Storming Foxes So Close to Welsh Upset
Under 12 girls runners-up at Vale Ladies FC Tournament
Inspired by England's Lionesses, an eight-girl Foxes squad made their first foray into international competition..over the bridge to the Vale Ladies FC tournament in Barry. Welcome last minute recruits Molly and Mara joined Lulu, Rhiannon, Amelia, Ella B, Emily H and (in her final competitive Foxes outing!) Daisy A.
With blue skies, sunshine and an incredible 15 teams taking part, everything looked set fair for an exciting day. The coaches had repeatedly emphasised the importance of the swift start in tournament football. Get there in good time. Come out of the blocks quickly. Score early. Don't draw the opener 0-0.
Well, one out of four wasn't bad. With half the squad facing parking difficulties and arriving 10 minutes before kick off against the mighty Vale Girls Dragons - unbeaten champions of South Wales and tournament hosts - the Foxes effortlessly avoided a goalless draw. Insufficiently tight coverage of the hosts' lethal strike force led to the concession of four goals, two in each half. It was a record club defeat in any competitive game, and the worst possible start. But in the words of the 80s pop hit blaring out of the PA system, The Only Way (was) Up...
With Amelia in goal, and Daisy thrown forward as lone striker, it was an unconventional Foxes line-up which took time to gel. But game by game, it did. First Port Talbot Pumas were edged 1-0 when the Foxes began to string their passes together to feed Daisy, who blasted home from close range. The mighty minis Mara and Ella B were beginning to beat players down the wings. Rhiannon and Emily H established a rapport in defence and took turns to rampage forward. By the time they took the lead against Llantwit Fardre, with more neat passing and a Daisy finish, everything and everyone was clicking into place. And then.....
With Amelia in goal, and Daisy thrown forward as lone striker, it was an unconventional Foxes line-up which took time to gel. But game by game, it did. First Port Talbot Pumas were edged 1-0 when the Foxes began to string their passes together to feed Daisy, who blasted home from close range. The mighty minis Mara and Ella B were beginning to beat players down the wings. Rhiannon and Emily H established a rapport in defence and took turns to rampage forward. By the time they took the lead against Llantwit Fardre, with more neat passing and a Daisy finish, everything and everyone was clicking into place. And then.....
First the sun went away. Then the skies darkened. A tornado-like pillar of dark cloud moved in off the Severn. Strange, swirling winds blew plastic cups and programmes across the ground. The seagulls had seen enough and flocked to ground. Then came the gale, deluge and lightning. Despite the simultaneous efforts of five adults, it was too late to save "Big Gaz" the Gazebo, who sustained a tragic career-ending clean break after just a few weeks of service. Meanwhile on the pitch, the girls closed out another 1-0 win and everyone dashed for the cover of campervan and clubhouse as play was suspended.
Staying dry and taking on sustenance the way elite athletes do - with Amelia and Dave's chips and curry sauce a particular highlight - the Foxes were back on the pitch an hour later in a 'must win' game against Port Talbot B. When Daisy was sent flying in the box, Lulu's blasted penalty was parried by the keeper. But time, and most of the players, seemed to stand still as Mara netted the winning rebound.
After literally minutes of deliberations, it emerged that the Foxes were still alive, despite their initial 4-0 gubbing and negative goal difference. As best runners-up, they would join the three group winners in the semi-finals. Next up were the very useful and powerful Vale Girls "Caerau" team (Welsh for "fort"). By now, the whole team were tackling, running and passing with impressive fluidity, with the neat passing triangles of Lulu, Mara and Daisy causing panic, Molly snuffing out through balls in midfield and Amelia now settled in comfortably between the sticks. Sadly, after an injury from a hefty challenge, the brave Ella B's tournament was over, so the Foxes were down to seven with no more subs. On the pitch, Daisy was sent in twice, once by some neat interplay down the wing, then by a carefully placed strategic long pass (not a 'long ball') from Lulu, for a 2-0 win. Incredibly, the Foxes were in another final.
The hosts must have been fancying their chances, and licking their chops, when they learned that their final opponents would be the 4-0 whipping girls from 10 o'clock that morning. They hadn't lost a game or conceded a goal in the tournament. And it was their home patch, although the pitch for the final did look as if it had hosted a local dairy herd for some (very) light grazing.
What a difference a few hours, a lightning storm, a lunch break and some confidence makes. Vale's only sight of goal in the whole match came in the 2nd minute, when a miscued goal kick was returned with interest for them to take the lead. After that, there was only one team in it, as an inspired Foxes side passed and dribbled around their distinguished opponents. Emily H frequently broke from defence, once beating four players down the left wing. The best move of the game sent Daisy in, to rifle a shot towards the bottom right corner...only to see the brilliant Vale keeper palm it around the post. The pressure continued, even after the teams changed ends and the Foxes kicked up the slope. Reward came when a Mara header was parried by raised arms and a penalty was awarded. Lulu's strike was stupendous but rattled the crossbar, and her follow-up was pushed agonisingly wide of the post. The pressure and chances continued, including a late shout for another handball in the box, but it was not to be.
Vale Dragons had won their own tournament, as they probably expected at the outset, and deserved overall on the day - but they had been given an almighty scare from across the Severn. It would not be four tournament wins in a row for the Foxes, but a smart runners-up plate, ice creams and trophies all round were a good reward for some of their best football of the season. This was a tournament of the very highest standard. "Byddwn yn dychwelyd", as they say in these parts. We shall return....
The hosts must have been fancying their chances, and licking their chops, when they learned that their final opponents would be the 4-0 whipping girls from 10 o'clock that morning. They hadn't lost a game or conceded a goal in the tournament. And it was their home patch, although the pitch for the final did look as if it had hosted a local dairy herd for some (very) light grazing.
What a difference a few hours, a lightning storm, a lunch break and some confidence makes. Vale's only sight of goal in the whole match came in the 2nd minute, when a miscued goal kick was returned with interest for them to take the lead. After that, there was only one team in it, as an inspired Foxes side passed and dribbled around their distinguished opponents. Emily H frequently broke from defence, once beating four players down the left wing. The best move of the game sent Daisy in, to rifle a shot towards the bottom right corner...only to see the brilliant Vale keeper palm it around the post. The pressure continued, even after the teams changed ends and the Foxes kicked up the slope. Reward came when a Mara header was parried by raised arms and a penalty was awarded. Lulu's strike was stupendous but rattled the crossbar, and her follow-up was pushed agonisingly wide of the post. The pressure and chances continued, including a late shout for another handball in the box, but it was not to be.
Vale Dragons had won their own tournament, as they probably expected at the outset, and deserved overall on the day - but they had been given an almighty scare from across the Severn. It would not be four tournament wins in a row for the Foxes, but a smart runners-up plate, ice creams and trophies all round were a good reward for some of their best football of the season. This was a tournament of the very highest standard. "Byddwn yn dychwelyd", as they say in these parts. We shall return....
Captain of the tournament: Amelia
Girl of the tournament: Daisy, leaving for pastures new but always a Fox and friend.
