Y5 Girls Battle in Oxfordshire Final

We'd never heard of Carterton before. It's kind of near Oxford.
Well now, they've heard of the Foxes - and they ain't gonna forget us.

1:35 on Sat 11 June should go down as a Great Foxy Moment.

We'd made the final. Against our regular enemies, St Nicks. They'd nicked a goal, and it looked like that was it. Then, the foxes came back.

"C'mon, we can do this,' they cried to each other.

It started at the back. Ella Thrasher tackled their star striker and got rid, quickly, to Phoebe. Up the wing, on to Sophie M. To Emily T. To Anna D. I seriously counted 6 passes before Emily found herself near the goal. But did she have a go? No, she laid it off beautifully to Sophie M who was in prime position and Bam! 1-1

All the neutrals applauded what was a fantastic display of team football, perfectly finished. OK, for the record, the final ended 1-1, and in the dreaded penalty shoot-out we lost, 2-1 again.

But what a route to the final. First two games, we won 2-0 and 3-0. Terrific goal from Phoebe Marshall got us off. A weak goal kick, Phoebe was on it like a terrier and rifled it home. Anna D soon scored again, and frankly, our midfield was so dominant they used the rest of the match as shooting practice.

Next game we were, frankly, rather scary. More goals, from Anna D and Sophie M and it was 3-0 this time.

At the back, Sophie HR and Ella T tackled and intercepted and cleared the ball confidently. In goal, Emily B played the tournament of her life. Two stunning saves against St Nicks, and throughout the day, that rare combination of cool head and massive boot.

Emily T was everywhere, in defence, up front, on the line, you name it. Go and have a lie down girl!

And Phoebe, Molly, Anna D and Sophie ran like the wind. Never gave up, always believed.
Several spectators commented on what good sports they were, and what good friends they seemed. Off the pitch, the girls stuck together and encouraged each other like you wouldn't believe.

It was a shame the entire Foxy Nation weren't there to witness a team that did us proud. Guess that might have been the 90minute drive...  Me? I'd have driven 3 hours to watch that.