THORNBURY FALCONS ROUTED BY Y5 FOXES!

A sunny day on the Downs.

Another massive turnout from Y4 and Y5 girls.

And FOURTEEN GOALS FOR THE FOXES!

Two teams took on the Thornbury falcons, a strong team who have beaten us in the past.

And let's not beat around the bush, everyone played their green and white socks off. Several girls even played their boots off. There wasn't a passenger on the pitch, and the scoreline tells it all.

With Jo "its not that I'm competitive but I WANT TO WIN" Davis were Marielle, Sophie HR & Molly H in defence, Phoebe, Emily T and Anna D in midfield, Sophie M up front. This was a game where pressure told. Every Thornbury attack was neatly tackled at the back, and - what's this? - passed calmly up to the midfield where - blow me down! - shots were fired at the Thornbury goal. Their goalie was actually very good, and loads were saved.

You'd have thought our defence might have got bored, but actually they were busy too. Molly H had to come off with a brave injury, giving ELLA CLARKE her first ever taste of Foxy Action. She rose to the challenge, making some vital blocks and tackles. Sophie HR has really got the hang of reading the attacks, intercepting and feeding the hungry foxes in midfield.

After half time, Emily C and Anna R had a go, and frankly we might as well have built a brick wall across the foxy goalmouth. Never forget, the impressive part of this 9-0 ( oh yes) victory is the NIL bit.

Phoebe, Emily T, Anna D and Sophie M were everywhere. Several times I counted our players, it seemed like we had more than them! But no. And when Molly H came back from injury, she harried and ran amok too.

So to the well deserved score-sheet. 

GOALS TO MOLLY H, SOPHIE M, EMILY T and a Hatrick to Anna D ( well, 4 in fact!)

Sally Silky Skills started with Emily B in goal, Abby and Molly R in defence, Tia, Megan and Ella W in midfield and Sophie C up front. Now these Foxy Stars have been seriously improving, but have struggled to find the killer kicks that actually score goals. 

I have one thing to report:

5-2. Yes, that's FIVE GOALS TO US and 2 to them.

Again, a fast exciting game with plenty of action, which the Foxes deserved to win. At the back, Emily B had her first taste of goalie action, and made some great saves. Molly "clearly been on a soccer course" R had really stepped up her game. Several Falcons attacks came towards her, 2 or 3 players running fast and passing dangerously. Calmly, decisively, she picks her moment and the Falcons are downed. Abby and Megan had good games too, Abby taking a turn in goal to make some brave nick-of-time saves.

At half time, Sophie HR and Phoebe came on in midfield, showing little sign of tiring from the other non-stop match. Both used the space nicely, dribbling out of tackles and passing accurately to Sophie C and Ella in the attack.

And up front, what a transformation. Passing. Running with the ball. Running on to the ball. The sheer hunger of the Foxy attack left the crowd breathless.  When Thornbury attacked, Tia tackled, turned, ran and passed to Sophie C, perfectly placed for a goal. 

"Wow, they've got better!" gasped one. 

"Look at Ella run" admired another. 

"Is that a hatrick for Sophie Cliff?" roared a third, "she's amazing!"

OK, it was Sophie's mum, but she was right. Three goals for Sophie C, two for Ella W, but to be honest, they had everyone's name on them. Tia and Sophie HR set up a couple, Phoebe nearly scored.

But today the Foxes weren't content with nearly. Today, they pressed and pressed - and believed.

And if there was a word for the day, I'll go with Belief. Last week we told these girls that if they could convert enthusiasm into belief, they would win. Being obedient foxes, they did just that.