Rodborough Youth U15 (2) v (8) LRFC Cougars
If Carlsberg did youth football pitches then this would have been very
close to being one of theirs. A quite stunning setting, up the hill
out of Stroud a piece of flat ground with an impeccable pitch marked
out. The views across the valley quite stunning. With early September
temperatures hitting 20c and little shade this was going to be a
demanding fixture.
With 4 substitutes the pre-match talk was about how we have, possibly,
the strongest squad we have ever had with competition in all positions
and lads that can play in a couple of positions. That versatility has
always been incredibly useful. That we were able to make a number of
changes through the game without disrupting the pattern of play too
much just serves to prove that.
The starting 11 were Will in goal, the back four of Dan G, Lewis,
George and Will T. The holding pair were Freddie and Ryan. The
attacking trio of Jorge, Max and Jacob lining up behind Luca as
striker. On the bench were Ben, Finn, Sam and bucking the trend with
an extra syllable Taylor.
The game kicked off and immediately we pressed Rodborough. The outlet
was Jacob on the right who was linking with Luca at every opportunity.
They both went close with early efforts. Just pulling shots wide. On
the left Jorge was linking with Max and starting to get onto good
positions. After sustained pressure the opening goal came totally
against the run of play.
Rodborough cleared the ball long, as they chased I the ball downfield
there was miscommunication between Will and Dan G with the ball being
played into our own net. No drama. We had been on top and there was a
long way to go.
We equalised in less than 5 minutes. Luca receiving the ball in the
box to score low past the keeper. Confidence restored we were then in
control of the match. Restricting Rodborough to long clearances down
field. We did struggle when the ball was in the air but were composed
enough to regain possession and try to attack again.
Jorge would score our second goal on the stroke of 20 minutes just
before he was substituted. The sub was planned well before he scored.
The same is also true of Lewis who late in the second half barrelled
his way through the middle of the pitch and struck a ferocious shot
that left the keeper no chance. If there wasn't a net the ball would
now be orbiting the earth such was the power. Immediately after he was
substituted!
Taylor scored the third from the wide left position, finishing well
over the keeper. A competitive debit in which as the game wore on his
confidence grew.
Then...... On the stroke of half time there was a moment so incredible
that even the architect of it was surprised. We had a free kick about
5 yards to the left of centre and about 10 yards outside the box. The
exchange, I believe, went something like this....
George "can I take it?"
Freddie "yeah, have a pop"
Ref "you can take it quick or they will be able to set a wall"
George ran from deep and smashed the ball with his right foot, it flew
like a missile into the top left corner. The keeper had no chance.
As uh turned to celebrate the look of surprise on his face was only
matched by everyone else's in the ground! A special goal.
Half time and we made more changes. Ryan, also making his competitive
debut, taking a well earned breather. Finn came on in the wide right.
The message at half time was to pass the ball more. With the
temperature not abating the ball needed to do the work not the
players. We started well although, smelling goals, this quickly
evaporated as the tendency to take on too many players started to kick
in.
While this was a great opening result it wasn't necessarily a great
performance as we tend to drop to the level of our opponents rather
than impose our way. We pass the ball and use energy, technical
ability and pace. When we play teams that are more direct we need to
remember that as that is how we will get our rewards.
The next goal was probably the team move of the game. Picking up the
ball from defence Sam (excellent at full back and latterly when we
switched to 3 at the back) brought it forward, linked with Finn who
played it inside, there were then 4 or 5 further passes with the ball
then played to Luca. He rode a couple of tackles, showed quick feet
and finished under pressure. This was an excellent team goal and shows
how passing the ball quickly and with purpose can get you goals. There
was still time for two more goals, Will T finishing over the keeper
with a lovely shot from distance and Jorge completing his brace with a
goal high to the right of the keepers dive.
There will be sterner tests in this division but to start with an
emphatic victory is all you can ask for. Will's distribution both
short and long was excellent. George and Lewis look strong at centre
back, also in full back positions we are well covered with Dan G, Sam,
Will T and Freddie all playing there today. We still need to win more
balls in the air and against better opposition will be punished for
some of our defending. There is also a greater need for communication
and trust to play the way you are facing. We do not always need to
dribble out of defence or play the Hollywood pass.
Midfield we looked very strong, Ryan and Freddie a formidable
partnership all about tenacity and power. Freddie is fast becoming an
enforcer in the team and Ryan,alongside him, looked like he had been
playing with us for years.
The front 4 created lots of chances and but for better finishing could
have scored a lot more. It's early season though and it takes a game
or two to get your eye in. It was fortunate that today it did not
really matter. That they made chances and kept making them was more
important than necessarily taking them all.
George was MotM for that goal.
It seems churlish to criticise the team after winning 8-2 but the old
problems are still there. When the ball is played long by the
opposition keeper we need to win the header and head it back. As soon
as we let it bounce we put ourselves under pressure, against better
teams that will count. The same is true in midfield. Up front we need
to be quicker with our passing. Once we have created a moment of space
release the ball, as soon as we hold onto it the opposition can get
back into shape and the moment is gone. Again, against better teams we
will be punished for taking too many touches.
Next up we are home to Cashes Green lets play with the intensity and
drive that we did today and iron out these small issues in the play
and really put on a show.
Well done to the lads today - a good win of the opening day is about
as good as it gets.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Friendly Fixture :: LRFC Cougars v Kings Stanley
Sunday 31st August we had a friendly match against Kings Stanley who
play in, I think, the North Wiltshire League. This was to be the first
main session of pre-season with training sessions cancelled as many of
the lads were on holiday late into the school holidays.
We had agreed to play 4 x 20minute games to give the lads a breather
and also to make any adjustments that we wanted. Against, what we knew
would be a tough team, we lined up in a conservative 4-5-1 formation.
This formation saw us defensively quite solid but lacking when trying
to break forward as supporting the lone striker was difficult. KS were
dangerous on the break and a very physically powerful team.
The first game started, as you'd expect, at quite a pace. Both teams
up for it on a perfect morning. Blue skies, firm pitches and little
wind. Both teams trying to pass the ball and play football. There
wasn't a bad tackle throughout the game despite both teams playing
full throttle.
We started strongly with Ryan, making his 11-a-side debut for us,
catching the eye in centre midfield. Plenty of drive from deep and
always looking to thread the ball to the striker. At the back we
looked solid with Lewis and George picking up from where they left
last season. At full back Freddie and Dan G were quick to push on if
the opportunity arose. What we did show though was tactical nous. So
the messages about watching your team mates and not all bombing
forward was starting to show. If we broke up the right then Freddie
would push on with the defence and left back shuffling across. This is
what what we want to see.
Most of our good play came down the right hand side where Finn was
able to get on the ball and create some space with a trick, then look
to play the ball infield or forward. This was Finns return to the team
after a year out and showed that he is one of our more skilful
players. Once he has his fitness sorted he will be a significant
player for this team.
The first game finished 0-0. In reality we didn't look like
threatening their goal, restricted to a couple of long shots.
Something the lads should do more if they are in and around the box.
We were on occasion reluctant to have a go preferring to try and walk
it in.
Will F kept us in the game with a quite excellent double save. With
the KS striker bearing down on him in a 1-on-1 Will came off his line
and stayed tall, the KS striker hit his shot which Will pushed onto
the post. The ball still live KS had another go Will equal to it again
pushing it onto the crossbar and out.
The second game we continued with 4-5-1 bringing Jorge on for Taylor
up front and changing personnel in the middle to give Charlie (Will
T's cousin) a game I centre midfield. Jorge offered more presence up
front and was able to hold the ball up more. By the last game we were
playing 4-4-2 with Taylor and Jorge up front looking much more
dangerous, Jorge providing the outlet and Taylor, looking much more
confident, working off him. Something we will need to consider more to
get the best out of our attacking options this season.
The second match played very similar to the first and with the referee
about to blow the whistle we conceded to lose 1-0. The ball fired in
high from a tight angle. A decent finish.
With a few players missing we lacked some depth in the squad and in
particular in the defensive positions. Lewis needed a break with some
back trouble so Freddie, who was outstanding all morning, moved to
centre back with Will T dropping to full back (even his granddad said
this is his best position). Through this game we were a little
unbalanced with both Freddie and George more inclined to attacking
play we were left exposed through the middle. We lost this game 2-0
with the second coming from a gap in the centre of defence the KS
striker running through and lobbing the ball over Will's head as he
closed him down. A FIFA goal you might say.
We lost this one 2-0.
The final game and heads were down although we had played well. We
couldn't match the KS physicality all over the pitch but we showed in
patches that when we passed the football they struggled to get near
us. What we needed to do was show more confidence in our game and work
to impose that more.
For the final game we played Freddie in centre midfield. He was a
revelation and drew admiring comments from some of the spectators. He
started to mix it more with the KS midfielders with his physical
presence giving them something different to worry about.
With Taylor and Jorge up front we looked more progressive and had
better options. We would struggle to stretch the play with pace but
both players have good skills on the ball. Jorge in particular looked
more up for it than he had done, after a rotten injury struck year
lets hope we see the best of him. He scored red our goal to put us 1-0
up finishing over the keepers head with the outside of his right foot
from just inside the area. We continued to push forward, linking with
Taylor and Jorge early but unable to get a second goal.
The sucker punch came with a KS goal to level the scores.
Overall we played well against a very good team. This was our first
outing of the season and we did not look too rusty. Missing some key
players meant that rotation and cover, particularly in defensive
positions, was difficult. Thanks to both Fergus and Charlie, coming in
like the cavalry to help us out. Both played well and settled into the
way of playing.
There were excellent performances from Will in goal, Freddie (possibly
our best player on the day) and George at the back. The debutants all
played well and settled into the team - we will need to adapt our play
a little this season to get the best out of all of them.
We should be confident as we move to the season opener this Sunday
against Rodborough. We will not face many teams as strong as KS and
with a few more games under our belts and the full squad available
would be a different prospect.
play in, I think, the North Wiltshire League. This was to be the first
main session of pre-season with training sessions cancelled as many of
the lads were on holiday late into the school holidays.
We had agreed to play 4 x 20minute games to give the lads a breather
and also to make any adjustments that we wanted. Against, what we knew
would be a tough team, we lined up in a conservative 4-5-1 formation.
This formation saw us defensively quite solid but lacking when trying
to break forward as supporting the lone striker was difficult. KS were
dangerous on the break and a very physically powerful team.
The first game started, as you'd expect, at quite a pace. Both teams
up for it on a perfect morning. Blue skies, firm pitches and little
wind. Both teams trying to pass the ball and play football. There
wasn't a bad tackle throughout the game despite both teams playing
full throttle.
We started strongly with Ryan, making his 11-a-side debut for us,
catching the eye in centre midfield. Plenty of drive from deep and
always looking to thread the ball to the striker. At the back we
looked solid with Lewis and George picking up from where they left
last season. At full back Freddie and Dan G were quick to push on if
the opportunity arose. What we did show though was tactical nous. So
the messages about watching your team mates and not all bombing
forward was starting to show. If we broke up the right then Freddie
would push on with the defence and left back shuffling across. This is
what what we want to see.
Most of our good play came down the right hand side where Finn was
able to get on the ball and create some space with a trick, then look
to play the ball infield or forward. This was Finns return to the team
after a year out and showed that he is one of our more skilful
players. Once he has his fitness sorted he will be a significant
player for this team.
The first game finished 0-0. In reality we didn't look like
threatening their goal, restricted to a couple of long shots.
Something the lads should do more if they are in and around the box.
We were on occasion reluctant to have a go preferring to try and walk
it in.
Will F kept us in the game with a quite excellent double save. With
the KS striker bearing down on him in a 1-on-1 Will came off his line
and stayed tall, the KS striker hit his shot which Will pushed onto
the post. The ball still live KS had another go Will equal to it again
pushing it onto the crossbar and out.
The second game we continued with 4-5-1 bringing Jorge on for Taylor
up front and changing personnel in the middle to give Charlie (Will
T's cousin) a game I centre midfield. Jorge offered more presence up
front and was able to hold the ball up more. By the last game we were
playing 4-4-2 with Taylor and Jorge up front looking much more
dangerous, Jorge providing the outlet and Taylor, looking much more
confident, working off him. Something we will need to consider more to
get the best out of our attacking options this season.
The second match played very similar to the first and with the referee
about to blow the whistle we conceded to lose 1-0. The ball fired in
high from a tight angle. A decent finish.
With a few players missing we lacked some depth in the squad and in
particular in the defensive positions. Lewis needed a break with some
back trouble so Freddie, who was outstanding all morning, moved to
centre back with Will T dropping to full back (even his granddad said
this is his best position). Through this game we were a little
unbalanced with both Freddie and George more inclined to attacking
play we were left exposed through the middle. We lost this game 2-0
with the second coming from a gap in the centre of defence the KS
striker running through and lobbing the ball over Will's head as he
closed him down. A FIFA goal you might say.
We lost this one 2-0.
The final game and heads were down although we had played well. We
couldn't match the KS physicality all over the pitch but we showed in
patches that when we passed the football they struggled to get near
us. What we needed to do was show more confidence in our game and work
to impose that more.
For the final game we played Freddie in centre midfield. He was a
revelation and drew admiring comments from some of the spectators. He
started to mix it more with the KS midfielders with his physical
presence giving them something different to worry about.
With Taylor and Jorge up front we looked more progressive and had
better options. We would struggle to stretch the play with pace but
both players have good skills on the ball. Jorge in particular looked
more up for it than he had done, after a rotten injury struck year
lets hope we see the best of him. He scored red our goal to put us 1-0
up finishing over the keepers head with the outside of his right foot
from just inside the area. We continued to push forward, linking with
Taylor and Jorge early but unable to get a second goal.
The sucker punch came with a KS goal to level the scores.
Overall we played well against a very good team. This was our first
outing of the season and we did not look too rusty. Missing some key
players meant that rotation and cover, particularly in defensive
positions, was difficult. Thanks to both Fergus and Charlie, coming in
like the cavalry to help us out. Both played well and settled into the
way of playing.
There were excellent performances from Will in goal, Freddie (possibly
our best player on the day) and George at the back. The debutants all
played well and settled into the team - we will need to adapt our play
a little this season to get the best out of all of them.
We should be confident as we move to the season opener this Sunday
against Rodborough. We will not face many teams as strong as KS and
with a few more games under our belts and the full squad available
would be a different prospect.
Monday, September 1, 2014
U15's League Opener V Rodborough (7th September 2014)
Our league campaign starts this coming Sunday with an away match to league new boys Rodborough Youth U15. The game will be played at the Community Hall, Butterow West, Rodborough, GL5 3TZ.
Based on Google maps it's around 13 miles and 30 minutes to get there.
Based on Google maps it's around 13 miles and 30 minutes to get there.
The squad for the game will be:
The current position regards availability confirmed is tracked here.
- Will F
- Lewis
- George G
- Freddie
- Dan G
- Jacob
- Sam
- Ben
- Luca
- Louis
- Ryan
- Taylor
- Jorge
- Finn
- Max
- Will T
The current position regards availability confirmed is tracked here.
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