Y2 v Ashley Down (H)

Our first ever home game and we were very pleased to host Ashley Down. We managed to squeeze in four games, and the fact that only seven goals were scored all morning, showed how tight the games were.

With twenty players in our squad, we split into 'red' and 'blue' teams. Ashley Down had a squad of ten, and so played rolling substitutions.

The Foxes red team started well with Frazer and William dominating midfield. It was Ashley Down's goalkeeper who was by far the busier, but managed to keep the Foxes out and the game goal-less at half time. In the second half, Ashley Down took the lead with a fine shot, but the Foxes came back strongly and Acer gained a draw with a fine run and cool finish.

In the second game, the blues again battled well with a strong midfield battle led by Rajiv and Ben, and would have taken the lead had Samuel's 'goal' from a tight angle which hit the far post and bounced back along the line been awarded. Again it took a fine shot from Ashley Down to secure a 1-0 win.

Ashley Down were by now playing very well with some neat midfield passing (take note, Foxes and Foxes coaches) and were deservedly 2-0 up by half time. A Foxes substitution and change of tactics at half time saw a reversal of the play in the second half. Xabi and Acer took control of the midfield, and after hitting a post (again!), Samuel pulled a goal back after being unleashed by a great through-ball by Acer and as the goalkeeper advanced, a clinical finish. The Foxes were now well on top, but could not quite eek out an equaliser.

In the final match, it was back to a tight tactical game. A great shot from the right winger gave Ashley Down the only goal, but it could have gone either way. Danny made a fine save to keep the Foxes in the game throughout, but it ended 1-0.

Overall Ashley Down were deserved winners with some strong players and good teamwork. The Foxes showed their fighting spirit as always, and with a bit of luck and a more generous referee would have got more in terms of the results. In the Cafe afterwards, the talk amongst the young Foxes was of blind referess and the call for the introduction of goal-line technology...