THE GIRLZ ARE BACK...

More of them.

More determined.

And definitely louder.

This year, with a new, improved formula:

Passing!

Yes, a morning of non-stop footie against Bishop Road kicked off the Formidable Year 5s season, and it looks like a good one.

Two new recruits already, drum roll please...........

A Big Foxy Welcome to Ella Clarke! (applause)

Go Wild for Emily Burbidge!

That makes well over 20 on the foxy roll of honour - well done girls.

Two teams took on the Bishop Rd Buccaneers.

With new coach Jo “another lap of the pitch” Davis were Marielle, Phoebe, Sophie HR, Anna D, Izzy, Bryony, Abby and Megan. In their first game they did everything more right than a right thing, but never quite found the net. Easily the best passing this coach has seen saw several moves worked all the way from defence to striker, with consistent looking up and picking out partners. Top work girls. Marielle and Izzy were, as ever, solid in goal with some brave saves and massive clearances.

Under the watchful eyes of Sally “silky skills” Wistow were Erin, Tia, Ella W, Ella T Molly H, Emily B, Sophie C, Emily C and Sacha. Again, some fine goalkeeping from Erin and Tia kept the Buccaneers at bay, and Molly H, Sophie and Ella W were dogged and determined up front. Tia invented a whole new cunning move, forever now known as The Tia Tackle. Basically, you suss out the opposition’s names, call out “Megan” convincingly, and they then pass to you. Saves all that messy going after the ball, getting your boot stuck in etc. Nice one Tia!

Without our two top scorers, Sophie M and Emily T, we struggled to find the goals, but maybe learnt more as a result. Full marks for determination and enthusiasm, as ever, and just a bit more belief will bring some victories.

Player of the week?

For massive improvement, for huge courage in her first ever game, and for a right boot unmatched for power we salute:

Emily “Cannonball” Burbidge!

Yr 5 Boys v Sefton Park

A new season. A new age group. But the same old Downs with a reassuringly familiar north/north-westerly to make the Foxes feel at home, playing two and winning two.

The squad was a little short of numbers due to the enforced attendance for 5 boys at a secret boot-camp but we were still able to field two equal strength teams of 8 a-side.

Team one (Alec - welcome back Alec - Archie, Sonny, Max, Ollie K, Seb, Sam L and Ollie C) took a little while to remember to keep their shape and support each other. However things settled down with Sonny slotting the first goal after good work from Sam. Sefton Park kept pressing but another goal from Sonny and two excellent finishes from Max saw us home 4-0.

Player of the week - Max.

Team two (Joey, Owen, Jack T, Jack C, Ian, Raul, Jacob and Nick) has already warmed up against the year 4s and so played with more structure from the start. Joey, who was everywhere, scored one goal and Raul deserved his two. There were impressive performances from Jack T and Ian, on his Foxes debut, at the back. 3-0 was a comfortable margin and it could have been more, particularly if we could have got a head on any one of our impressive corners.

Player of the week - Jack C.

Well played everyone and thanks to the year four Foxes for giving both sides a game and Team One a very real scare.

NEW (school) YEAR STARTS HERE

It hardly seems possible that the summer hols have finished - but yes, we're back and raring to go for the new season.

There's not much to say, except a big THANK YOU for everyone's support last year, a great End of Season finale and a crackin' party at Goldbrick House.

Cheers m'dears!

Last year's Y6s will be sadly missed - but suffice to say we will be expecting the former Y6 parents to keep turning up at the Christmas and end of year bashes.

Good luck to the Y7s joining the newly formed Bishopston United.

That's it - see you on the Downs.