Wednesday 27 November 2013

Year 2 Foxes v Golden Hill Sonics (Away)

The return clash between these two evenly matched sides was eagerly awaited by the Foxes U7s. Twenty two signed up for the away day at a frosty Golden Hill Sports Ground so yet again it was two Foxes teams facing up to two from the Sonics.

Slightly smaller pitches and much smaller goals meant that chances and goals were at a premium. It was a morning of resolute defending topped off by goals from Josh and Ambrose. Morgan, Charlie and Elliot were the rocks at the back with Matthew and Toby especially impressive between the sticks.

As the morning came to a close, Foxes tried a new tactic, three subs, warned to get ready to come on, jumped the gun and charged into the midfield melee that masquerades as a Year 2 match. Unfortunately the hoops couldn't press home their three man numerical advantage and order was restored by a much delayed successful conclusion to the substitution ordeal. The Coach's blood pressure may take a while to recover.

It was hearts in mouth's time on two occassions with the clock ticking past full time. Sonics threw everything forward, in one game Toby pulled off a great save and the Foxes goal survived intact in the midst of a ten man scramble. In the other game all looked lost until Charlie appeared from nowhere to block a goal bound effort that would have been harsh on the Foxes battlers.

Player of the week: Charlie - an all round star performance and a goal saving tackle that was out of this world.

Sunday 24 November 2013

BGL u11 Longwell Green Whites 0 v 5 Westbury Park Foxes

Foxes Go Top as Unbeaten Run Continues!

Today marked the half way point of the season, and the Foxes headed back over to Longwell Green to take on the Whites.
Without midfield dynamo Lulu, the Foxes were pleased to welcome back Sim to the squad following her rest last week.
With on call commitments, the reins had been handed to Mark 'Statto' Beswetherick, who put the team through a thorough warm up on a cold muddy pitch.
The Foxes lined up with Betty in goal, Amelia and Molly at the back, with Rhiannon pushed into central midfield. Ella, Mara and Lily formed a 3 girl attack.
With the match underway it was clear that we were up against a defensively minded team who were happy to sit back and try and counter. Whilst the Foxes looked good going forward, we were often outnumbered in the final third, and couldn't find a way past the 'keeper.
Midway through the first half Sim made an entrance, and the extra physicality and pace upfront was rapidly rewarded with 2 goals, the second a screamer from the edge of the box. A further shot was well saved onto the post, but the Foxes ended the half in the ascendency.
The second half saw Mille B and Izzy join the fray at the back, providing a solid platform for the Foxes to attack. Three further goals, 2 more for Sim interspaced by 1 for Mara, were all the result of really smooth passing moves, and there could have been more, with quality through balls the order of the day. Even Amelia got in on the action with a looping shot the 'keeper did well to save!
Betty swapped gloves with Mara for a spell up front as the Foxes ran out deserved winners.

So at the turn the girls remain unbeaten, and have now kept 4 clean sheets on the bounce. Whilst it's still a long way to go, the girls have played fantastically well, and this caps off a great week having qualified for the regional schools tournament last Wednesday.



 Captain of the Week: Izzy
Girl of the Game: Sim


BSYL - Year 8 - Shire Colts 2 - 8 Foxes, 23/11

An enjoyable and competitive game, which was played in the right spirit throughout, produced a score line that did not properly reflect the balance of play. Shire started the brighter and dominated the first 15 minutes of the game. Owen made one excellent save low to his right and Alec later stopped a clear goal opportunity with a last ditch challenge. Against the run of play the Foxes broke and Ollie C scored with a cross-cum-shot that drifted over the keeper's head. Further goals followed as Omar was on hand to grab two and Harri scored with a header from a corner. 4-0 to the Foxes at half-time soon became 5-0 as Sonny found Jack who finished well. Shire then grabbed two well-deserved goals, but with 20 minutes left Ollie C scored his second, quickly followed by a strike from Danny, to stop the comeback. There was enough time for Ollie C to complete his hat trick before the final whistle and secure the win that pushes the Foxes into the top three. Good performances from the whole squad but the Foxes struggled, as a team, to get into a rhythm of play. Raul was impressive with his linking play up front, Nick worked very hard in midfield and all of the back four played well with Ollie K being given the man of the match award.

Sunday 17 November 2013

Year 2 Foxes v Golden Hill Sonics

Under FA Regulations, there are no competitive leagues before Under 10s and to stop any series of friendlies (like ours) being turned into on, we have been reminded by the good people at Wembley Stadium not to publish scores or match reports from which the score can be determined. Honest!I'm thinking that the dictat wasn't just aimed at the excelent Westbury Park Foxes blog but to be honest, I don't know for sure!

So, Matt's scorpion kick penalty save followed by Elliot's mazy dribble during which he beat all seven Sonic players before smashing the ball into the top corner for a well-deserved last minute winner may or may not have acutally happened.

In fact we played four games with the Foxes legion split two ways for games against two good Sonics teams. A notable debut for the Foxes came in the shape of Jessica who made her bow alongside the 23 boys for this one. In the first double header it was clear that Sonics had the edge in one game with the Foxes on top in the other. The highlight of these games was the stout defending by the Foxes with hard and fair tackles flying in from the boys (and girl) at the back. When the defence was breached one of the Foxes team's had their very own sweeper-keeper in Matthew. A fantastic effort between the sticks and one clearance became an assist for a Foxes goal at the other end!

The second set of games were much more evenly balanced and both proved an exciting watch. "Best match we've seen this season" a folically challenged fan was heard to exclaim. And Rich Beale wasn't wrong. Where it was tackles first time around it was goals this time. End to end excitement from first minute to last and one aging ref only just had the puff to blow the full time whistle.

Well done to all the Foxes for another great effort. For the record, net bulging was achieved by Eden (2), Andrew, Omar, Sam, Josh and Charlie. Goalkeeper supreme was Matthew.

Player of the day was Toby. Had a hard time in the first half of his second game but showed true character by coming back and re-joining the fray for the second half.

BGL U11 Longwell Green Blue 0 v 3 Westbury Park Foxes

Foxes continue unbeaten run!

A rare afternoon kick off and difficult traffic meant a hasty warm up for the Foxes.
Squad rotation had seen Sim take a break this week, with Mille and Ella W joining up. So the Foxes lined up with Betty in goal, Amelia and Molly at the back, with Rhiannon and Lulu pushing into midfield along with Mara. Lily occupied the lone striker role.
Conditions were difficult, with a small pitch that had clearly seen plenty of football, with lots of mud on offer.
The Foxes kicked off, and soon were on the offensive, but it became clear  early on that the Longwell keeper was a class act, confidently claiming the ball, and launching kicks deep into the Foxes half.
Whilst the Foxes goal was rarely threatened, we failed to get forward in sufficient numbers to cause too many problems at the other end, and, whilst set pieces from corners were well delivered, there was little end result.
A formation switch introduced Ella B and allowed Rhiannon back into defence, which seemed to suit as she seemed more confident when running the ball out from deep.

Still no way through and the half finished 0-0.

The team talk focused on early shooting and support from midfield when attacking.

The tactics soon paid off, early in the second half, when some great interplay allowed Mara a run through the centre and this time a low drive from just outside the box found the bottom corner. The goal meant the opposition had to try to push forward, and, as the game opened up, the Foxes counter attacking game came to the fore, with a second for Mara. Millie and Ella joined the fray, putting in some assured tackles as Longwell pushed forward trying to get back into the game. The final goal was superb, as Ella chased down a long Lulu throw, beating the defender to the byline before squaring perfectly to Mara, who had followed into the far post, for a simple tap in to complete a well deserved hat trick!
The Foxes saw out the rest of the game for a well deserved victory.

Next week sees a return to Longwell Green to play their white team. Both Arsene and Jose are away, so it looks like Holloway and Klinsmann will be in charge, with a bit of help from Moyes! (you know who you are!)

Captain of the Week: Rhiannon
Girl of the Game: Millie

Year 8 BSYL - Lockleaze 1 - 12 Foxes, 16/11

Westbury Park Foxes started brightly and four early goals from Raul (from a great Ollie C corner), Omar (a fantastic finish from the edge of the area), Danny (deadly from two yards) and Sonny (a lovely free kick into the top corner) settled the outcome in the first 15 minutes. After that the Foxes continued to play with good discipline, keeping their shape and creating chances. Sam scored from another freekick and Jack added a sixth before half time. The second half followed a similar pattern with Jack completing his hatrick, Ollie C scoring two, Harri from the penalty spot and a first of the season for Max. The whole squad contributed to an impressive performance but Jack deserved the man of the match award.

Year 8 BSYL - Foxes 2 - 2 Ashley Down, 09/11

Despite the driving rain it was good to get the game underway on a soggy but playable pitch. The Foxes started the stronger and dominated the first half with Omar and Danny both scoring impressive goals. Perhaps the home side should have made more of their other chances, but a 2-0 lead at half time seemed comfortable. The second half began in a similar way but Ashley Down are a side that have got better and better over the last two seasons and their trademark is never giving up. With 15 minutes to go they scored a penalty and almost immediately levelled the score as the Foxes stood off their tackles, perhaps fearing a repeat decision. The Foxes came back and created pressure and a series of half chances but Ashley Down stood firm for a well deserved point. Foxes man of the match Raul and a special mention to Sonny, who in the absence of Owen was an uncomplaining and able replacement between the sticks.

Sunday 10 November 2013

BGL u11 Westbury Park Foxes 1 v 0 AEK Boco Blue

Foxes maintain unbeaten run with victory over league leaders!

An early pitch inspection led to an arrival with rake in hand to sweep the pitch of leaves and firework debris. Not sure Jose would put up with that.........still we had a shiny new bag of balls to warm up with and the sun was out. All set up for a cracker!

Previous league encounters had not gone our way, but with a couple of tournament wins over Boco Blue confidence was high that this could be our day.
The pre match formalities included a well observed minutes silence, before captain Betty won the toss, to fortunately keep the low sun out of her eyes in the first half. The Foxes, wary of conceding early, opted to play with 3 defenders, Lulu slotting between Rhiannon and Amelia. That meant a lone striker and 2 wide midfielders would have to cover a lot of the pitch.
The Foxes enjoyed early possession and territory, but the tactics worked as Boco were quick to break and support the lone striker, who did a good job of holding the ball up, but found little space to turn and move. The back 3 held fast and set up numerous attacks down the flanks that Boco were happy to shepard out for throw-ins or corners. This was to be their undoing as they failed to deal with a whipped in corner, that Sim swivelled on to poke home from close range. 1-0 to the Foxes!
Boco tried to come back, but the defence held firm, with Betty not really called to save a shot. Rhiannon looked accomplished as she was able to run the ball out of defence to set up further Foxes attacks. An injury to Mara meant the impressive Lily lining up on the left, where she did a stirling job of tenacious tackling and running with the ball.
Half time and 1-0. We reminded the girls to keep focused, remember to get back and defend as Boco would have to attack in the second half.
Issy started the second half as the Foxes dropped to 3 defenders and 3 midfielders, but the formation didn't seem to suit. Molly came on to run the right wing with Ella switching flank, but Boco were looking more dangerous on the break, and forced Betty into a couple of saves.
The Foxes were forced into more changes when Ella tired from all the running came off for a rest. With the changes, the Foxes shape looked better as Lily again moved out wide and Sim returned upfront.
A string of corners penned Boco back in their own half, but they were able to break, and again the Foxes defence held firm, with their best effort well covered by a diving Betty.
So 1-0 the final score, and a thoroughly well deserved victory, against a strong team.
After the game the management stressed to the girls the importance of the whole squad in contributing to a confidence boosting victory!
Captain of the week : Betty
Girl of the Game: Rhiannon

Sunday 3 November 2013

U11 BGL Bristol Ladies Union 0 v 3 Westbury Park Foxes

Foxes maintain the unbeaten run with a tricky away win at Combe Dingle.

On paper this should have been a straight forward match for the Foxes, as the BLUs have suffered with  a small squad following the U10 split from last year. However things are never that easy as the Foxes ran into a determined BLUs side.
The Foxes lined up with an attacking formation, opting to leave the holding midfielder and play with 2 upfront. Part tactical, part Lily's birthday captaincy! The switch looked to have paid dividends, as the Foxes laid siege to the BLU goal, however nobody seemed to have brought their shooting boots, as shots rained wide or straight at the tall Blu's keeper. Committing so many forward left gaps at the back, but the BLU's seemed reluctant to commit bodies forward, and the lone striker was marshalled out of danger by the Foxes defence.
Midway through the first half the break finally came, with Sim converting a chance low to the keepers left. Any thoughts that the floodgates might open came to nought as the Foxes continued to be profligate in front of goal, with some inspired keeping from the BLUs.
Half time, 1-0, and the team talk concentrated on using the width of the pitch and remaining calm in front of goal.
The second half was more open as the BLUs committed more players forward. This suited the Foxes who generally play better on the counter, and soon the pressure told with a further well taken Sim goal. This was rapidly followed by a fine Sim run and square to a waiting Molly who's scuffed shot made its way to Ella for a well taken goal.
Just enough time for Betty to get a quick run out with Rhiannon stepping between the posts before a deluge ended the game. 3- 0.
A good performance, and great practice for the difficult game next week.
Captain of the Day: Lily
Girl of the Game : Ella