Year Four Boys vs Golden Hill Sonics

We were spared the lashing rain, but strong winds buffeted the Y4 Foxes as they took on Golden Hill Sonics on the Downs. With two strong squads of 10, everyone played their part over four games in which they were unbeaten. The teams were evenly matched, and the games could have gone either way, but the Foxes emerged with three wins and a draw.

Dave T's squad had a strong looking line-up, but in shades of England-San Marino 1993(ask your dads to ask their dads about it) the Sonics caught them not just napping, but snoring with the duvet over their heads - bursting through from the kick-off to score after a few seconds. Playing into the wind slowly we managed to get a grip on the game against a well organized GHS sideand we were unlucky not to score with Raul just missing after a great run but we were also thankful for some great tackling from Aidan and Nick and some brave keeping from Owen. In the second half a hard working midfield display from Joey and Alec meant that we enjoyed the best of the play. Harri TD held the ball up brilliantly then laid a killer pass through to Joey, who skipped free of a series of ankle-biting challenges to level the scores. The Foxes then pounded the Sonics' goal, assisted by the wind, until in the final minute, Sonny returned a misplaced goalie kick out 'with interest', half-volleying into the net to clinch the game 2-1.

In their second game, coach Dave claimed that they "bossed" it, after once again coming snoring out of the blocks (the coach needs to work on his pre-match talks) and conceding an early goal. Once more we were playing into the wind and again we worked hard and gained control of the game. Some great defending from Jack T and a fine save by Harry F allowed our attacking players to go forward and after winning a succession of corners Harri TD delivered one of the best Foxy corners ever, looping over the near post defenders to then be coolly slotted away by Joey. 1-1 at half-time but in the second half we switched off for a moment and lost another goal before we had the best of the play and goals from Joey sand Sonny secured a 3-2 victory.

Special mentions in this squad, in addition to the goal scorers and creators, for superb tackling and all round effort from Aidan and Jack T.

Graham's squad enjoyed a comfortable opener, combining well as a squad and team to come out 2-0 winners, with goals from the deadly duo Omar and Danny.

Their second game proved more challenging. After falling behind to an early Sonics strike, they gradually played themselves into the game, passing and keeping possession for long spells before levelling through Danny before the break. The spirited Sonics then took the lead in the second half through an excellent pair of defence-splitting passes the length of the field. As the Foxes huffed and puffed and battered the Sonics goal, with chance after chance going begging (including a spectacular double save from consecutive efforts from Danny and Ollie K), it was finally left to the one they call "big Archie" to let fly, downwind, and burst the onion bag with the equaliser. It finished 2-2, a fair result and justly deserved over the four games for a sporting and competitive Sonics squad.
Special mentions for great all round displays from Jack C and Ollie C.

Thanks to all who played and helped, including Joey's dad as a stand-in referee. We look forward to the return fixture at Golden Hill later in the season."