Monday 25 March 2013
Yr 7 BSYL - Foxes 4 - 4 Wickwar, 23/03
A game that defied the rain and the cold and a performance from the Foxes that has thrown open the pursuit of the u12s league title. Wickwar now need Bishopston to drop points if they are to end up on top and it was clear quite how much this game meant to the visitors.
With the Downs again being unplayable a series of late-Friday-evening calls secured a pitch (RGS astro thanks to Bishopston Utd U14s), a referee and a later kick off time. The Easter break reduced the number of players available but we were still able to field a squad of 13 with Seb and Joey making rare appearances.
Despite the coaches asking the team to start strong, a combination of the changed start time and the cold left the Foxes on the back foot and only inspirational goalkeeping from Owen and brave defending from Alec, Ollie, Seb and Harri kept us in the game. As the half wore on the Foxes started to edge back into the game and took the lead through Sam. Wickwar struck back immediately, almost straight from the restart, before Sam restored the Foxes lead just before half time after good work down the left from Nick and Jack.
Unfortunately, the second half began with a bang as Wickwar drew level once again straight from the kick off, but the Foxes held their nerve, defended well and used the ball increasingly well going forward. Goals from Joey and Danny gave the Foxes a two goal lead that Wickwar always looked capable of clawing back - and so it proved. A free kick that was saved onto the post by Owen before rolling along, and just crossing, the line and a deflected shot brought the away side level. With the league title at stake emotions ran high but neither side could find the decisive goal.
A good, strong performance from the Foxes against a tough opposition. Two of their goals came quickly after restarts, something we thought had been ironed out, but we were never behind and caused Wickwar problems throughout. Well played all.
Sunday 24 March 2013
BGL u10 Westbury Park Foxes 3 v 1 AEK Boco White
Foxes secure league runners up spot!
A bitterly cold morning at St Ursulas and a pitch still drying out meant conditions for today's game would be as tricky as they had been for the reverse game, when we had been held to a 1-1 draw in driving rain.
With 3 subs to keep warm we knew that squad rotation would be important today.
Kicking off down the hill a familiar pattern emerged with the Foxes making the running and having plenty of possession, but the opposition doing a good job of closing down and looking sharp of the break. Relief came midway through the half when Lily was rewarded for some good work on the edge of the box with a shot low down to the corner to beat the White's 'keeper.
The Foxes made a change with Bella came off the bench to replace Ella B, however, with Boco starting to come back into the game and winning too many of the 50:50 challenges, Izzy came on for Lily to add some steel to midfield. This enabled the Foxes to see out the half without further problems.
Playing up the slope the Foxes aimed for a more defensive set up with Ella W coming on to play 3 at the back with Lulu and Amelia, leaving Izzy in the middle with Mara and Sim a lone striker. The move seemed to work as a great run and through ball from Izzy allowed Sim to slot passed the impressive Whites 'keeper. The confidence going forward, however, lead to us getting caught out on the break as the Foxes failed to clear and get back in sufficient numbers to prevent Boco pulling a goal back with a well taken shot to the corner. This seemed to give the opposition belief and they gambled, putting the goalie up front in an attempt to salvage the game. It was the Foxes, however, who benefitted as more great skill from Lily beating 3 on the edge of the box before a fine 1-2 with Sim allowed her to slot home a second!
A fine performance by all 10 players and a result that puts us second on goal difference with a game to go.
Well done to all for a fantastic debut season!
Captain of the Week: Lily
Girl of the Game: Izzy
A bitterly cold morning at St Ursulas and a pitch still drying out meant conditions for today's game would be as tricky as they had been for the reverse game, when we had been held to a 1-1 draw in driving rain.
With 3 subs to keep warm we knew that squad rotation would be important today.
Kicking off down the hill a familiar pattern emerged with the Foxes making the running and having plenty of possession, but the opposition doing a good job of closing down and looking sharp of the break. Relief came midway through the half when Lily was rewarded for some good work on the edge of the box with a shot low down to the corner to beat the White's 'keeper.
The Foxes made a change with Bella came off the bench to replace Ella B, however, with Boco starting to come back into the game and winning too many of the 50:50 challenges, Izzy came on for Lily to add some steel to midfield. This enabled the Foxes to see out the half without further problems.
Playing up the slope the Foxes aimed for a more defensive set up with Ella W coming on to play 3 at the back with Lulu and Amelia, leaving Izzy in the middle with Mara and Sim a lone striker. The move seemed to work as a great run and through ball from Izzy allowed Sim to slot passed the impressive Whites 'keeper. The confidence going forward, however, lead to us getting caught out on the break as the Foxes failed to clear and get back in sufficient numbers to prevent Boco pulling a goal back with a well taken shot to the corner. This seemed to give the opposition belief and they gambled, putting the goalie up front in an attempt to salvage the game. It was the Foxes, however, who benefitted as more great skill from Lily beating 3 on the edge of the box before a fine 1-2 with Sim allowed her to slot home a second!
A fine performance by all 10 players and a result that puts us second on goal difference with a game to go.
Well done to all for a fantastic debut season!
Captain of the Week: Lily
Girl of the Game: Izzy
Sunday 17 March 2013
BGL u10 Westbury Park Foxes 5 v 1 BLU Yellows
Hard earned win in tricky conditions!
An early pitch inspection (lucky me), and a lack of further rain enabled the game to go ahead as scheduled, preventing the Watts from getting a lie-in in Dorchester!
Betty donned the captain's armband and lost the toss, so we started down the slope. It was clear from early on that the pitch would cut up, and the heavy conditions seemed to nullify the pace that our game is built on.
Whilst the Foxes made most of the early running, it seemed difficult to weight passes correctly and on a few occasions the ball seemed to arrived before the player.
Slowly things improved, and a well taken shot from Lily was spilled into the net by the BLUs 'keeper. As so often the early goal spurred on the Foxes, and pressure from set pieces soon had us 2 up as Sim converted from a Lulu corner. Bea replaced Ella on the right of midfield as the Foxes looked to consolidate. We didn't have it all our own way though, as a good run and shot tested Betty's positional play. The BLUs were allowed too often to break 2 on 2 as the midfield struggled to track back up the slope.
The second half was much more open as the BLUs used the slope to quickly recycle the ball to their 2 forwards requiring more stops from Betty.
A further goal from Sim made things safe before another BLU attack wasn't cleared and Betty was left stranded after coming for a cross that fell kindly to an opposition striker who prodded home.
The BLUs looked to capitalise and the Foxes reorganised with Lily coming off to leave Sim upfront alone. With Bea dropping back and the wingers restored the shape returned and further goals from Lulu (from nearly half way) and Ella sealed the win for the Foxes. Lily replaced Sim and made some fine runs and was unlucky not to add to her tally.
Another good performance in tricky conditions. Victory next week will see us secure the runners up spot with a game in hand!
Captain of the week: Betty
Girl of the Game: Betty
An early pitch inspection (lucky me), and a lack of further rain enabled the game to go ahead as scheduled, preventing the Watts from getting a lie-in in Dorchester!
Betty donned the captain's armband and lost the toss, so we started down the slope. It was clear from early on that the pitch would cut up, and the heavy conditions seemed to nullify the pace that our game is built on.
Whilst the Foxes made most of the early running, it seemed difficult to weight passes correctly and on a few occasions the ball seemed to arrived before the player.
Slowly things improved, and a well taken shot from Lily was spilled into the net by the BLUs 'keeper. As so often the early goal spurred on the Foxes, and pressure from set pieces soon had us 2 up as Sim converted from a Lulu corner. Bea replaced Ella on the right of midfield as the Foxes looked to consolidate. We didn't have it all our own way though, as a good run and shot tested Betty's positional play. The BLUs were allowed too often to break 2 on 2 as the midfield struggled to track back up the slope.
The second half was much more open as the BLUs used the slope to quickly recycle the ball to their 2 forwards requiring more stops from Betty.
A further goal from Sim made things safe before another BLU attack wasn't cleared and Betty was left stranded after coming for a cross that fell kindly to an opposition striker who prodded home.
The BLUs looked to capitalise and the Foxes reorganised with Lily coming off to leave Sim upfront alone. With Bea dropping back and the wingers restored the shape returned and further goals from Lulu (from nearly half way) and Ella sealed the win for the Foxes. Lily replaced Sim and made some fine runs and was unlucky not to add to her tally.
Another good performance in tricky conditions. Victory next week will see us secure the runners up spot with a game in hand!
Captain of the week: Betty
Girl of the Game: Betty
Sunday 10 March 2013
BGL u10 Westbury Park Foxes 1 v 0 Bradley Stoke
Football the winner as Foxes edge Stoke in a thriller!
The largest crowd of the season so far gathered at St Ursulas to cheer on the teams as the Foxes welcomed Bradley Stoke, the current league leaders, for a game that will probably determine second and third place in this year's league.
The Foxes had won the reverse fixture but were aware that Stoke are a good passing side and had made additions to their squad since we last met.
Captain Ella won the toss and, for a change, the Foxes started playing down the slope, in an effort not to get caught napping again in the early encounters.
A terrific open first half saw both teams attempt to move the ball about the pitch, with some fine passing and movement. Betty was called into some early action, with a couple of routine saves and a fine tip round the post. Great team defending stopped most of the Stoke attacks, although Amelia did some fine work in clearing, after Betty had saved with her knee against 2 Stoke forwards.
Increasing pressure from Sim forced the Stoke keeper into a fine low down save, but she was powerless to prevent the Foxes taking the lead after a training ground move saw Lulu send a bullet throw to the near post, which Sim ghosted onto and volleyed past the stranded 'keeper.
The Foxes controlled the remainder of the half to take a 1-0 halftime lead.
Playing up the slope, the Foxes reorganised with Bella coming on to replace the hard running Lily, mindful of a need not to get caught on the break. The more defensive set-up meant that we would concede territory but look to attack on the break. Midway through the half , Betty pulled off a fine save, diving at the feet of two Stoke players. Molly replaced Mara on the left, as the Foxes pushed forward, but rode their luck as a fantastic run to the byline and cross by the Stoke number 5 had too much on it and went out for a goal kick.
1-0 at the end to the Foxes. A really great game between two well-matched sides, who both try to play football! Next season should be a cracker.
Captain of the Week: Ella
Girl of the Game: Amelia
The largest crowd of the season so far gathered at St Ursulas to cheer on the teams as the Foxes welcomed Bradley Stoke, the current league leaders, for a game that will probably determine second and third place in this year's league.
The Foxes had won the reverse fixture but were aware that Stoke are a good passing side and had made additions to their squad since we last met.
Captain Ella won the toss and, for a change, the Foxes started playing down the slope, in an effort not to get caught napping again in the early encounters.
A terrific open first half saw both teams attempt to move the ball about the pitch, with some fine passing and movement. Betty was called into some early action, with a couple of routine saves and a fine tip round the post. Great team defending stopped most of the Stoke attacks, although Amelia did some fine work in clearing, after Betty had saved with her knee against 2 Stoke forwards.
Increasing pressure from Sim forced the Stoke keeper into a fine low down save, but she was powerless to prevent the Foxes taking the lead after a training ground move saw Lulu send a bullet throw to the near post, which Sim ghosted onto and volleyed past the stranded 'keeper.
The Foxes controlled the remainder of the half to take a 1-0 halftime lead.
Playing up the slope, the Foxes reorganised with Bella coming on to replace the hard running Lily, mindful of a need not to get caught on the break. The more defensive set-up meant that we would concede territory but look to attack on the break. Midway through the half , Betty pulled off a fine save, diving at the feet of two Stoke players. Molly replaced Mara on the left, as the Foxes pushed forward, but rode their luck as a fantastic run to the byline and cross by the Stoke number 5 had too much on it and went out for a goal kick.
1-0 at the end to the Foxes. A really great game between two well-matched sides, who both try to play football! Next season should be a cracker.
Captain of the Week: Ella
Girl of the Game: Amelia
Sunday 3 March 2013
BGL u10 Westbury Park Foxes 0 v 1 AEK Boco Blue
Foxes go down in difficult circumstances.
We knew that this would be tough game, but we were all still surprised at the level of physicality that the oppositions game was based around.
A sloppy start from the Foxes meant that we were chasing the game, as a Boco player was allowed to run into the box and beat Betty at the near post with barely 5 minutes gone.
The Foxes quickly woke up and started to play. Most of the remainder of the first half saw the Foxes camped in the Boco half as corner after corner rained into the Boco box. Sim's fine run ended with a shot rattling the post, before a cynical tackle on the edge of the box allowed a Lulu pile driver which a desperate Boco defender managed to get a boot on to defect round the post.
Confidence remained high that the breakthrough would come in the the second half as the Foxes continued to dominate posession and territory. Sadly the only break it seemed we were likely to get was one to the ankle as Lily's game ended early after another heavy challenge. More corners followed including an agonising ball that rolled along the goal line but wouldn't cross. Another cynical edge of the area challange sent Sim sprawling but again the free kick was deflected behind.
Boco were content to play with 5 behind the ball and see out the remainder of the game.
Great credit must go to all the girls who kept going and kept trying to play football in difficult circumstances.
Captain of the Day: Amelia
Girl of the Game: Lily ( as voted for by her fellow professionals)
We knew that this would be tough game, but we were all still surprised at the level of physicality that the oppositions game was based around.
A sloppy start from the Foxes meant that we were chasing the game, as a Boco player was allowed to run into the box and beat Betty at the near post with barely 5 minutes gone.
The Foxes quickly woke up and started to play. Most of the remainder of the first half saw the Foxes camped in the Boco half as corner after corner rained into the Boco box. Sim's fine run ended with a shot rattling the post, before a cynical tackle on the edge of the box allowed a Lulu pile driver which a desperate Boco defender managed to get a boot on to defect round the post.
Confidence remained high that the breakthrough would come in the the second half as the Foxes continued to dominate posession and territory. Sadly the only break it seemed we were likely to get was one to the ankle as Lily's game ended early after another heavy challenge. More corners followed including an agonising ball that rolled along the goal line but wouldn't cross. Another cynical edge of the area challange sent Sim sprawling but again the free kick was deflected behind.
Boco were content to play with 5 behind the ball and see out the remainder of the game.
Great credit must go to all the girls who kept going and kept trying to play football in difficult circumstances.
Captain of the Day: Amelia
Girl of the Game: Lily ( as voted for by her fellow professionals)
Saturday 2 March 2013
Year 7 BSYL Cup Rockleaze 1 - 3 Foxes, 02/03
The Foxes eased into the semi finals of the cup with a comfortable win over Rockleaze. From word go the Foxes, playing up hill in the first half, saw the majority of the ball and used their possession well. The new formation seemed to suit the team with Nick busy in midfield, Jack T untroubled at left back and Sam L causing the Rockleaze defenders constant trouble
The pressure paid off as Nick scored a deserved first from the edge of the area with a well struck first-time shot. The lead was soon extended when Anna won the ball on the Foxes right, fed it to Danny who's cross-cum-shot flew in at the far post.
The second half saw more pressure from the Foxes: Ollie C made a great run into the box but couldn't keep his shot down, Raul hit the bar with a bicycle kick, Harri hit the post from a free kick and the Rockleaze keeper making a number of saves. A third goal finally came when Omar, under strict instructions to test the keeper, scored expertly from 20 yards. Rockleaze looked to score on the break and Harri had to make one fantastic, last-ditch goal line tackled before the home side pulled one back through a well taken penalty. The Foxes were strong throughout with the back four as hard working as ever, Sonny fitting in well to midfield and threat, and goals, coming from all round the pitch.
The pressure paid off as Nick scored a deserved first from the edge of the area with a well struck first-time shot. The lead was soon extended when Anna won the ball on the Foxes right, fed it to Danny who's cross-cum-shot flew in at the far post.
The second half saw more pressure from the Foxes: Ollie C made a great run into the box but couldn't keep his shot down, Raul hit the bar with a bicycle kick, Harri hit the post from a free kick and the Rockleaze keeper making a number of saves. A third goal finally came when Omar, under strict instructions to test the keeper, scored expertly from 20 yards. Rockleaze looked to score on the break and Harri had to make one fantastic, last-ditch goal line tackled before the home side pulled one back through a well taken penalty. The Foxes were strong throughout with the back four as hard working as ever, Sonny fitting in well to midfield and threat, and goals, coming from all round the pitch.
Yr 7 BSYL Bishopston Utd 2 - 0 Foxes, 23/02
On a freezing day the Foxes lost out to Bishopston in a game where we dominated possession but just couldn't score. Bishopston scored a goal in both halves, both well taken, the first stabbed in from outside the area as three players chased for a loose ball and the second as the ball bounced around the area before falling to the Bishopston player's feet.
The Foxes played some lovely passing football, using the large playing area to good effect but just couldn't get the goals their performance deserved.
The Foxes played some lovely passing football, using the large playing area to good effect but just couldn't get the goals their performance deserved.
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