30 seconds

The game starts when the referee blows his whistle. Not 30 seconds later.

The LRFC slow start at the beginning of both halves cost them this game. But for that they played well. They moved the ball well and matched Painswick in competing for the ball and to gain territory and a foothold in the match. 

Going 1-0 down inside 1 minute was a blow to this side but there's plenty of time to come back. This they did with a free-kick wide left flying into the bottom corner of the net without a touch. The movement of the players and the quality of the free kick being enough to prevent the keeper making the save. 

At 1-1 the game was fiercely contested and largely within the laws of the game. Neither team shirked a challenge and every 50/50 was well contested. Painswick would take the lead again with a neat finish towards the end of the first half but there was time again for LRFC to level from the spot. The LRFC player had his heels taken from under him in the box, the ref showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The penalty was despatched sending the keeper to his right and the ball going bottom left. 2-2.

Second half and in a carbon copy of the first LRFC conceded what would be the winning goal within 30 seconds of the restart. Getting caught cold.

The remainder of the game played out much the same as the first. Competitive and combative. There was one flare up that saw a player from each side booked for ‘unsportsmanlike behaviour’. That these were the only bookings in the game was a bit of a surprise.

Freddie was the MotM, making his first start since October 2016 this has been a long road back to fitness, that he was able to compete and play as he did is testament to his mental strength as much as it is the skill of his surgeon.

On the evidence of this game and indeed the earlier league match, that LRFC lost by the odd goal in 7, both sides will be looking ahead to the cup final thinking they can win it.