Monday 18 February 2013

Yr 7 BSYL Cup - Foxes 6 - 0 Golden Hill Sonics

The final score line flattered the Foxes as for 40 minutes the game could have gone either way. Both teams were missing key players but still managed to create good passages of football. Despite the Sonics starting the brighter, the Foxes went in 2-0 up at half time with both goals resulting from Ollie C corners, the first from Raul  and the second from Nick . Throughout the first half the Foxes owed a lot to their back five, Owen in goal and Nick, Harri, Harry and Alec who kept the Sonics at bay.

The second half started with the Sonics camped in the Foxes half with Owen making some brave saves and the ball being cleared off the goal line by Nick. Another Ollie C corner, however, leading to a goal from Omar changed the balance of play and the Foxes went on to score three more, with Omar completing his hatrick and Danny converting a penalty. Omar also hit the post and Harri, after a run from deep in his own half, rattled the bar.

Yr 7 - GFA Cup - Rockleaze 2 - 1 Foxes

So our run in the Sunday County Cup came to an agonising end. Having been 1-0 up through a lovely finish by Omar, we ended up conceding the decisive goal with the last kick of the game.

The Foxes should be really proud of the way the boys played. Injuries, rugby and hockey tournaments and the fact that we play on Saturdays, so that the squad usually do other things on a Sunday, left us with some key players missing. As it was we played some lovely stuff in the first half, creating some good chances and deserved to go into the break in the lead. As it was Rockleaze scored with a rare shot late on in the half.

The second half was scrappy, with Rockleaze having the majority of possession but Archie in goal and Nick, Owen, Harri and Jacob in front of him stopped any really clear chaccnes being created. We struggled to get forward, although Ollie C did hit the bar and with an injury to Omar, and with Anna having to leave early, we ended with barely 11 fit players and were unable to take it to penalties. 

The coaches could have asked for nothing more from the squad.

Sunday 17 February 2013

BGL u10's Portishead Town 0 v 7 Westbury Park Foxes

Girls Stay Top With Commanding Performance!

The result belies the fact that Portishead are a good side, with some strong attacking players who have achieved some noticeable results this season, including a 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture and a win against Boco Blues.
With this in mind the Foxes opted to drop Lulu back to defend with Amelia, regular wingers Mara and Ella starting on the flanks with Sim upfront and Lily occupying the hole. Betty took up her usual position between the sticks.

The first half was sublime. Regular coaching with Raph has meant that all of the girls are comfortable with the ball, can change direction, and increasingly are seeing passes to teammates. This, combined with some tough tackling against bigger players, and the great pace throughout the team makes them a joy to watch.
Five goals came in the first half. I cannot remember which order Lily and Sim scored them, which is partly due to the fact I am getting old, but mainly due to the fact that they were team goals with many players involved. Molly came on for Lily in the centre and played out the rest of the first half, really imposing herself and playing some great passes.

The second half saw a change around with Sim making way for Lily to return, Molly move to right wing, Lulu to centre mid and Ella B taking a rest to give Ella W her Foxes debut in defence.
A more even start to the second half saw the Foxes repel some determined Portishead attacks, but Amelia marshalled the defence like a pro. With Ella B back on for Mara the Foxes added a sixth as Ella slotted home a pass after Lily beat 3 defenders. Lulu took over in goal, allowed Betty a run out in midfield and soon Lily scored a goal of the season contender picking up the ball on half way to run through Portishead, take a rebound from the 'keeper then vaulting the grounded goalie to slot home. Magic!

Over all another great team performance!

Captain of the week: Simran
Girl of the Game: Molly

Sunday 3 February 2013

U10 Bristol Ladies Yellows 0 v 5 Westbury Park Foxes

Second win of the year sees the Foxes top the league.
A playable Coombe Dingle enabled us to reverse the fixture and get some much needed football after the recent bad weather.
A bout of illness meant Ella missing out with Betty and Amelia both needing Calpol to make it on to the pitch! This meant some reorganising with Sim moving to the right and Lily starting up front. Mara took up the left midfield and Amelia and Captain Molly took on the defensive duties. Lulu played the holding role that she has made her own.
The Foxes started brightly against a packed BLU Yellow defence. Whilst there was some adjusting to new positions, the Foxes were soon passing the ball and making decisive runs into the box. We spent most of the time in opposition territory, but the Yellows had an effective front 2 who were more than capable of hitting us on the break. Their tactics worked for the first 10 minutes or so, but eventually the pressure told and the Foxes took the lead. There followed a further 3 goals in quick succession, the last one a sublime 5 pass move from Betty in our goal to the back of the BLUs net!
The second half was a similar pattern with the Foxes dominant and the Yellows looking to hit on the break, but great defensive work from Ruby snuffed out their best attacking chance.
The BLUs defiant defence held out until the final seconds of the game when a great run and unselfish square ball from Lily to Sim allowed a close range tap in.
Clearly the great coaching from Raph has started to pay dividends with the girls getting better at seeing and executing passes, not being selfish with the ball, and all looking to control the ball with authority!
Captain of the Week: Molly
Girl of the Game: Lily
International Kung Fu Gold Medal Winner of the Week: Izzy!

yr 7 - BSYL Cup. Foxes 8 - 2 Shirehampton. 02/02

A busy weekend of football for the Foxes started under blue skies and on the astro at RGS. The squad were eager to play football again  - as was demonstrated by us being able to field 7 (the maximum) number of subs.

Shirehampton came of the blocks the quickest, as they did in the league game earlier in the season, with them scoring the opening goal after 60 seconds from a quick, long throw. The Foxes settled and equalised almost immediately through the inspirational Sam L, who had his best game of the season so far. The lead was extended further through a great corner from Sam that led to an own goal. Further strikes came from Sam again, from a great pass from Ollie C, and a long shot from Nick.

4-1 at half time and the Foxes showed collective short-term memory loss as we allowed Shirehampton to catch us napping again with second gaol almost straight from the kick off. After that the Foxes took control with two more goals from Sam L and two from Danny.

There were great performances throughout the team. Owen was strong in gaol, Harri and Harry were outstanding at centre back and covered for the loss of Ollie K with a broken finger, but the man of the match award had to go to Sam L.