GFA John Kennedy U16's County Cup
LRFC Cougars (2) v (5) Bitton AFC
A County Cup match with two teams from different regions and both top
of their respective leagues. It promised to be a good game and did not
disappoint.
The game kicked off with LRFC playing up the slope. Notorious slow
starters today was different. Alf, in particular, was enjoying freedom
down the right wing and put in a couple of really dangerous crosses
that just evaded the front players. The early signs were good for LRFC
with Bitton limited to long clearances towards their striker.
As the game progressed Bitton started to get a foothold and looked
dangerous and strong coming forwards. Will was called to action much
more than normal getting his hands to crosses and also playing the
sweeper-keeper. This was an Motm performance from Will who kept LRFC
in contention and made a stunning penalty save in the second half.
The game was being played at high tempo but remained 0-0. The deadlock
was broken by Bitton scoring with a nice finish from the inside right
channel. With the defence having been dragged across to the left he
was able to smash the finish past Will. This became 2-0 with a goal
from a header.
LRFC were more than participating in this game though and we're
creating chances from breaks without really threatening the keeper.
At half time and only 2-0 down they had to believe they were still in
the game. They were. Jorge took this to heart scoring a lovely goal to
make it 2-1. Having been put through into the box he slid his shot
around the on rushing keeper. As LRFC pressed forward for the
equaliser there were gaps in midfield that Bitton were able to
exploit. Will was called to action on more than one occasion making
some excellent brave saves of all types. Punching clear from crosses,
blocking shots and diving at feet.
In midfield Freddie and Ryan worked tirelessly to plug the gaps and
keep Bitton back but were being overwhelmed. The Bitton number 10 was
now finding lots of space and starting to control the game more and
more.
2-1 became 3-1 and then there was a Bitton penalty.
The penalty was well struck and going for the bottom corner to Wills
left. At full stretch he got both hands to it and palmed it away for a
corner. LRFC then defended the corner well but rode their luck with
Bitton hitting the crossbar. The score remained 3-1.
After sustained pressure there was a further goal with Bitton smashing
home a loose ball that neither team seemed to be able to get hold of.
LRFC then got a break, Luca raced into the box with the ball at his
feet. He jinked through a couple of challenges and was brought down.
The referee immediately pointed to the spot. Luca took it and hit it
into the top right corner, so much so that it hit the post and went
in. It doesn't matter who's in goal - those aren't saved.
4-2 with a few minutes remaining and some belief for LRFC. Luca had
his confidence restored, Alf was tearing it up the right again and
with Max (who had an excellent game) and Dan through the middle LRFC
looked threatening. A couple of chances were created that the
finishing touch just couldn't be applied to.
Once again Bitton broke and scored. The game would finish 5-2.
Bitton are clearly a very good side, they worked hard for each other
and showed excellent movement off the ball. The psychology of this
game is very interesting. LRFC started the stronger and created at
least 3 chances. If one or two of those go in its a different game as,
with neither team knowing each other, the perception would be
different. As it was LRFC's narrowly missing those gave Bitton the
encouragement to come back in to the game.
This was an excellent game of football that until the last 15 minutes
or so could have gone either way. LRFC gave everything in this game
and were unlucky. Chances were created and whereas early in the season
they were flying in the finishing touch is elusive at the moment.
Will was Motm but other performances of note were Alf, Freddie, Jacob
and Ben and Jorge. Scoring an excellent goal but also for defensive
work where at one point he chased a Bitton player all the way to the
LRFC byline to make the tackle.
With spirit like that and a return to league action next Sunday this
LRFC team will be back on track before you can shout "clean sheet?" at
a keeper.....
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Friday, January 29, 2016
GFA County Cup Quarter Finals
This Sunday, 31st January, we play Bitton AFC in the Quarter Finals of the John Kennedy GFA County Cup. Lucky for us this is a home match, at Naunton Park, with Bitton making the trip up from Bristol for the game.
Bitton AFC are currently top of their league, the Avon Youth League, on 30 points from 12 matches and a record of 10 wins and 2 defeats. They come into this quarter final on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Yate. What they would appear to have is goals! They have scored 83 goals in 15 league and cup games so far including two games where they have scored 9, one 8 and a 10 goal haul against Bristol Spartak. By contrast they have conceded 17.
We have a full squad for this game with Olly unavailable due to rugby...
- Will (Captain)
- Lewis
- Ben
- Dan G
- Sam
- Tom
- Adam
- Ryan
- Jacob
- Alf
- Freddie
- Jorge
- Max
- Tommy
- Dan A
- Luca
Lets learn from Sunday's draw against Saracens and make sure we give an excellent account of ourselves.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Profligacy costs Cougars
LRFC U16's (1) v (1) Cheltenham Saracens
LRFC were behind for much of this game only scoring the equalising
goal in the last 5 minutes or so. It could have been so different.
Saracens started the game well. Playing to down the slope they took
full advantage stretching LRFC with direct play at every opportunity.
At the back their defence held firm and was looking for the direct
ball out. LRFC struggled to get the tempo of this play and looked
susceptible.
That the opening goal came from this type of play was no surprise.
Saracens broke into the box bundling the ball from close range.
LRFC then started to play and come into the game more. While they
created chances they were far from clear and the Saracens keeper
didn't really have a save to make. Efforts were either off target or
at him with no real power to trouble him.
Having lined up in the customary 4-2-3-1, Will in goal, Dan G and Adam
at full back, Lewis and Ben at the heart of defence. In front of them
Freddie and Jacob. The attacking trio were Dan A, Alf and Luca, up
front Jorge. On the bench, Tom, Tommy, Sam and Max.
LRFC were finding space down the flanks but struggling to create
chances against an equally athletic defence. This is the first time
then neither LRFC winger has scored this season. Jorge was working
hard up front for little reward, limited to a couple of long shots
that, in the conditions, he couldn't really get hold of. Alf, playing
number 10 was dropping deeper and deeper to help the team get the ball
back.
After the initial exchanges LRFC made changes, Sam coming on for Dan G
at full-back and Tommy and Max coming on in advanced positions. The
ball was starting to stick up front as Saracens dropped deeper and
other players were being brought into the game. For the increasing
possession LRFC could not create a real goal scoring opportunity.
Tom came into midfield in the first half and set about being his
destructive best. He would later drop back to full back but then
succumb to a groin injury ending his days work.
At half time the game was at 0-1 but the team seemed relaxed believing
that second half, playing down hill, they would dominate and get the
result.
Saracens however continued to defend deep and stout. On the break they
always looked dangerous and LRFC had some hairy moments as Saracens
broke at pace and closed in on the goal. A combination of defending
and Will doing his best Lloris impressions charging off his line
keeping them out.
Up front the pattern of play was very similar. LRFC could not make
their possession and territorial advantage count. As the game ticked
on Saracens began to slow the game down, and appeal everything.
Initially intimidated by this LRFC started to do the same bringing the
game down in quality which is what Saracens wanted.
As the game ticked towards its conclusion LRFC went to three at the
back. A result was needed, it was important not to lose. The
equalising goal came from a moment of quality and was scored by,
probably, the only player on the pitch capable of scoring that goal.
LRFC had a free kick outside the box near the left touch line. Adam
took it sending it into the box. It was well defended with Saracens
getting a head to it. The ball fell to Luca who worked the space and
crossed for Tommy to put his header over the keeper and into the net.
A quality piece of play all round.
Equalising the game LRFC left it at a formation of 3-3-4 and pushed
for the winning goal. This made them more vulnerable at the back and
in the last few minutes the game could have gone either way with both
sides giving it everything.
There was one final piece of play that could have won the game. With
Saracens pushing deep into the LRFC half the ball was cleared long.
Luca, Dan, Max and Tommy all gave chase with Luca latching onto the
bouncing ball. His first touch was a header to push it into his path.
Under pressure from the defender he let fly only to see his shot fly
agonisingly past the upright.
That was it the game played out and ended 1-1.
It was important that LRFC came back into the game and worked to get
the draw. While the team was down after this result they maintain the
position atop the league although now with a single point advantage.
The league is still in their hands.
Ben was Motm run close with Lewis. Mopping up at the back and keeping
focus when under pressure from the direct and pacy Saracens front line
his reading of the game and intercepting was excellent. In possession
he never puts a foot roaring and today was no exception. On a day
where goals were hard to come by solidity at the back was very
important.
LRFC were behind for much of this game only scoring the equalising
goal in the last 5 minutes or so. It could have been so different.
Saracens started the game well. Playing to down the slope they took
full advantage stretching LRFC with direct play at every opportunity.
At the back their defence held firm and was looking for the direct
ball out. LRFC struggled to get the tempo of this play and looked
susceptible.
That the opening goal came from this type of play was no surprise.
Saracens broke into the box bundling the ball from close range.
LRFC then started to play and come into the game more. While they
created chances they were far from clear and the Saracens keeper
didn't really have a save to make. Efforts were either off target or
at him with no real power to trouble him.
Having lined up in the customary 4-2-3-1, Will in goal, Dan G and Adam
at full back, Lewis and Ben at the heart of defence. In front of them
Freddie and Jacob. The attacking trio were Dan A, Alf and Luca, up
front Jorge. On the bench, Tom, Tommy, Sam and Max.
LRFC were finding space down the flanks but struggling to create
chances against an equally athletic defence. This is the first time
then neither LRFC winger has scored this season. Jorge was working
hard up front for little reward, limited to a couple of long shots
that, in the conditions, he couldn't really get hold of. Alf, playing
number 10 was dropping deeper and deeper to help the team get the ball
back.
After the initial exchanges LRFC made changes, Sam coming on for Dan G
at full-back and Tommy and Max coming on in advanced positions. The
ball was starting to stick up front as Saracens dropped deeper and
other players were being brought into the game. For the increasing
possession LRFC could not create a real goal scoring opportunity.
Tom came into midfield in the first half and set about being his
destructive best. He would later drop back to full back but then
succumb to a groin injury ending his days work.
At half time the game was at 0-1 but the team seemed relaxed believing
that second half, playing down hill, they would dominate and get the
result.
Saracens however continued to defend deep and stout. On the break they
always looked dangerous and LRFC had some hairy moments as Saracens
broke at pace and closed in on the goal. A combination of defending
and Will doing his best Lloris impressions charging off his line
keeping them out.
Up front the pattern of play was very similar. LRFC could not make
their possession and territorial advantage count. As the game ticked
on Saracens began to slow the game down, and appeal everything.
Initially intimidated by this LRFC started to do the same bringing the
game down in quality which is what Saracens wanted.
As the game ticked towards its conclusion LRFC went to three at the
back. A result was needed, it was important not to lose. The
equalising goal came from a moment of quality and was scored by,
probably, the only player on the pitch capable of scoring that goal.
LRFC had a free kick outside the box near the left touch line. Adam
took it sending it into the box. It was well defended with Saracens
getting a head to it. The ball fell to Luca who worked the space and
crossed for Tommy to put his header over the keeper and into the net.
A quality piece of play all round.
Equalising the game LRFC left it at a formation of 3-3-4 and pushed
for the winning goal. This made them more vulnerable at the back and
in the last few minutes the game could have gone either way with both
sides giving it everything.
There was one final piece of play that could have won the game. With
Saracens pushing deep into the LRFC half the ball was cleared long.
Luca, Dan, Max and Tommy all gave chase with Luca latching onto the
bouncing ball. His first touch was a header to push it into his path.
Under pressure from the defender he let fly only to see his shot fly
agonisingly past the upright.
That was it the game played out and ended 1-1.
It was important that LRFC came back into the game and worked to get
the draw. While the team was down after this result they maintain the
position atop the league although now with a single point advantage.
The league is still in their hands.
Ben was Motm run close with Lewis. Mopping up at the back and keeping
focus when under pressure from the direct and pacy Saracens front line
his reading of the game and intercepting was excellent. In possession
he never puts a foot roaring and today was no exception. On a day
where goals were hard to come by solidity at the back was very
important.
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