end of an era...

This was the LRFC Cougars last ever league football match. After 10 years playing in the Cheltenham Youth League it came down to this. 

That it finished with a win and at home is quite fitting. 

A 5-1 victory over a very spirited Longlevens team that kept going right to the very end despite the warm conditions and having no substitutes. 

That LRFC were able to score five goals from different goal scorers and that each goal was created by a different player shows excellent form across the side going into the Cup Final in two weeks. 

That there were six players on the pitch (Will, Sam, Luca, George, Fergus, and Jacob) who were there for the first game in 2008 (away to Bishops Cleeve) is all the more pleasing for a side that has been built wholeheartedly on friendship.

The scoring was opened by Alf following excellent wing play by Luca who crossed to the back post. Alf still had work to do but finished beyond the keeper. Evidence of the value of switching play quickly. Luca was found in space by a diagonal pass and was able to cross to his opposite winger to score. 

Longlevens then equalised with their player breaking through the middle to finish over Will's head. LRFC is a great attacking side and needs to remember to also defend as a team. It did not remain 1-1 for long; LRFC were awarded a penalty when Tom sprinting almost as fast as Jaden did on Wednesday against the same team, broke into the box where he was upended. The ref showed little hesitation and Luca despatched the penalty to the top corner with little emotion. 2-1. 

The half time talk was to keep going and to be more clinical. While the score was 2-1 LRFC had created chances, Fergus with the pick of the bunch with a curling shot that rebounded off the upright. 

The second half started well for LRFC, Connor scored with a smart finish from a Jacob pass. Then Jaden put Gus through to finish well. It was Jaden that rounded off the win with a header from a Seth cross. Showing energy to overlap the forward Seth delivered a perfect ball into the box. 

The last few minutes of the game were lacking quality as the heat and fatigue took it's toll with the ball being lashed clear at every opportunity. 

5-1 a nice way to bow out from Naunton Park. 

Jacob was the MotM. In games like these he glides around the pitch and makes the game look so simple. Always available to pick up and control a loose ball, always in the right place to receive from a team mate, rarely out of 2nd gear and rarely troubled.