9 girls made the trip, Ella W and Ella B, Molly, Lulu, Betty, Mara, Izzy, Lily and Amelia.
The format saw 6 teams play in a league, with the top 4 progressing to semi finals. The opposition consisted of Boco Blues and Whites, Downend Flyers, Tewksbury Town and Cheltenham Spa.
First up for the Foxes was Boco Blue, who narrowly pipped us to the BGL title. A tense end to end game saw the Foxes start slowly before getting into the game. A thundering Lulu free kick from 20 yards smashed into the post, before, with almost the last kick of the game, she curled a corner to the near post that the 'keeper could only parry into the net. 1-0, and a moral boosting first win over our bogy team!
Next up Tewksbury Town, who provided little opposition allowing the Foxes to run riot and get in some much needed shot practice. 7-0.
Boco Whites were up next, and whilst the Foxes had their chances, neither team could find a way through and the game finished scoreless. 0-0.
The impressive looking Cheltenham Spa were the next opposition, which prompted the Foxes into a more defensive set up with Izzy bolstering the defence and Lulu pushing up in the middle behind a front 2. Again the well matched sides both created chances but with the competition's 2 best goalies, ( Betty and Betsy!), on the pitch neither could find a way through. 0-0.
The final game against the ever improving Flyers was again a close game. The Foxes took the lead only for Downend to come straight back and fire an equaliser, causing some nerves on the sideline. Happily the Foxes showed their spirit and started to dominate, forcing a winner to ensure we qualified top of the group. 2-1.
Downend then played out a winner takes all against Boco Whites for the last semi final place, and deservedly went through 1-0.
The semi final format was 1v3 and 2v4, meaning that we would face Boco Blues again in the first semi final.
Sticking with our defensive line up the opening half was cagey with few clear chances for either side. Midway through the second half the game came to life as the Boco striker hit a pile driver towards the top corner from inside the box, only to see Betty pull off save of the century, as she pushed it over the bar! Not wanting a penalty shootout the Foxes coaches decided to go for it and replaced Izzy at the back for Lily upfront, and the change brought instant success as the diminutive striker lashed a shot against the 'keeper that rebounded into the net. The girls played out the game, all dropping deep to prevent any further Boco attack, and we were in the Final. 1-0.
Cheltenham Spa were the other finalists. The Foxes tactic was again to try to win in normal time, starting defensively and then adding forwards towards the end. Betty again made a great triple save, and dived bravely at the feet of the striker, and whilst the introduction of another Foxes forward pushed Spa back, this time we were hit on the break, and despite a couple of chances late on it was not to be on this occasion. 0-1.
Overall a great success, topping the group, making the final and putting our BOCO Blue demons to rest!
Well done to all the squad who all made fantastic contributions to another successful tournament!
