Sunday 9th December
LRFC Cougars (2) V (2) GVR
Naunton Park
What a difference a week makes. Following last week's drubbing at the hands of Hucclecote we needed to show more strength in possession and to defend more as a team from front to back. The team was set up in a 4-4-1-1 formation. With Will in goal and captaining the side the back four (right to left) Sam, Paddy, Willbo and Harvey. Across the midfield Daniel H, Freddie, Jacob and Luca. Max P was at the tip of the diamond with Louis ploughing a lone furrow up front. On the bench Dan G.
From the kick-off GVR started to apply pressure. While we kept our lines clear we struggled to get the final break we needed in possession. The opening goal came early witha long run by the striker, with HPA in pursuit he slotted past Will in goal to put them 1-0 up. We never let our heads drop though and to the lads credit they kept playing the same way. Passing the ball and looking to use the pace of our wide men. Dan H on the right and Luca on the left. With Louis and Max P hassling in the middle and showing composure in possession this is a formation that, today, really worked for us. The equalising goal came from a through ball into the right of midfield, Dan H chasing and outpacing the GVR defence to lash the ball past the keeper with no chance. 1-1.
We got our tails up then and with Paddy in inspired form looked solid in defence. Willbo and Paddy formed a very solid partnership at centre back and with Sam and HPA showing touch and energy in the full-back positions we were always able to recover even when GVR were able to stretch the play. At one point Paddy was bursting forward from full back and playing the ball through with such poise that Hodgin senior remarked that he was like Baresi - Hodgin junior would later comment that Paddy had played like Thiaggo - i'm not sure if that was Mottha or Silva though.
We lost Freddie very early in the first half with asthma getting the better of him, Dan G was thrust into action in the centre of midfield and he stuck to his task very well. With Jacob ever-perpetual in his motion and Max P playing with great energy we were playing through GVR and only some great last ditch defending keeping us at bay. Using the width of the pitch and the pace of our wide midfielders was working time and again. Louis was linking play very well and using his touch and vision to great effect (that's why he was playing there - this doesn't happen by accident you know!) threading balls to both wings and was unlucky not to score himself with some great shots late on.
William, in goal, kept us in the match to pull off an amazing save, flyinh to his left to keep a goal bound shot out. The GVR fans could be heard cheering they were so sure it was a goal only for it to be pushed wide. This game showed the harshness of being a keeper with Will making a fantsatic save in the first half and many catches and great play only to be caught out late in the second half.
1-1 at half time with the Cougars in the ascendency. The instruction at half time was simple - more of the same. Keep working hard and playing for each other.
The second half kicked off and the Cougars were able to maintain the pressure from the first half keeping the GVR team in their own half and limiting them to chasing long clearances. Paddy was still dominant in the middle of the pitch - his athleticism seemingly knowing no bounds. Our second goal was very similar to our first. A ball threaded through from the midfield saw Luca give chase, out pace two defenders and finish beyond the keeper. 2-1 up and just what we deserved for our play.
Play resumed with the pattern very similar, lots of Cougars pressure without really getting a clean strike on goal. Meanwhile GVR continued to try and catch us on the break.
The equalising goal was a harsh one to concede. A long shot that was on target spinning in the air and as Will leapt to take it it spun off his gloves and into the net. A crazy goal and a real shame for the keeper who, once again, had been out-standing.
This really showed the role of confidence. GVR from being a team defending deep were now flying at us. By contrast the lads heads were not down but there was a tension and nervousness that had not been in evidence before. Defending deeper and with Will being called into action more and more there were longs shots peppering his goal. There was a final piece of action with Willbo showing fantastic tenacity to keep a goal bound effort out at the near post. With the GVR striker bearing down Will, in goal, forced him wide of the goal. Willbo covering in behind got his head on the goal bound effort in a last ditch defensive effort.
The final whistle came with the game 2-2. On reflection a fair result based on chances.
This was an excellent performance - GVR are a decent team and were always threatening. We played football and passed the ball, we kept possession and defended valiantly. When we had to be agricultural we were and when there was an option to pass we took it. HPA excellend again at left back and we now have some serious competion at the back with neither George or Jordan playing today. No-ones position is safe!
In midfield we have one of the out-standing midfielders in this division with Jacob quietly going about his business tackling evrry thing that moves. With Freddie beside him they formed a strong partnership. On the wings we have pace to burn with Dan and Luca being flying machines of the highest order. Add t that the guile and technique that Max and Louis offer and that's a great team.
Paddy was MotM today - we have not seen him in the team for a few weeks and today he strode in like he owned the place and dominated the game from the back. Breaking forward to great effect and playing some lovely through balls. The value of a defender that can bring the ball out is often talked about and he did that today. HPA, again, ran him close today. Considering he was unwell this week he had a stormer today and, as much as he doesn't like to admit it, looks really strong at left back. This could be another player that joined us as a striker only to end up being a defender (Jordan and Freddie falling a similair fate!)
Above all else the that was a team performance today. The lads were shattered at the end - a good afternoon's work and a result that should give us confidence as we look to the new year fixtures.
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Thanks to Eric for a very even-handed refereeing performance in the first half.
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