Westbury Park Foxes 3 v 3 Portishead Town

Great comeback clinches a point for the u10 Girls!

After a week off from the league last week the girls were in a confident mood for the visit of Portishead Town.
With captain Izzy winning the toss we started playing up the slope. Whilst the Foxes made most of the early running, it was clear that Portishead had clearly either recruited well, or installed Pep Guardiola as their coach, as their big midfielders quickly imposed themselves on the game and made a mockery of the league table. Playing a lone striker they exploited the sloped well and took an early lead after 2 of their players were allowed into the penalty box unchallenged to coolly slot under Betty.
Then disaster stuck as a Portishead corner was not cleared and they were able to tap in from close range to make it 2-0.
With Molly and Amelia on to shore up the defence, the Foxes went forward again and were unlucky when the keeper was just able to prevent a Lily strike at the near post.
Going in 2-0 down was a whole new experience. Luckily the second half was much better. A steady stream of pressure allowed Sim to score from close range, and we could see the confidence returning.
A foul just inside the opposition half allowed Lulu to send a sidewinder goalwards, which bounced in front of the keeper who could only parry into the net. The turnaround was complete moments later when a fierce corner from Lulu could only be deflected into the net by the first defender. 3-2 was a remarkable turnaround, but tragically in the final 30 seconds a rare Portishead breakaway found their unmarked striker who again slotted cooly home.
3-3, was a fair reflection on the match, and a useful reminder that we need to improve our tackling, even if the opposition are bigger, and work on defending as a team, especially as our next 3 league matches are against very good opponents.

Girl of the Game - Ruby

Y6 Whites battle Ingleside to win 4:2 on 20 Oct

The Foxes Y6 Whites were magnificent today against a strong and very physical Ingleside team. Ingleside arrived having lost only one of their 4 previous league matches scoring 20 goals in the process.  It was going to be a tough match.  

Right from the first whistle (thanks Al!) the Foxes competed for every ball.  It didn't take long before Stanley scored a corker from just to left of the goal. The Foxes then stood firm against a skilful, determined and very combative opposition.  Despite creating numerous chances, the second goal just wouldn't come until late in the first half when Stanley slotted home his second.  Unfortunately a lapse in concentration allowed Ingleside to score almost immediate and gave them hope.

In the second half Jack put the Whites two goals up again with a magnificent long-range shot and Caston kept Ingleside out with a fabulous save.  Several more chances went begging and although the Foxes should have been 4 or 5 up, Ingleside made them battle for every ball.  Eventually they pulled one back, but Stanley popped up to score his hatrick for a final score of 4:2 to the Foxes.

Every one of the Foxes played their hearts out today.  They were asked to concentrate on trying their hardest and they did exactly that. All nine of them deserved to be "Man of the Match" but the Captain's armband was awarded to Stanley for his 3 goals.  Well done all!

Squad: Harrison, Joseph, Stanley, Jack, Caston, Tee-Jay (C), John, Henry, William W.

Downend Flyers 0 V 8 Westbury Park Foxes

The girls came away with another amazing result, winning 8-0 away to Downend.

However there is more to the story than the score line suggests... 

Downend started strongly and defended very well as team. Despite a great attacking Foxes display, with Mara and Lily on the wing and Ella and Simmy through the centre, the black and white stripes of Downend blocked any clean shots on goal.

When the opposition did break in numbers, Molly and Amelia stood strong in defence and Lulu (on goalkeeping duty in Betty's absence) was quick off her line to snub out any danger.

Mara and Lily's relentless running eventually paid off and a chance fell to Simmy that she put away with aplomb.

The Foxes were relieved to go into half time 1-0 up.

Despite playing slightly up hill in the second half the Foxes turned up the heat and attacked as a unit. Mara and Lily played a great passing game, looking for their team mates early and creating numerous chances. Within 3 minutes we were 4-0 up with goals from Lily (2) and Simmy (1). With Lulu desperate to join in the action Ella kindly offered to go in goal and Lulu helped secure another 4 goals with some great cross field passes to Mara on the left. Mara got one herself before Simmy got 2 more and Lily one more.

New recruits Millie and Ruby came in at the back and played like veterans snubbing out any breaks with confidence.

Thanks to Mark Beswetherick, who with Martin away, stood in to help Graham maintain the unbeaten record.

Well done the Foxes!

Girl of the game - Mara