Sunday 16 October 2011

Year 6 BSYL, 15th Oct

The Greens and the Whites both had a game, with one winning and the other losing.

The Whites squad was tested to the full as the fixture clashed with a cub camp but the coaches were delighted by the nature of the performance, as much as by the result. Six boys and two girls put in a great team effort at home to Ingleside, coming out on top by 8-2.

The bare bones of the squad was supplemented by the call up of two of the Foxes' girls team and Anna D and Sophie M did us proud. To win this game we need to play as a team and that's just what we did. We kept possession well, making good use of the lovely playing surface at St Ursula's and, when Ingleside had the ball, worked hard in defence. Joey wore the captain's armband and played his heart out, deserving his four goals. In a reshuffled formation Sonny started in goal to allow Owen to star in defence alongside Sophie, but he still had enough time of the pitch to score two, the second a cheeky lob. Sam proved a constant threat, creating chances for his team and finally scoring himself from close range. Alec had his best game of the season and Isaac was happy to switch from attack to have a stint in goal to allow Sonny to have a run out. The highlight, however, was an all girl effort, with Sophie and Anna combining superbly for Anna to smash home on the half volley.

The Greens were also affected by the cub camp and suffered a 2-0 defeat against a well organised and highly motivated Golden Hill Sonics side. Both sides started well with chances coming at either end, but good play down the wings allowed the Sonic to score near the end of the first half. In the second half we had to chase the game and as the game wore took more and more risks and the Sonics finally wrapped up the win as they broke quickly for to score a well taken goal.

Saturday 15 October 2011

Y2 v Sefton Park (A)

A great performance saw the strong Year 2 Foxes squad dominate Sefton Park Scorpions and come away with a win and a draw.

In the first match, the 'blue' Foxes quickly dictated the game. The key was a strong midfield marshalled by Alex, Rajiv and Frazer, in front of the fine defensive duo of Xabi and Louis. It wasn't long before Samuel capitalised on a hesitant Scorpions defence to rifle home the Foxes' first goal. The free running skills of Acer soon created a second, and the Foxes could have gone further ahead.

After half time, it was more of the same. It took a great save by the Scorpion's goalkeeper to deny Acer a second, but Samuel was on hand to skip over the goalie and tap in his second from six inches. This typified a Foxes' performance where they were first to everything - the Scorpions did not have a clear cut opportunity and the Foxes ended up winning 3-0.

In the second game, the 'red' Foxes continued in the same vein, with strong midfield performances from Tom, Oliver and the ever-tigerish Ben. They deservedly went ahead with a star goal, Sam bambouzling the Scorpion's defence and giving the goalkeeper no chance with a great shot.

The Scorpions were a match for the Foxes midfield and despite a number of great runs from Kieron which could have added to the Foxes' lead, the Scorpions drew level with a
shot from Max giving William no chance in goal. Even so, the Foxes could have won the game, and Jess nearly capped a fine performance with a winner.

Monday 10 October 2011

Yr 6 - BSYL, 8th October

The Y6 Foxes boys stormed back into action, after a two week layoff from league fixtures. Both teams recorded impressive wins in very different games, despite the absence of head coach Andy on a fact-finding and training weekend in the Isle of Wight.

The Whites travelled for the first time to Brislington FC. Once sufficient numbers of the squad (and the ref) had found the ground (tip: don't use satnav, just stay on the A4, last turning left before the ring road), the match began with the Foxes streaming forward and creating several early chances, with Raul in particular coming close several times. Joey opened the scoring with a thunderbolt free kick, then added two more either side of the break. At this stage the Foxes seemed in control, and could have been up by more, but...when the Foxes failed to clear the box and Brislington's star player pounced to sweep one in for the home side, the Foxes began to falter while the home side grew in confidence. Another followed for them from a long free kick high into the net. Then, when a momentary defensive hesitation allowed the Brislington star to nip in for a third, alarm bells were ringing and it was "deja vu all over again" (see match report v. Shirehampton, 24/9/11...).

With parents from both sides in fine voice, and chances at both ends, it seemed at one stage that the Foxes might suffer another reverse. But tireless tackling and chasing from Harri TD, Aidan and later Jacob kept the home team out. Then, when the Foxes won a corner on the left with 7 minutes to go, Sam L floated a perfect ball into the goalmouth, which an unfortunate home defender could only nod in. The Foxes battled well until the end and hung on for an uncomfortable 4-3 win, in a hard fought but sporting contest.

Meanwhile, across town at leafy St. Ursula's, it was a somewhat different story as the Greens hosted Rockleaze Rangers, who were unfortunate to fine the Foxes in fine form. The Foxes started the brightest and a good passing move released Jack down the left who crossed for Danny who made no mistake. 1-0. The second goal soon followed as Omar headed home at the back post from a Danny corner.

Rockleaze fought hard and produced some good football and a few minutes later a fine pass opened up our defence, and the Rockleaze forward dribbled around Archie only for Ollie K. to clear on the goal-line This near miss seemed to galvanize the Greens and a free kick gave Jack the opportunity to drive the ball home from a good 20 yards out. Jack then turned supplier with a great cross from which Danny scored his second.

Corners continued to provide a real threat to Rockleaze and the next goal came from another great Danny corner which Max thumped home. Then a flurry of goals: Ollie C. crossing for Omar to score: Nick providing for Ollie K ; and then Max doing the same for Omar. More goals came from Danny, Omar, Ollie K. and at the final whistle Danny once more. Rockleaze can feel unlucky at the score-line having worked hard all game and their heads never dropped, but the final score was 12-0 to the Greens.

The coaches were obviously pleased with the display but most of all pleased that even when well on top the Greens kept playing proper football.

Ollie C. won the Captain's armband with a top-notch game on the right wing.
Well done Greens.

Monday 3 October 2011

Yr 6 v Ashley Down, 1st Oct

With the School entering a team into a Saturday morning Tournament (where we reached the semi-final)the Foxes saw a return to the world of friendlies as the league agreed to a postponement of the Greens' and Whites' fixtures as we could not field enough players.

The boys who were available fought out a dogged away draw with a strong Ashley Down team in glorious October sunshine. Both sides had their attacking moments, but neither could break the deadlock over half an hour, with defences very much on top. The game finished with a very grown-up 0-0 scoreline. The Foxes' defence was expertly marshalled by Ollie K, with strong tackling contributions in defence and midfield from Sam P, Aidan and Harry F, leaving Owen without too many saves to make. Special mention also to Nick, who found some promising positions down the wings from Owen's clearance kicks but was frequently 'in the wars' from some strong but fair Ashley Down challenges. All in all it was a very good effort and all the boys contributed well, especially those who came on and off as subs.

Saturday 1 October 2011

Y2 v Ashley Down (A)

A second game, and away (again) at Ashley Down. Our opponents couldn't quite field two teams, so the Foxes appeared to be playing against Ashley Down's strongest players in every game!

Despite this, the Foxes produced four great performances. The first game was extremely close, with Ashley Down edging a 1-2 win. It was clear that the coaches appeared to have learnt from the previous week, with shrewd tactical advice like 'Give it to Acer!' That's because in the second game the Foxes stormed to a two goal lead in as many minutes. The final score in that game was comfortable 2-1 win to the Foxes (our first win!), although we had to thank Ben's fantastic double tackle to deny Ashley Down's star striker a late equaliser.

In the third game, Samuel's clinical finish was the only goal of the game, although the Foxes would have scored a hatful but for the heroics of the Ashley Down goalie. The final game looked like a goal-less draw until a late Ashley Down penalty gave them a win.

So, a very enjoyable morning and the sharing of the points with an equally matched team. Some great teamwork today, and fantastic support. We look forward to many more exciting encounters.