Sunday 29 September 2013

BSYL U11 WPF greens 2, Totterdown 11

Totterdown were convincing winners thanks to goals from Callum, 4, Harry, 3, Jack, 2, and Alfie, 2. Totterdown showed discipline and creativity in equal measure and created a number of well-worked chances from both wings. Consolation goals for the Foxes in the second half came from Josh and Ayman.

BSYL U11 Sefton Park 2, Westbury Park Foxes White 1

On a compact pitch the match started with both teams battling hard for the ball, Sefton Park got the first break through half way into the half to lead at half time. Westbury Park Foxes White battled hard and hit the cross bar, then equalised with a well worked goal from Eliot Smith. The rest of the game was end to end stuff with both teams have chances, but Sefton Park scored the winner.

Monday 23 September 2013

BSYL Yr 8 - Foxes 3 -1 Wickwar FC, 21/09

Last season's league champions, Wickwar, visited the cup winners in an early season test of form. It was the year 8's first home game of the season and encouraged by familiar surroundings, we started the brighter and much of the first 15 minutes was played in the Wickwar half. An early shout for a hand ball in the penalty box was turned down, the only reason possible being that the referee was unsighted, and other half chances came and went.

It was, however,the visitors who came closest to scoring with a free kick hitting the bar before their forward skied the rebound before, with 10 minutes of the half to go, they seized on a long ball and scored with a well taken break away goal. Having been behind in the last two games the Foxes knew they could get back into the game and that the first gaol of the second half was going to be crucial. So it proved as Omar delicately lobbed the advancing Wickwar keeper to bring the teams level within the first two minutes. After that the Foxes seized the initiative and dominated the game. Several more half chances came and a great reflex save by the Wickwar keeper kept a great shot from Sam at bay. The tension built but eventually a well-deserved second goal came for the Foxes as Jack reacted quickest from an Ollie C corner and headed the ball home. The game was wrapped up as Jack, again, scored this time with a lovely left foot shot.

An exciting game ended 3-1 with the all the Foxes players making significant contributions but Harri was singled out as the man of the match.

Sunday 22 September 2013

BGL U11 Westbury Park Foxes 2 v 1 AEK Boco Red

A squad reduced by illness to 8 lined up for the third match of the season at home to Boco Red. The Foxes were without leading striker Sim, and elected to move Lulu to the back, with Rhiannon slotting into central midfield. Lily took on the striker role with usual wingers Ella and Mara. It was apparent before kick off that the Boco Reds were going to be a significant physical threat, with our front line looking dwarfed by the opposition! The Foxes started brightly, and the tactical formation seemed to work as the girls started to pass the ball better, and use the width of the pitch. Most of the play was in the opposition half, but when the ball made it into the box the tall Boco defence were quick to use their physical advantage to clear, and the away 'keeper was quick to pounce on any loose balls. Eventually the Foxes territorial possession told and the goal predictabley came from a Lulu corner that Mara did well to bundle in at the far post. This spurred the opposition, who, with the benefit of multiple rolling subs, were able to keep a high tempo, and managed to hit the Foxes on the break, calling Betty into a fine double save. The green and whites were able to resume control, and ended the half unlucky not to be further ahead, as Lulu sent a free kick just wide, and then had a stone wall penalty appeal turned down. The second half started in disaster, for the home team, as a speculative punt from the opposition goalie was followed by a lone striker who was able to run through 4 Foxes without challenge to slot cooly past the advancing Betty. The Foxes rolled up their sleeves, and, with Lily returning for Bea, the Foxes went straight on the attack, with great linkup play from the front 4 seeing Mara claim a second goal. This time the Foxes held their concentration, tracking back when needed and making great forward runs that could have seen the lead extended. So the match finished 2-1. Another hard fought victory, when, on another day, we could have scored a hat full. All deserve great credit for the way they battled much bigger opposition and kept running for 60 minutes. Captain of the Day: Amelia Girl of the Game: Ella

Tuesday 17 September 2013

BGL U11 Downend Saints 1 v 2 Westbury Park Foxes Girls

The Foxes consolidated 3 place in the BGL with a hard fought victory over Downend. Miserable conditions, especially for a coach who forgot his waterproofs, and a small pitch, did not make for great football. The foxes gave a debut to Millie, who as tradition dictates, took the captains armband for the day. The early exchanges saw the foxes being harried, often over hitting passes and not spreading the play effectively. Nerves were calmed when a good move was rounded off by a blistering shot from Lily who had started off up front. The Saints were restricted to the middle of the pitch with Amelia and Millie providing excellent defensive cover. Sim came on for Lily and the Foxes soon doubled the lead as she calmly slotted home after more good passing play. Downend were not out of it though, and with the Foxes committing too many forward, they were undone as the foxes goal was undone by sheer numbers. Downend pressed again and were denied by a fine save from Betty. The half finished 2-1, and with conditions rapidly deteriorating, the foxes went after the killer goal. Despite hitting the post twice and having a shot tipped over, there were no additions to the score and the Foxes ran out winners. Better passing and covering by the midfield will be required, but results are going our way,and everyone continues to improve. Next week will be a tough test against Boco Reds. Captain of the Week and Girl of the Game both went to Millie. Well done!

Monday 16 September 2013

GFA Cup Year 8 - Pucklechurch Youth FC 2 – 2 Foxes (1-3 on penalties), 15/09/13

Sunday saw another fixture, this time in the GFA Cup. For the second time in two days the Foxes started the game playing up a slope and into the wind and for the second time entered half time 2-0 down. Both goals were well taken and resulted from long through balls to the home team’s strikers. The score line could have been worse but for great work from Jacob, Harri, Ollie K and Nick at the back and Owen, restored to goal in the absence of Archie, having a blinder which included a couple of one-on-one blocks and a brilliant penalty save. Even against the slope the Foxes created pressure and chances but were kept out through a combination of brave keeping and defending.

The wind picked up in the second half and this helped the Foxes pen the home side in their own half. Great strikes from Sonny (a left foot lob) and Omar levelled the score. Danny drew a fine save from their keeper, who then almost handed us a win as an Ollie C cross slipped through his hands but rolled the wrong side of the post.

So to penalties.

Sam won the toss and decided that we would take the first one. Danny coolly slotted his, before Owen saved yet again. 1-0 to the Foxes. Sonny missed. Owen saved. Still 1-0. Omar missed and Pucklechurch finally beat Owen. 1-1. Ollie C had no problems with his and when Pucklechurch lifted their fourth penalty over the bar it was left to Captain Lawes to seal the win with a well taken spot-kick. 3-1 to the Foxes. So the weekend ended on a high.

Two good performances in which the Foxes refused to give up and continued to compete to the final whistle. The cup game saw a squad full of great performances with Jacob being selected as man of the match for a faultless display at full-back.

BSYL Year 8 - Bishopston Utd 2 – 0 Foxes, 14/09/13

The start of a tough weekend for the U13s, with a league game on Saturday followed by a GFA game on the Sunday, ended in frustration at the hands of Bishopston. The game was played on a lovely surface and with the sun on the players’ backs.

As with the corresponding fixture last season, the game was even throughout with the Foxes creating just as much pressure and just as many chances as the home side but coming away with no reward for their efforts. Bishopston took the lead early in first half when a well struck corner carried to the far post and was met on the half volley for a very well taken goal. The Foxes pressed and perhaps the best chance fell to Jack whose shot hit the keeper and bounced wide of the post. Just before the break the Foxes were guilty of standing off their tackles which allowed the Bishopston striker a jinking run and a good shot to leave Archie with no chance.

Perhaps the critical moment of the game came early in the second half when playing with the slope and a slight breeze the Foxes won a penalty, which Danny struck well on to the underside of the bar but when the ball came down it bounced out rather than in and Sam could not put the rebound away. The second half saw the Foxes pressing and the home side restricted to breakaways which the defence and Archie dealt with comfortably. However, despite the pressure the score line remained unchanged.

Sam was man of the match for tireless performance leading the attack.

BSYL Yr 8 - Ashley Down 1 - 3 Westbury Park Foxes, 07/09/13

The U13s started their season with a hard fought win against a competitive Ashley Down. Both sides looked a little rusty in the first half but the Foxes led through a scrambled goal by Omar. The game was pretty even throughout with the Foxes defence, in particular Harri on his birthday, keeping the home side at bay. An Ashley Down handball on the goal line led to a penalty which was well saved and cleared, but only for Nick to score from distance. Ashley Down kept pressing and a breakaway goal brought them back into it before Omar crowned a man of the match performance to seal the win for the Foxes. Thanks to Maggs and Allen for their sponsorship of the year 8's kit.

Sunday 8 September 2013

WPF Girls u11 3 v 1 Portishead Town

The BGL got underway this morning with the girls facing a tricky home tie to Portishead.
Freshly armed with our new 'Respect' barrier, (although unable to get it into the unusually dry ground), we set up on the slightly enlarged pitch.
The Foxes gave a debut to Rhiannon, who rejoined from the academy this year, slotting into the defence allowing Lulu to sit at the base of the diamond. The Foxes were otherwise familiar with Amelia in front of Betty between the sticks, Ella and Mara on the wings and Sim upfront. Ruby, Molly and Lily started on the bench.
It would be fair to say that the Foxes looked a little rusty after only 1 training session since the summer tournaments, and Portishead clearly had a plan to stop Sim, and to counter attack with a lively looking number 15 on the wing.
The Foxes had the better of the early exchanges with Sim going close. Then a Foxes corner was well worked short enabling Lulu to curl a wonder goal into the top corner from outside the box.
More good work by the Foxes forced another corner which was whipped in by Lulu beating the 'keeper at the near post. Lily replaced Ella, and soon the Foxes were 3-0 up as again Portishead failed to deal with a corner with a defender deflecting into the net. Portishead responded with a couple of good attacks forcing fine saves from Betty.
Half time meant changes, with Molly replacing Rhiannon. Playing up the slope meant more possession conceded, although it looked like it would take something to breech the Foxes, but that's what happened as the Foxes allowed the lively 15 to run unopposed to the edge of the box before letting fly into the far corner. Ruby came on a right back and showed determination in breaking up several Portishead attacks.
Rhiannon returned onto the left side of midfield, and showed some fine skills on the ball, threading a pass to Ella that was well saved by the away goalie.
No further goals meant the game finished 3-1 to the Foxes. A good result and I am sure that the passing game will improve with regular practice.

Captain of the week: Rhiannon
Girl of the Game: Lulu