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