A week can be a very long time in any walk of life and, after the excitement of the school trip to France, so it proved to be in the wonderful world of the year 6 Foxes.
The final Tournament of the year saw the coaches agonise over the selection of the squad of 12, looking to provide a balance in all positions as well as strength throughout. Those selected were: Archie, Owen, Harri, Seb, Nick, Ollie K, Ollie C, Joey, Danny, Jack C, Sam L and Omar.
The value of cover in every position soon came to the fore after Archie, minutes before kick off in the first game, was dazed by a ball to the face. Reassuringly Owen was on hand to pull on the gloves. Dowend proved to be tough opponents - good enough to go on an win the whole thing. As it was, this was the best the Foxes played taking a one—nil lead through a great strike from Joey before conceding a very late equalizer. In the end only a brave goal-line clearance from Nick gave us a share of the points.
As the afternoon wore on the effects of no sleep and long coach journeys crept up on the unusually sluggish Foxes. A 5-0 win against Clifton, including a hat-rick from Omar, and a 1-0 win against Rockleaze Pirates meant that the group ended with us on the same points, wins and goal difference as Downend. A penalty shoot out was the chosen way to settle who would finish top and, when Ollie C coolly slotted our final one, the honour was ours.
The quarter final was against the Buccaneers and once again a single goal decided it. I am not sure that we deserved to win as we struggled to turn possession into clear chances, but we worked as hard as tired legs and minds would allow and in the end tumbled out much earlier than we have become used to over recent years.
The reaction of the boys, disappointment edged with relief that they could go home, summed up a Tournament too far at the end of a rather wonderful Foxes season.
Friday 29 June 2012
Tuesday 12 June 2012
Year 6 - St Nicks Tournament, 10th June - Foxes WIN
As the year six boys arrived at St Nicks at lunchtime they were able to cheer on the girls in their final and, by the end of the day and inspired by what they saw, the Foxes returned from far off Chipping Sodbury as Champions.
Once again we entered two squads.
Our 'A' team (Owen, Omar, Captain Ollie K, Harry, Danny, Sam L and Max) won two and drew two in the group stage without letting in a single goal to finish runners up. Owen, with a stiff neck, played with his usual bravery and commitment, Ollie and Harry tidied everything up at the back and the others worked hard in midfield/attack. Highlights included a Danny-special as he curled his corner straight into the opponents net and some great passing and movement which caused all of the teams we played trouble.
The 'B' team (Archie, Harri, Seb, Captain Joey, Jack C, Jack T, Sonny and Ollie C) played five and won five, again without conceding a goal. After a shaky start in the first game against the host team, the Foxes got better and better with Joey running midfield, Jack C finishing with precision and Sonny able to celebrate a fine goal with a cartwheel.
In common with all other Tournaments this season the two Foxes teams ended up meeting in the knockout stages. The semi-final was another classic encounter, settled by a single goal by Jack C as the 'B's moved to the final.
An early goal by Sonny, with his left foot, settled the nerves as a good Lockleaze and Horfield side worked hard to create chances. 1-0 at half time became 2-0 when a great cross by Joey was headed back across goal by Jack C for Sonny to finish cleanly. The Foxes continued to dominate but a well-taken goal from L&H with two minutes to go raised the level of tension but confident handling from Archie, superb defending by Seb and Harry, and tireless defending by Joey, Jack C, Ollie C and Jack T saw us to the final whistle.
The win was a great credit to both Foxes squads at St Nicks, as well as those boys that did not play in the Tournament, and is a clear indication of the strength of this year group.
C'mon the Foxes!
Once again we entered two squads.
Our 'A' team (Owen, Omar, Captain Ollie K, Harry, Danny, Sam L and Max) won two and drew two in the group stage without letting in a single goal to finish runners up. Owen, with a stiff neck, played with his usual bravery and commitment, Ollie and Harry tidied everything up at the back and the others worked hard in midfield/attack. Highlights included a Danny-special as he curled his corner straight into the opponents net and some great passing and movement which caused all of the teams we played trouble.
The 'B' team (Archie, Harri, Seb, Captain Joey, Jack C, Jack T, Sonny and Ollie C) played five and won five, again without conceding a goal. After a shaky start in the first game against the host team, the Foxes got better and better with Joey running midfield, Jack C finishing with precision and Sonny able to celebrate a fine goal with a cartwheel.
In common with all other Tournaments this season the two Foxes teams ended up meeting in the knockout stages. The semi-final was another classic encounter, settled by a single goal by Jack C as the 'B's moved to the final.
An early goal by Sonny, with his left foot, settled the nerves as a good Lockleaze and Horfield side worked hard to create chances. 1-0 at half time became 2-0 when a great cross by Joey was headed back across goal by Jack C for Sonny to finish cleanly. The Foxes continued to dominate but a well-taken goal from L&H with two minutes to go raised the level of tension but confident handling from Archie, superb defending by Seb and Harry, and tireless defending by Joey, Jack C, Ollie C and Jack T saw us to the final whistle.
The win was a great credit to both Foxes squads at St Nicks, as well as those boys that did not play in the Tournament, and is a clear indication of the strength of this year group.
C'mon the Foxes!
Year 6 - Seven Go to Devon - Jubilee Weekend
Back in the depths of winter, Coach Wistow suggested a tournament trip to the sunny North Devon coast. The Bideford and Appledore Blues 6-a-side tournament was scheduled for the Jubilee weekend at their idyllically located ground next to the Westward Ho! dunes. A weekend of camping, surfing and footy under a baking June sun looked irresistible.
Come Saturday evening, in a wind and rain swept field outside Ilfracombe, the resolve of some of the brave campers was wavering, but surely it would clear up for the tournament on Sunday? “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail” is what the top coaches say. So with Wenger-ian precision the seven strong Y6 squad (Danny, Harri, Max, Archie, Sam L, Owen, Jack C) were put through a rigorous training programme consisting of:- staying up late chatting in a campervan, (for some) a morning’s bodyboarding at Woolacombe, a large and rushed pub lunch, then a dash to the tournament so that we arrived late and had to re-arrange our opening fixture.
The friendly hosts were delighted to see us and play commenced, with strong winds and driving rain off the Atlantic forcing most spectators to huddle under the clubhouse eaves. The Foxes, still digesting their crisps, cheese and carvery leftovers, got off to a sluggish start and conceded an early goal in their first game. Once they had grasped the intricate tournament rules (including roll-ins instead of corners, throws or goal kicks), they settled down and Danny was put through to strike a fine equaliser. After that opening draw, a 2-0 win followed in the next game, the highlight being a beautiful long diagonal ball finished by Jack from the left side. The Foxes faced one of the host club’s teams in the group decider. The game was goalless with 2 minutes to go, when a blocked free kick rolled to Owen some 15 (or possibly 50) yards out to win it with a monstrous left foot drive into the bottom corner.
The Foxes cruised through their semi-final, winning 2-0 with 2 more goals from an inspired Danny. Having knocked out all the local teams, the final was contested by the Foxes and the other “tourist” team – the formidable FC Highnam from Gloucestershire, league and cup champions in their home county. In driving rain which made Rockleaze 2011 seem like Ibiza, it was a game too far for the brave Bristolians, and after losing an early goal and a questionable penalty for a “goalie out of his box” rule infringement, it eventually finished 0-3. Runners-up shields were handed out in the warmth of the clubhouse, and all the boys deserved their hearty applause for a magnificent effort.
Where they led, others will follow. Apart from the weather, this was a cracking trip and tournament, and highly recommended to all Foxes years (the tournament has multiple age categories) who fancy a seaside, surfing and soccer camping trip next “summer”.
Friday 8 June 2012
Year 6 - Thornbury Tournament, 26th May - Foxes win the Plate
So 16 Foxes travelled to Thornbury. In contrast to our previous experience of this Tournament, where we have come against a good variety of teams from far and wide, our two teams were only up against 6 other sides, four of which came from the host club.
Two groups of four and the Greens and Whites both got off to winning starts.
The Whites (Owen, Ollie K, Seb, Sam P, Sam L, Joey, Jacob and Raul) came out on top 2-0 in their first game against opposition from Thornbury. A rather disjointed and cranky display in the second game against the second Thornbury side in the group led to a defeat and while we played with much more spirit in the final group game, the only goal went to Rockleaze. One win, two defeats. Third place.
The Greens (Archie, Harri, Aidan, Harry, Danny, Jack C, Max, Omar) beat Thorbury 1-0, drew with the other Thornbury side 0-0 and lost to the Sonics 1-0. One win, one draw and one defeat. Third place.
On to the semifinals in the plate where both sides overcame teams from Thornbury and set up a Foxes v Foxes final. This proved to be the best game we played in and ended in an inevitable 1-1 draw. Penalties and the Greens emerged victorious. Max lifted the trophy amid an ice-cream celebration.
Two groups of four and the Greens and Whites both got off to winning starts.
The Whites (Owen, Ollie K, Seb, Sam P, Sam L, Joey, Jacob and Raul) came out on top 2-0 in their first game against opposition from Thornbury. A rather disjointed and cranky display in the second game against the second Thornbury side in the group led to a defeat and while we played with much more spirit in the final group game, the only goal went to Rockleaze. One win, two defeats. Third place.
The Greens (Archie, Harri, Aidan, Harry, Danny, Jack C, Max, Omar) beat Thorbury 1-0, drew with the other Thornbury side 0-0 and lost to the Sonics 1-0. One win, one draw and one defeat. Third place.
On to the semifinals in the plate where both sides overcame teams from Thornbury and set up a Foxes v Foxes final. This proved to be the best game we played in and ended in an inevitable 1-1 draw. Penalties and the Greens emerged victorious. Max lifted the trophy amid an ice-cream celebration.
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