Y3 No training or match Sat 3rd April

All the Y3 coaches are unavailable on Saturday 3rd April so there will be no training or match.

Yr 4 Boys End On A Winning Note

So that's the last of the friendly league fixtures for this season - and what a good season it has been for the Foxes. The year fours have been impressive throughout and ended on a high by capturing two wins from two games away against Clifton Utd.

The first game saw a comfortable 3-1 win with goals from Danny, Raul and Nick, finishing off a great passing move with a precision shot. Good performances all round with Aidan and Ollie C tying up Clifton's attacks, Archie and Nick rampaging forward, Ollie K snuffing out any threat in midfield, Danny his usual busy self and Raul leading the line very effectively.

The second game was a more comfortable victory with Sonny (6) Harri and Joey scoring in an 8-0 win. Again The Foxes passed and moved well but still paid attention to defending when Clifton won possession. Highlights included a penalty save by Danny, Owen and Sebastian organising the defence, Joey as skillful and committed as ever, Max a threat on the right and Jack weaving magic on the left.

Well played everyone. Now it's Tournament season.....

Year 6 boys continue winning ways at Clifton

Despite missing a number of key players the Foxes turned in an excellent team performance to win at Clifton. There were many stand-out players in the squad: at the back Adam and Kris were maginificent. Adam is now turning out consistently strong defensive games whenever he plays and he is a great battler with good positional sense and Kris was a rock at the back reading the game brilliantly. Tom W excelled in goal and again his positional sense is the best in the squad often cutting out dangerous moves with one deft touch. Oliver W and Eddie produced great passing moves. Gabe scored two - one a great header - and Jack made his first touch count in his one chance which he converted superbly. Oliver B played well in midfield and Oliver D turned on the style as his dad was watching! Finally James was a star: determined, pacey and always competitive. The results went our way and deservedly so. Two frustrating draws (1-1, Gabe scoring and the Foxes conceding a late but excellent Clifton goal, and 0-0, where really a win would have been a fair result) were followed by an excellent 2-0 victory with Jack and Gabe on the score sheet.

The comedy award went to Adam for his Run-Away Haynes moment in front of goal - pure comic genius - and star player this week was Kris.

Paul and Andy were again delighted with the passing moves, the great defensive play and spirit of the whole team. With the Thornbury tournament approaching in May we are confident of a good showing if we can keep this up. Well done to everyone!

Year 4s v Golden Hill Sonics, Saturday 13th March

Bathed in glorious sunshine the Foxes won 3 and lost 1.

The Sonics, like our previous 2 opponents, seemed to pick 'A' and 'B' squads while we mixed things up in an attempt to field two even sides.

Ewan's team [Max, Aidan, Sonny, Omar, Sam L, Ollie K, Archie, Raul] started well in their game against Sonics 'B' winning 7-0, and perhaps should have scored more. A hat trick for Raul, 2 for Sam Lawes and one each for Omar and Sonny accounted for the goals. The Foxes passed and moved it very well (especially between the midfield and front players) and Ollie K snuffed out most of their attacks.

The second game against the stronger Sonics was a much closer affair, which we won 3-1 with the goals coming from an own goal following an excellent corner whipped in by Sam L, Omar scoring after another corner caused chaos in the opposition box, and then a goal which deserves a proper description: only Archie, who was everywhere throughout that game and man of the match, can honestly say whether his blast from 20yards out was a pass or a shot (I'm sure he will claim a pass however), but in any event Omar hit it first time on the volley from 10 yards out and it flew into the top corner. The Sonics then rallied a bit, got a goal backed and pressed for more, but Ollie K kept them out (in a strong outing in goal) and we were able to keep the ball and get it forward enough to see out the game quite comfortably.

Graham's team (Owen, Seb, Jack T, Joey, Jack C, Danny and Ollie C and Nick) did everything they needed to and more in the first half against Sonic's 'A' before throwing it all away. Nick really sparkled on the left wing and we went 3 up with goals from Danny, Joey and Jack C. However, and perhaps not for the first time this season, the boys edged from 'confident' to 'over confident' in the second half and the Sonics started to break well while all the Foxes were desperate to score. The only person to get back and help was Joey who ran himself into the ground but he could not stop us conceding 4 second half goals.

In Game 2, and aware of the likely reaction of the club's chairman to the first result, Graham gave the team a strong pre-match talking-to. This seemed to work and they managed to concentrate for the whole game, winning 5-1 with goals from Danny (2), Joey (2) and Nick.

Player of the week - Nick, with an honourable mention to Ollie C for a strong showing on the right wing.

Sport Relief Mile

Well done and thank you everyone who took part in the Westbury Park Foxes does the Sport Relief Mile Challenge on Saturday.

Together we raised £378.88. All the money will go to Sport Relief.

And thank you those who supped at Holly Ogborne's Temporary Tea Bar. She raised about £40 for the NSPCC.

Many thanks to you all.

Y3 versus Golden Hill Sonics Saturday 13th March Report #2

What a day for football! The sun was shining, the temperature was above freezing for a change and 18 eager foxes turned up, keen to play against the mighty sonics....

Team: Rohan, Josh, Stanley, Matthew, Jack, William W, Eddie, Caston, Ludo, TJ

Two great games played in a fine spirit. 1st game was a game of 2 halves. Tj started the scoring with a beautifully taken goal after great approach play from Caston. The sonics soon hit back with some skillful passing that found a way through the foxes tenacious defence. The second half saw the sonics better organised and they managed to pierce the foxes defence, this in despite of some incisive defending from William and great goalkeeping from Rohan. A couple more goals followed in quick succession through the Sonics well organised attacking line up. The foxes managed to get one back with the final kick of the game.. an exquisite free kick from the left by Ludo that looped into the top right hand corner. final score 2-4 to the sonics.

2nd game. The valiant foxes didn't let their heads drop for a moment following the result of the first and they set about probing and attacking the sonics defensive lines. Josh was unlucky to see a well struck shot rebound off the post. TJ worked tirelessly alongside Caston in midfield, sticking close to the sonics danger players. Eddie was his usual dependable defensive self repelling anything the sonics could throw at the foxes. Stanley troubled the sonics down the wing. Rohan and William maintaining order and calm in the midfield. Jack had a fine game in goal with some brave shot stopping. Matthew held his defensive line well and cleared many troublesome balls.

A sonics goal was soon cancelled out by a great stroke from Stanley. and the deadlock was almost broken at the end of the game with some clever play from Josh on the byline as he managed to thread a neat ball to ludo who shaved the crossbar with a great shot. So end of game honours even but a wonderful display from every single one of the foxes players who played so well as a team and were a real credit to
the foxes name.

Man of the match. Caston. A tireless display, a great example of what man to man marking can achieve in preventing counter attacks and bravery following a ball to the face!! well done!

Y3 versus Golden Hill Sonics Saturday 13th March

The beautiful game on a beautiful Saturday morning against two very good Golden HillSonics' teams. Too good by half from the kick-off: our initial timidity in defense gave time and space to the sonics' forwards and they scored three (count 'em) early goals. But the foxes were not to be demoralised and soon regrouped, gaining a goal courtesy of Henry's ever powerful right foot. Unfortunately half-time substitutions and a controversial rotation policy didn't help to settle our defence (blame the coach) and we conceded three (count 'em again more goals. Again the Foxes fought back, Ewan and Sammy H battling hard in midfield, and excellent goalkeeping from William L-P, keeping the skillful Sonics at bay. It wasn't long before Harrison, working tirelessly between defence and attack, fed Joseph whose confident strike restored some pride to a scoreline which probably exaggerated the difference between the two teams, even if the result was fair. Final score 6-2.

The second match was a different story. Gone were the defensive frailties and the "Total Football" Foxes came to life. It would be only a minor exaggeration to say the ball rarely left the sonic's half. Billy's trademark calmness and control in a defensive midfield role, Harrison's tactical awareness and Brody's tenacity tracking back typified the performance. Ok, so the sonics scored first, a result of our hesitancy to clear the ball (the Foxes Achilles' Heel?) in the face of a concerted attack by the Golden Hillers. But the response was unequivocal - an equally concerted counter-attack confidently finished by Joseph. The Foxes continued to repel the Sonics' attacks, pouring forward every time and came close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions, including a spectacular long-range "William L-P Special" free-kick bouncing off the post. The Foxes confidence grew and the second half began with another even more stunning long-range effort ricocheting off the crossbar, this time courtesy of Sammy H. Fortunately Harrison, again running all the way from defense, was in the right place at the right time to hammer it into the roof of the net. A Foxes classic came next with an excellent tackle and dribble by Billy feeding Harrison on the left wing who in turn passed to Joseph. After beating two defenders he made no mistake with his shot. The Sonics tried to mount a comeback but even their impressive individual skill and excellent teamwork struggled against Teya and Ewan, solid in defense, and Henry, yet again showing his versatility as goalkeeper. Inevitably, the Sonics' pressure yielded a goal, albeit a controversial one (with some Foxes unconvinced the WHOLE of the ball crossed the WHOLE of the line) but rather than argue with the ref the response was another goal courtesy of, well, pretty much the whole team, but finished by Joseph, completing his first hatrick (count 'em) in a competitive match. Final score of 4-2 to the Foxes.

Team: Teya, Brody, William L-P, Joseph, Billy, Sammy, Harrison, Ewan, Henry

Man of the match for a great defensive, midfield AND attacking performance: Harrison

Year 4s V Ashley Down, 6th March

The games having been coming thick and fast and your correspondent has slipped behind in writing the match reports. The chairman has had a quiet word and things will improve. Or else.

The Downs seemed to be covered in Foxy year fours as the girls fielded two squads to play Bishop Road and the boys did the same to face Ashley Down. Two squads, four games, four wins. Happy days.

Ashley Down seemed to split into 'A' and 'B' teams and the results reflected that split.

Ewan and Dave T's squad dominated possession in their first game and then gradually began to create chances through good interplay and passing. Eventually the deadlock was broken by a crisp 4 pass move from the back which saw Jack C finish off at close range. A second was added by a similar move moments later, this time with Omar finishing off. In the second half Ashley Down rallied and began to play some good stuff scoring from a well taken free kick and the final 5 minutes were close fought and intense. The Foxes created more chances, kept the ball well and just about deserved to win 2-1.

The second game came to life with Joey's spectacular early strike which was then cancelled out by a breakaway goal by the visitors, finished off in style. After that the Foxes raised their game and in the end, with 2 each for Joey, Omar, and Jack and one for Harri TD, ran out comfortable 7-1 winners. Highlights were a very solid debut in goal for Max, a very robust and committed performance all over the pitch from Harri, and a typically composed and skillful display in defence and elsewhere from Sebastian. But player of the week for this squad for his quick and incisive attacking, passing and linking play was Jack C.

Graham and Andy's squad played Ashely Down 'B' first up and ran out comfortable 7-0winners. Highlights included a hatrick from Danny (none of which were scored from further out than a metre and one was a header that was almost on - or was it already over? - the goaline), two from Sonny and one each from Archie and Ollie K (a fabulous first time screamer from the halfway line). The team started well and then lost a bit of concentration as the game wore on and probably should have made more of it dominance.

The second game was much, much closer with Ashley Down playing competitive, good quality football and the Foxes getting stronger as the game went on. Goals from Sam L and Sonny secured a 2-1 win but credit must also go to strong defence from Aidan, Jack T and Nick and all round good movement and passing. Player of the week was Aidan for an impressive display.

Great Foxes performance leaves coaches purring in delight

The year 6 boys continued their impressive form since Christmas with a fantastic display against Golden Hill Sonics despite being deprived of the services of Kris, Ben and Jamie. But the rest of the squad stepped up to the mark with three matches against a strong Sonics squad.

The first game ended 3-3 with the Foxes scoring through Gabe, Lukha and Oliver W. Gabe's sublime cross shot was a great strike, Lukha was in the right place at the right time to slot in at the far post and Oliver hit a 20 hard screamer on the volley leaving the keeper no chance. A great and competitive match enjoyed by everyone. The second game saw the Foxes in a 0-1 reverse, and unluckily so, having conceded a breakaway goal and being unable to convert any of the chances they created.

But like last week the Foxes left the best until last and played a sublime 15 minutes which left Paul and Andy standing in admiration on the sidelines. The match even included two set piece goals which we had worked on in training. How good does that makes us feel?! The Sonics took the lead with a breakaway and cross shot that somehow sneaked in at the near post. But Gabe levelled soon after, racing onto a superb pass from Eddie to hit the target. 1-1 at half time. In the second half Jack unexpectedly found himself with the ball after a defensive slip-up: he still had a lot to do but he punished the error by shooting in coolly. Then Gabe returned to the fray under strict instructions to finish the game off for us. We will issue those instructions again as he skipped past three defenders with his first touch and shot a lovely curling (and left foot!) shot into the far corner. Next up it was Eddie attacking a near post corner straight off our training pitch. Great delivery from Gabe, fantastic header from Eddie. 4-1. Now it was Foxes, Foxes all the way. James H made a brilliant tackle to thwart a Sonics attack, turned, found Eddie who raced into space before delivering a pin-point pass to Gabe who fired in a great hat-trick. Surely there was no time for more. Well, there was. Another corner. Another great delivery from Gabe, another outstanding header from Eddie and we had a sixth. Final score 6-1 in a breathless and brilliant display.

Lukha picked up star player for playing out of his skin but there were great performances all over the pitch. Comedy award went to Oliver B (a big welcome Oliver to the Foxes at last!) for his general fun attitude. But well done to all the squad - Tom , Danny, Oliver B, Oliver D, Oliver W, Gabe, Eddie, Jack, Lukha, Adam, James and Harvey. Paul and Andy were proud of you!

Free scoring Foxes take the spoils against Ashley Down

As we set the goals up on Saturday the sun was shining on the Downs. There was a freshness to the air which made it perfect for football and the year 6 boys responded fantastically. We played two matches against Ashley Down and won both. Playing 9-a-side on a tight pitch it was difficult to break down a spirited Ashley Down defence and it took until nearly half-time in the first match before the Foxes scored with Ben turning in a great cross from Jamie at the far post. The first goal quickly led to two more: Danny crashing in a great finish from a set piece and Jamie turning in a third from close range. 3-0 at half time and there was more to come in the second half. Ben began by neatly clipping the ball past the goalie before Jamie shot in two more to complete his hat-trick. 6-0 it finished.

In the second match the first half was hotly contested and although the Foxes created some great chances they couldn't find the net and Ashley Down threatened with two breakaways. But it was scoreless at half time before the Foxes really turned on some fabulous attacking play to score no less than seven in the second half. Four goals from Eddie (including a great left foot strike for his hat-trick) and a goal each from Jamie, Gabe and Jack completed the scoring. 7-0 the final score.

Jamie picked up the comedy award for his extraordinary corner kick technique which involved kicking his ankle instead of the ball falling flat on his back in agony and pushing the ball 10 inches over the goal-line for a goal kick with his knee. You had to be there! Harvey won player of the week with an inspirational display in defence.

But the whole squad played brilliantly. Well done to Tom, Kris, Harvey, Adam, Sam, Oliver D, Gabe, Danny, Ben, Eddie, Jack, Lukha, Aydin and Jamie.

Bishops OutFoxed by Queens of the Downs

WP Foxes Y4 Girls : 9 - 2 Bishop Road Girls

"So Tia, where do you want to play today?"
"Everywhere."

Not the most advanced understanding of team positions and territory football, maybe, but - as it turned out - a perfect description of a frenetic morning's action!

15 Foxettes turned out on the first decent Saturday of 2010 to face two 6-a-side teams from our friends at Bishop Road. And they played their little green socks off.

No passengers, great enthusiasm as ever, resolute tackling and even some deliberate passing was spotted. That scoreline came from 4 mini-matches, of which the Foxes won 3 and lost one (3-0, 4-0, 1-0 and 0-1), and one mad mega match which we drew 1-1, despite being, by this stage, outnumbered 11-8. Yes, hilarious numbers!

Let's start with the impressive bit of that total score.
The 2 goals conceded. In five matches. Superb defending.

Emily Cowell played the morning of her life, keeping a totally clean sheet for the 2 matches proper. "Calm, confident, solid" as Coach Jo described it. And in the mayhem maxi-match, some fantastic saves against waves of Bishops, including one spectacular series of on-the-line clearances.
In front of her Emily had some lovely defending by Phoebe and Ella T, who Coach Jo described as "unrecognisable from a few months ago". Bishops so much as looked at our goal and Phoebe would come slicing out, removing the ball with surgical precision. And Ella - you're so much stronger now you believe in yourself.

The other team had Isobel and Marielle in goal, and once again some lovely keeping. Isobel's "cannonball clearances" are now famed in North Bristol girls footie. They usually land in the other team's half, where Anna D picks them up and pops them helpfully in the net. She was helped by superb defending by Anna R, who has now mastered clever passing so our defences turn into attacks, Marielle and Megan. I counted two serious Bishop attacks that were thwarted by a brave interception from Megan. Go for it girl, you can do this!

In midfield, Tia harried and ran her legs off and really should have gone amongst the scorers, but her passes made at least one goal, if not two. Molly R, Sophie and Sasha have really got the hang of this "stop the ball, look around, kick it to someone in the same shirt as you" thing. Extraordinary.

Ok, you can keep em out at back. But someone has to put it in the other net. Step forward Emily T and Sophie M. I'll give the best on this from the Bishop coach, Dan. "You have some serious finishers there, Dave, those two really don't mess around."
What's more, they have now been passing - and on the move, and fast. Emily took one goal all the way from our own lines, and Sophie scored a scorcher in the massive 11-8 battle. How she got through all those bodies I will never know.

In the other team, some new scorers. Anna R, who usually provides the bungee at the back - bouncing all hostile attacks back up the other end - tried her hand in attack. A great goal, nicely taken, was her reward. Anna D took a second - you almost felt sorry for the Bishops under her relentless pounding. And as the final whistle blew, Sophie HR scorched her name on the Foxy honour roll with an unstoppable high kick into the goalie's top left hand corner. "Well I thought she'd probably be right-footed, so I went the other way."

If only England had such cool calculators.

Girls of the Game? Really hard to pick, but despite Emily T and Sophie M's mega scoring, it has to be Emily Cowell on her team for brilliant goalkeeping. And on the other side, despite epic keeping from Isobel and Marielle, her first foxy goal has to mean Girl of the Game goes to Sophie HR.

Well played girls - all 15 of you. Especially the defenders.

Y3 versus Ashley Down (Away) Sat March 6th

Westbury Park Foxes Y3 played Ashley Down away. Two very entertaining games on a very good slightly sloping pitch. In the first half Josh opened the scoring for WPF with a fine shot rifled into the top of the net. It was soon followed by Josh's second. The two goal lead gave WPF the confidence to attack and we finished the first half looking to extend the lead further. Ashley Down scored early in the second half but Ludo restored the two goal advantage soon afterwards. In the final quarter of the second half Ewan rounded off a fine move with a vicious shot that the keeper struggled to prevent rolling over the goal line. Congratulations to Ewan for his first competitive goal for the Foxes. Thank you to Caston and William W for their goal keeping, and to Joseph and Eddy for their commanding performances. Man of the Match was Ewan to celebrate his first goal for the Foxes.

Team : Josh, Stanley, William W, Ewan, Ludo, Eddy, Joseph, Caston, Harrison

The second match seemed to follow a similar storyline to the first match except we couldn't turn the superior possession into goals despite camping in Ashley Down's half. It looked as if it would be a frustrating match but Henry broke the deadlock. WPF's second came from a viscous cross which was deflected by Ashley Down into their own goal. Matthew and Brody played well in defence and didn't really look like conceding a goal. TJ worked hard in mid field and was always looking like scoring. Jago made it three followed by a late consolation goal for Ashley Down. Thank you to Jack for keeping goal. Man of the Match was TJ for his concentration and commitment during the whole match.

Team : Jago, Isaac, Sam, Brody, TJ, Jack, Matthew, Calib, Henry,Billy