One week on and a completely different set of challenges faced 14 brave Foxes. A week of rain and a reminder to stay off the Down’s pitches meant we had to set up pitches on the undulating terrain of long grassy – far from ideal for our style of fast, flowing football. Whilst a well-drilled SC squad went though their pre-match build up, late arrivals and a few no-shows meant we didn’t know we could field 2 full teams until just before kick off. Shire are probably the best team we play in the friendly league so this was going to be a better measure of how we are doing than previous weeks.
Simon’s Squad - Caston, Jack, Ewan, TJ, Harrison, Stanley, John
Match1
Funny how little moments stay with you. With no-one else to ref, Simon took on the role of referee and, unlike other sides, did not coach the Foxes during play. This was a fixture where the team were to make their own decisions. One minute before kick-off they took it upon themselves to have a team huddle – 7 little Foxes against the world. I was immensely proud.
We set up with everyone playing in familiar roles – Caston in goal, Jack and TJ as sweeper and link-man, John and Stanley in midfield and Ewan and Harrison out wide. Shire attacked from the off and played some attractive passing football, confident of their ability to hold the ball and wait for a passing opportunity. The Foxes competed but had a slow start and we were soon 2 goals behind. Then the Foxes’ spirit took over and the team fought back. Stanley scored the goal of the match with a perfect strike (or was it a lob?) from wide out right. A good SC keeper failed to get anywhere near it. As the game continued, both sides created and saved chances – nothing in it. It was only a Foxes own goal from a penalty area scramble that added to the scoreline. On reflection SC probably deserved their win, but it was marginal.
Result: Foxes 1: SC 3
Match 2
The second match saw the Foxes take on what looked to be Shire’s B team. TJ swapped for Caston and with the Foxes now up to speed, we tore into them from the off. Great saves, intelligent defence, selfless midfield play and skilful attacks meant that the Foxes completely outplayed SC in the first half. Shire had no answer to our pace and determination as Harrison scored the first and John added a second (with Harrison making sure it went over the line). A controversial 3rd goal followed as a fair tackle from Caston put Harrison through to finish with a great strike. SC parents erupted complaining that the game should have been stopped because their player was on the floor and one of the parents decided to march onto the pitch to give an opinion he should have kept to himself. The second half then became a little tense and somewhat niggly with lots of pulling, foul throws and “accidental “handballs – which were all waved on in a effort to keep the game flowing. The Foxes could and perhaps should have scored three or four more including a crossbar-breaking strike, but it was a good and well-deserved win.
Result: Foxes 3: SC 0
MOM: John for tireless running and a superb midfield display.
Rob’s Squad:
Rohan, Jamie, Matthew, William W, Josh, Henry, William LP
Match 1
In the knowledge that Shire Colts have a strong quad of players the Foxes were asked to play in a 2-3-1 formation, William W and Matthew played in defence, William LP, Henry and Jamie in midfield, Josh playing alone up front and Rohan in goal. The game kicked off to a flurry of good accurate passing from Shire Colts which pegged the Foxes back in their own half but the Foxes eventually started to find their game. Josh was excellent at receiving the ball and holding off defenders until support from Henry or William LP arrived. The first goal of the game came from an accurate corner from Henry to the near post where William LP managed to flick the ball past the advancing Shire Colts keeper. The Foxes continued to look dangerous, Henry and William LP breaking very fast from midfield to support Josh up front. A second goal for the Foxes looked on the cards but it was Shire Colts who scored next with a long range effort that Rohan unfortunately failed to get his hands to. 1-1. However Henry soon put the Foxes back in the lead with a fine solo run and finish 2-1. The action was non stop from the Foxes, next up William LP had a fine run on the left taking the ball from midfield to the edge of the Shire Colts box before releasing a magnificent left foot drive high into the corner of the Colts net. 3-1. The second half started off much the same as the first half ended with the Foxes 2-3-1 formation keeping the play in the Colts half of the pitch. It was Henry's turn to score next with a thunderous shot that crashed in off the cross bar 4-1. Shire Colts then began to wake up with the Foxes having to defend in numbers. William W and Matthew were now being kept increasingly busy in defence as the Colts started to step up their game. Eventually the pressure led to the Colts scoring 4-2. Foxes were now having to defend in numbers, Jamie was playing well down the right of mid field helping the defence while Henry and William LP continued to try to feed Josh to relieve the pressure on the Foxes defence. Eventually the Colts scored their third goal 4-3 which led to an anxious last few minutes but Rohan had the measure of the Colts last few attempts at goal. The final whistle came as a bit of a relief, the Foxes beating Shore Colts 4-3. A great team performance capped with two great goals from William LP and Henry.
Result: Foxes 4: SC 3
Match 2
In the second game the Foxes were set up in the same 2-3-1 formation but with William LP replacing Rohan as keeper. The first half was quite an even battle with Shire Colts scoring the only goal. 0-1. Rohan and William swapped places at half time to bolster the left side of midfield. The prospects for the Foxes in the second half started very well with the Colts being pegged back in their half for long periods. It looked only a matter of time before the Foxes were going to score but as the clock ran down, and the Foxes narrowly missing with their many chances at goal, it one of those games where a goal might just elude them. So it was to be, the Colts rubbed salt into the Foxes wounds with a break that resulted in a well-worked second goal. 0-2. The Foxes continued to battle on but there were quite a few weary legs and having only seven players in the squad meant that there were no substitutions available. Rohan made some magnificent saves in one on one situations seemingly with every part of his body, left leg, right leg, left arm, shoulder. This was great goal keeping to watch. Unfortunately the Colts scored a third goal again on the break. 0-3. The game ended with Foxes pride intact because it looked only at matter of time before the Foxes would score during much of the second half. Well done the Foxes for not loosing their spirit and battling to the very end.
Result: Foxes 0: SC 3
MOM - William LP for his fine goals in the first game and his hard work in midfield.
Overall - Played 4, won 2, lost 2
Aggregate - Foxes 8: Shire Colts 9
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