AEK BOKO RED u10 0 v 1 Westbury Park Foxes U10

Following a prolonged Christmas break the Foxes travelled to Hanham for to face AEK Boco Reds in their first fixture of 2013.
The Foxes started with the sun on their backs, and it was soon clear that they were not going to have things all their own way. Oh yes they were!, (sorry couldn't resist!)
The Foxes started brightly but were being quickly closed down with 2 or 3 Boco players challenging for the ball. The pitch didn't help much but we were guilty of not moving the ball across the pitch quickly enough, so by the time it got to Sim 2 defenders were able to block her route to goal.
An early injury to Mara forced a change with Lily replacing her. Boco started to come into the game more and more, played a  quick counter attacking game. With Lulu dropping deeper into defence we were in danger of surrendering the midfield, and a couple of times we allowed Boco to run into the box unchallenged with Betty forced into a couple of saves at the opposition feet. Isabelle added some steel (and height) to the defence and the Foxes came off 0-0 at half time.
Realising that, a) we were clearly a bit rusty, and that b), the Boco Red team was unrecognisable from the team we had beaten at home earlier in the season, the half time team talk focused on being much more dominant in midfield and tackle early rather than retreating.
With Lulu pushing further up the pitch defensive duties fell to the ever dependable Amelia and Molly, and the tactic worked with most of the second half played in the Boco half.
On a different day we could have had a hatful, but several goal mouth scrambles came to nothing when it looked easier to score that not with Sim firing straight at  the keeper and Ella hitting the post. Only one Boco break looked dangerous but Betty did well diving at the feet of the striker to claim the ball.
With time running out it looked as though we would be frustrated, but a moment of magic from Sim, rounding 2 players before smashing home from the edge of the box, with 2 minutes remaining sealed the points for the Foxes!
Training needed next week to sharpen up!

Captain of the Week: Amelia
Girl of the Game : Bella

On a lighter note thanks to all the parents who made it to the Panto yesterday. I think everyone enjoyed it! We even got a mention in the program!

Foxes get a Panto mention!

BSYL - Yr7 - Rockleaze 1-1 Foxes, 12/01/13

Another good performance from the Foxes in the league but sadly another draw. And once again we could easily have taken all three points.

For the first time this season Archie was available for a league game and it was great to see him. The back four all had fine games, with Alec on particularly good form and Owen was once again allowed to roam free of goalkeeping duties.

In an entertaining game Rockleaze, playing with the slope and the wind, took the lead through a looping shot that went over Archie but just under the bar. At the other end we caused the home side trouble on both flanks and perhaps had the best chances of the half, but just couldn't find the net.

The Foxes made good use of the conditions in the second half and created a string of chances and half chances but we only converted one, a goal mouth scramble finished by the impressive Omar,  for the game to finish 1-1.

Good performances throughout the Foxes team but Archie in goal and Nick (man of the match) in defence and midfield stood out.

Yr 7 - GFS Cup Mangotsfield 1 - 4 Foxes, 06/01/13

Another foray into Sunday football and another great result for the Foxes.

This was an away game played on the astro at RGS due to the recent wet weather. Had you noticed?  Mangotsfield are an experienced, Division 1 AYL side and they started the brighter, playing good passing football and piling on the pressure early on but a strong display by our back 5 (Archie, Harri, Seb, Ollie K and Nick) with Owen holding midfield just in front of them kept them from fashioning any clear cut chances. As Foxy nerves settled we started to come into the game. A good passing move started by Sam L. found Jack C. who finished well with a low shot across the keeper. 1-0. The Mangos still had the lions share of possession and the Foxes were thankful for a fine one handed save by Archie who had a terrific game both in terms of shot stopping and marshalling his defensive line in front of him. We then hit the Mangos on the break with Ollie C. crossing from the right, Omar moved the ball first time into the path of Jack C. who scored his second. 2-0 and half time.


Second half and the next goal would be crucial and this time the Foxes came out of the blocks with a bit more belief. We hit the post early on before Anna won the ball in midfield passed to Omar who fed Jack C. who completed his hat-trick with another good finish. The Mangos heads didn't drop and switching to 3 at the back started to turn possession into pressure and once more Archie was called into action with another fine save. Danny then provided a fine pass to Jack C who put in Sam L. who made it 4-0.

In the last 10 minutes, with the Foxes making multiple substitutions, Mangotfield got a well deserved consolation. 4-1.

A great result for the Foxes against a very good Mangotfield United side and a fine team performance with everyone contributing. The coaches were delighted by the hard work and quality we showed and all the subs played their parts. Special mention must go to the back five and to Jack for a great hat-rick but man of the match was awarded to Owen for his fantastic display in midfield. Role on round 4.