Y2 v Golden Hill Sonics (H)

Was it a goal or not? That was the question that was the centre of the young Foxes post-match discussions in the Cafe afterwards. Of course it wasn't; the referee's decision is what counts and debates as to whether the whole of the ball crossed the line are irrelevant really.

It was a gloriously warm spring morning and the Foxes were playing Golden Hill Sonics on The Downs in a 9-a-side 40 minute game. The Foxes started strongly and confidently and Jamie, Rajiv and Xabi quickly took control of the midfield. Behind them Ben and Xabi (and later Jacob and Tom) all had fantastic games, maintaining concentration for the entire 40 minutes. They soon found ways to feed the free running Acer, and release the strikers, Kieron, Reggie and Samuel who were tirelessly tracking back to assist the midfield. After five minutes, Jamie showed that he had been taking lessons from Lionel Messi as he weaved through the Sonics defence, forcing the goalkeeper into a smothering save. Sonics did come back into the game, but Alex in goal was well protected by his defenders, and timely interception by Acer who turned defence into a storming counter attack.

At half time, the Foxes pushed Samuel into a more advanced role to try to create more space in midfield, and the plan worked. After a spell of Foxes pressure, a clever shot from Reggie through a crowded goal mouth unluckily hit the far post. Both defences held firm, but eventually an opportunity arose. A break from the halfway line by Reggie and Samuel forced the Sonic's goalkeeper into a fantastic save from Samuel's well-struck shot, probably the best save we've seen this season. And then with 10 minutes to go, the Foxes thought they'd scored. After a goalmouth scramble, Samuel's shot eluded the goalkeeper and the celebrations started. But with the referee unsure as to whether the whole ball had crossed the line, the 'goal' was chalked off. The game finished with the Colts in the ascendancy, and they could quite easily have nicked a winner but for some great defending by Ben and Jacob.

And so it finished 0-0. One of the most thrilling nil-nils you could imagine. The Foxes showed, however, that once they get their shooting boots on (and play to the referee's whistle), that they can take on anyone.