AEK BOCO White 1 V 1 Westbury Park Foxes

Autumn arrived with a bang today for the 'top of the table' clash away at AEK Boco. Heavy rain and plummeting temperatures served up a timely reminder of regular season football.
A squad of 10 made the trip (eventually) to Hanham for our first encounter of the season against one of the 3 Boco teams. Having played in friendlies last year we knew they were a team on the up and we would face a real test.
Betty captained from goal, with Bella and Molly in defence, Lulu formed a new midfield partnership with Mara making her Foxes debut. Lily and Sim once again led the line.
The first half got underway at a frantic pace and the match went end to end repeatedly with both defences able to break down opposition attacks. It soon became clear that the Foxes were vulnerable to the through ball, and, despite Izzy reinforcing the defence, it was just such a ball that led to a mix up in the Foxes box and a close range goal for BOCO. An injury to Mara meant Ella, dosed up with Calpol, took to the right.
So for the first time the Foxes went into the break a goal down, a new experience. A half time team talk concentrated on heads not dropping, and convincing Betty that the rain on her back would be better than coming into her face, (her lips really were blue!).
The second half started with Amelia replacing the excellent Bella in defence, and the Foxes quickly pushed forward in search of the equalizer. We didn't have to wait long as, with the first attack of the half, Ella ghosted into the box unmarked to meet a cross with a clinical finish.
From then it was game on as both teams went in search of a winner, with Sim going close and the post denying Lily. At the other end Betty made a couple of important stops when one on one with the Boco striker.
All in all a fair result, and a taste of how difficult the league can be.
Once again many thanks for all the parental support on such a miserable day.

Captain of the Week - Betty

Girl of the Game - Ella