan
4. Seth
5. Jacob
6. Alf
7. Luca
8. Hayden
9. Jorge
10. Connor
11. Fergus
12. Freddie

Unavailable for this game are Lewis and Sam. Tom and Ben are struggling with knocks and facing late fitness tests.

GFA County Cup - Heaviest defeat

GFA County Cup Quarter Finals 

Yate Town FC (10) V (0) LRFC U18's

This was a day that LRFC really needed a full squad. That the result was only just into double figures owes much to the heroics of Will in goal and the defensive unit. At the end of the match the referee was complimentary that this LRFC team had not let their heads go down and remarked how good the keeper and centre back had played.

Yate Town were clearly the better side, they moved the ball well and moved off the ball. LRFC were chasing shadows for much of the game, being a man down had an impact but even at 11 v 11 Yate always seemed to have the extra man. Where you play a team that has more technical ability the attitude has to be to work harder. To get tighter and close the space. LRFC seemed unsure how to do this with too many players being by-passed too easily, jogging to close the opposition down who were able to pass too easily. When they did on occasion close the Yate players down the ball was not played quite so true.

LRFC were always going to struggle with so many players missing but need to maybe look at the basics of playing football. The game is 90 minutes and if you cannot sustain a level of performance for the whole match then are you doing something wrong?

There was a bonus for LRFC with Freddie playing his first competitive minutes this season following his ACL reconstruction. This was a good game to make a come-back in, the surface was good and the game was not being competed in an overly physical manner. There were a couple of moments where he took a heavy challenge but in both cases he got up unscathed. His rehab will continue tentatively over the coming matches but this was a significant step forward.

While this represents the heaviest defeat in LRFC Cougars history the context is important. There is room to improve for this side and they will have to take personal responsibility for that to remain challenging in the league and also the cup final that is coming in early May.

Hard work can be talent when talent doesn’t work.