Year 5 vs Shire Colts, 16th October

An unusually depleted (by a Cub trip) Y5 Boys squad, numbering just two teams of six with no subs, faced a squad of 18 from Shire Colts in two rounds of six-a-side matches.

Ewan's team had a truly international flavour, being one-third Finnish with the inclusion of both Ian and his friend Leevi. Joined by Joey, Sonny, Owen and Jack C, this team came storming out of the blocks in their first game, with impenetrable defence, quick passing and devastating finishing generating a 5-0 lead at half time. Debutant Leevi bagged two close range finishes, adding to a brace for Sonny and Joey's spectacular "triple-keepy-up-then-volley" finish from 20 yards. The Foxes eased off a little in the second half, and Shire Colts battled hard to earn a well-deserved late consolation from a long range shot to make it 5-1.

The second game looked set to to go the way of the first, after the Foxes took the lead through Sonny then proceeded to generate chances at such a rate that one admiring Shire parent compared it to watching Chelsea. But after a succession of almost comical Foxes' missed chances from extremely close range (including a miss from half a yard out), Shire Colts blasted an equaliser close to half time when the ref (Ewan) controversially called 'play on' after a collision in the box. The second half then ebbed and flowed. Sonny put the Foxes back in the lead, but then tiredness (with no subs to provide relief), lack of shape, too much individual effort at the expense of teamwork and occasionally flaring tempers saw the game shift Shire's way. The ref/coach had his hands full, facing criticism from both sets of supporters (including the Foxes' Chairwoman), and could only watch as the Foxes' defence went AWOL as Shire scored twice on the break. There were further chances for both sides as play became increasingly ragged, but Shire held on for a 3-2 win.

Player of the week for this team was: Ian

Dave's team consisted of Archie, Seb, Ollie K, Ollie C, Nick and Omar.

With no subs on the bench the boys faced a morning of hard work but this made life easy for the coach in deciding on the starting line-up: Archie in goal, with Seb and Ollie K at the back and a midfield diamond with Ollie C on the right, Nick on the left.and Omar in the middle playing just ahead of the other two.

The first game ended 5 - 0 in our favour. The boys were asked to let the ball do the work and for the most part that is exactly what they did, with a fine display of passing football. Our first goal was a route-oner, with Archie's long clearance clearing everyone except Omar who took his chance well. Two of the other goals stood out. One was a corner taken by Omar which fell for Nick who gave it back to Omar who passed it to Ollie K - and from the edge of the box he thumped it through the crowd and into the far corner. The second was a passing move involving all of the outfield players, Ollie K won the ball in our box gave it to Seb, who passed to Nick on the left, who gave it to Omar, who spread it to Ollie C on the right who gave it back to Omar who scored. Despite the score line, and the fact that their keeper made a string of good saves, Shire Colts were always dangerous on the counter but we can be pleased the by the style of football we played.

Match two was a far closer affair. We started a touch tired and could have gone behind in the first couple of minutes but for Archie's alert display in goal. The Foxes scored against the run of play and this settled the boys, who got stuck in and worked hard. A second goal followed but again the Colts passed the ball well and worked a few openings and we should be pleased by keeping a clean sheet.

Player of the week for this team being Ollie K.

Overall, the play of both teams was excellent, and with the addition of some subs, Cubs and more passing in the final third, the Y5 Foxes will continue to improve and surpass even last season's achievements.