Year 5 vs Sefton Park, 12th March

The Foxes took a squad of 12 to Kellaway Avenue and enjoyed two very competitive and exciting games, winning both, 3-1 and 2-1, with all of the 12 contributing well on a compact and fast pitch, playing 8 a side.

In the first game, the first half went from end to end, with the ever-busy striking twins Raul and Jacob coming close, before Sefton Park exploited the temporary absence of the Foxes defence to slot home. Danny then showed the benefit of 'playing the whistle', blasting home a long-ish range effort to level the scores close to half time, after the ref had waved play on following a suspected handball - not by him (video footage below allows you to judge for yourself). Four subs came on for the second half, and with his very first touch of the ball the deadly Jack C fired home from close range into the roof of the net to give the Foxes the lead. A third later followed when a Stoke- style long throw in was turned in off a combination of Nick's right foot and a defender's legs. Good performances all round, with particular mention for Ollie S's powerful runs down the middle and right wing.

The second game saw a succession of Foxes attacks, many resulting in inswung corners on the small pitch, with Raul leaping and getting his head to most of them, coming closer to scoring every time. Finally the deadlock was broken when sustained pressure on the ball in defence resulted in Sam L being a yard out and making no mistake. The Foxes couldn't seem to add a second, despite one Raul headed effort cannoning off the crossbar and onto the goalline. Then a swift and incisive break from Sefton Park, and some defensive hesitation, saw a blue shirt blast in from six yards out, to huge cheers from the home crowd. But it didn't last long...Ian, charging into the box from the right, produced a superb Finn-ish (sorry..) to make it 2-1. The drama wasn't over yet, as a long range Sefton Park blast seemed destined for the bottom corner until Owen dived spectacularly to his left and palmed it around the post. From then on, the Foxes kept the ball and applied pressure until the end, coming out 2-1 winners in a real thriller.

Special mentions also to Seb for snuffing out so many blue attacks, many calm touches from Sam P, a welcome and energetic outfield run out for Archie, and Sam L as a constant and tireless threat down the left. Everyone played and conducted themselves very well in a thoroughly enjoyable and sporting encounter. Now over to the 'Clifton 12' for next week.....