FOXES PLAY THEIR SOCKS OFF IN OXON
65
miles from Bristol, deep in the Oxfordshire countryside, Carterton Town FC host
a lovely girls' tournament. Visitors like the Foxes U12s are welcome, but if
they keep taking away the trophies, that may change...
On
a classic British summer's day - leaden skies and steady drizzle - the mighty
Foxes retained the trophy they won so dramatically last year (*see blog
9/6/14). Strictly speaking, they won the U12s trophy after winning the U11s
last year, but you get the idea. After a total of 84 minutes of football, and a
start which even local slugs were calling sluggish, the "trophy
cabinet" was further crammed with another shiny cup and winners' shields
for everyone.
A
strong 8-Fox squad travelled across the Cotswolds. Very welcome debutante Zoe
was joined by Amelia, Ella B, Sim, Lulu, Rhiannon, Molly and Mara. They were
accompanied by a vital ninth member of the squad, "Big Gaz" Gazebo,
signed from Argos for £35. Some said she was "too green" for this
level, but others thought that she could "do a job" for the Foxes and
stand up to everything the elements might throw at her. So it proved, as she
combined well with the Beswetherick tent to keep everyone (and Mara's lucky
piggies) warm and dry between games.
Coaches
Graham and Mark emphasised the importance of flying out of the blocks, getting
shots on target and landing the first blow in the fleeting nine minute group
games. So the first three were drawn 0-0. "To be fair", as the
pundits say when damning with faint praise, this was down to a combination of
bad luck, comedy finishing and over-complication in the final third. In one
game keeper Lulu didn't touch the ball, or even see it enter her half. In
others, shots were snatched at, scuffed into keepers' arms or blasted over.
Would it be one of those days?
Lift-off,
in the manner of the fighter jets roaring above nearby RAF Brize Norton, was
achieved in game 4, against a decent Ashton Keynes side. Only Ella B knows
whether her medium-paced ball from outside the box was intended as a through
pass, but through it rolled into the corner of the net. Sim added a second to
clinch the game and the Foxes were in business. Surely the goals would start
flowing now?
Two
more 0-0s followed.
"To
be fair", the Foxes were now playing some strong teams and some attractive
football to boot. Rhiannon's hypnotic mazy dribbles were tormenting the
finest of the Oxfordshire league. Lulu had resumed her controlling outfield
presence, unleashing the occasional screamer. Stand-in goalie Amelia looked a
natural for the role, and the mighty minis Mara and Ella were dancing down the
wings. Molly, shrugging off her pre-tournament sleepiness, was wide awake and
moving the ball well with boot and throw- ins. Zoe was blending seamlessly with
her new team mates.
The
last of seven group games had to be won to ensure easy qualification for the
semis. The Foxes saved their best for it, winning 3-1 after shrugging off a
surprise equaliser and first goal conceded. Zoe had earlier burst through on a
Rhiannon through ball to blast in her first Foxes goal, and later Mara finished
beautifully "mit dem linken Fuß*!" (*left peg), as Christoph
might have said. Sim added a clinically struck third and the Foxes were through
as no. 2 seeds.
Next
up were last year's finalists, Witney's Tower Hill Vixens. A close and sporting
contest was settled when Lulu launched a high looping shot goalwards, only for the
keeper' parry to be met by a vicious Sim volley straight past her.
The
final was against a strong Bishop's Cleeve side from the Gloucester league, who
had won most of their group games and always looked likely finalists. Playing
against the wind in the first of two six minute halves, the Foxes settled to
their task quickly, moving the ball well and withstanding the dangerous Cleeve
set pieces. They got their reward soon afterwards, when Sim latched on to a
swift midfield one-two to drive the ball low into the bottom right corner.
Changing
ends for the second half, the Foxes controlled the rest of the game, with
tireless chasing and forward pressure, and Rhiannon clearing or dribbling the
ball out of defence when any danger threatened. Zoe was a constant presence and
menace in the opposition half, and the Foxes could have sealed it when a Sim
shot hit off the post, then the keeper, then fell to Ella who narrowly missed.
But it didn't matter. Amelia "The Rock" was not troubled further in
goal, and the RAF ref blew for full time. Cue wild celebrations, hugs and
smiles all round. The rain had even stopped too.
So
it was a happy return to Carterton, and a second trophy of the season. It would
be invidious to pick one 'girl of the tournament'. Every single Fox was at her
best and made a huge contribution, on the field and off the bench. Not one
grumble was heard about the weather. We shall return, and go for the
"three-peat" next year...
Captain
of the Day: Sim
Player
of the Tournament: The Gazebo/Mara's Piggies (jointly)
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