Defeat in this game and the Foxes' 11 a-side season would be over. Despite sitting top of the League, the fact that Wickwar have two games in hand, either of which should allow them to acquire the points they need to take the title meant that the Cup was the home side's realistic hope of silverware.
The boys were reminded to enjoy the game - a perfect pitch, a blue sky, a strong opposition and playing as part of a very talented team in a Cup game is about as good as it gets - and quite clearly they took that message to heart. A bit of a tactical shuffle at the start to take into account Wickwar's man-marking of Omar worked a treat as the Foxes dominated the first 30 minutes, playing positive, passing football which resulted in two well-taken goals by Dom Riley and a couple of other chances that could have been taken. At the other end Wickwar's more direct style caused few problems although Owen was forced to amke one good block.
Wickwar pushed players forward at the start of the second half and looked to drive the Foxes back. Owen was called on to make two or three good saves - one down to his left was exceptional - but as Wickwar pressed it allowed the Foxes chances of their own and the game could have been closed out earlier than it was. As it turned out, Wickwar grabbed one back as a midfielder reacted first to a long shot and a good save to bundle the ball home.
On the side-lines memories surfaced of last year's Cup semi-final, where the Foxes let a two goal lead slip but the boys didn't allow any nerves to affect them and Omar grabbed a third after yet another great team move. Even more chances came and went, with at least two goal line clearances by Wickwar before, with minutes to go, a scramble led to a second for the away side. Nerves did kick in at this point and when, in the last minute, Owen had no choice but to handle a back pass, the visitors had an indirect free kick in the penalty box, The kick was taken and blocked and the ref ordered it to be retaken. Same routine. Same outcome. The ball was cleared and celebrations ensued.
On the day the Foxes were too good for Wickwar. We didn't kill the game as we should and the visitors never gave up, but the team-spirit, the quality of the football and the discipline over 80 minutes meant that the Foxes deserved their win. Performances were strong throughout the team, with the bench providing quality and fresh legs throughout. Dom Riley was Coaches' Player and Owen Players' Player but in truth the coaches would have happily given an award to each and everyone of the squad. Great performance and a great bunch of lads.
Now the semi-final....C'mon the Foxes.
Saturday 19 March 2016
Monday 7 March 2016
Wotton Rovers 2 v 1 Westbury Park Foxes
Title hopes dashed in harsh defeat!
After a return to football and a win last week it was make or break time for the Foxes as they headed up to Wotton, knowing that only a victory would be good enough to keep the title hope alive.
The small sloping pitch, and even smaller goals clearly did not suit either side. The Foxes started down the hill, and had to maintain shape and stay organised as Wotton enjoyed the early territorial advantage.
The Foxes soon grew into the game and started to attack the narrow flanks, with good runs from Ella and Mara, supported by Emily and Rhi.
Zoe's attempts to find space worked well going forward, but the Foxes were guilty of surrendering the midfield to the dangerous Wotton pairing.
Worryingly the Foxes were forced into an early change as Emily suffered a hamstring injury, with the versatile Milly joining the defence.
The steadily improving Foxes started to open up the home team and a well worked play down the right caused panic in the home defence. The defender handled the cross and Zoe stepped up to smash home the resulting penalty. 1-0 and the Foxes were deservedly ahead.
Further injury problems for the Foxes meant Ella had to come off, with Lauren coming on to the left and Mara switching flanks.
The Foxes rode the inevitable Wotton pressure, before a breakaway saw Sim charging towards the box only to be cynically felled by the defender, resulting a further injury and substitution.
The 3 enforced changes and subsequent positional rearrangements were always going to be difficult to cope with against such strong opposition, and Wotton showed intent as they played the striker in and only a world class save from the Foxes keeper, diving right prevented the equaliser.
Having indicated that the half was in the final minute, it came as a surprise when play was allowed to continue and Wotton mounted a further attack that this time the Foxes were powerless to repel.
So 1-1 at the break, and time to reorganise!
Needing to win the ball in midfield, the Foxes removed a wide player and pushed Milly into central midfield. The Foxes played out a superb half of determined football, unleashing wave after wave of attacks up the hill, only to be thwarted repeatedly by the quagmire on the edge of the box, causing strikers to lose footing just as they were ready to hit the ball. A rare Wotton attack resulted in a corner and eventual heartbreak for the Foxes as the ball ballooned skywards off a boot and rebounded off the body of a Wotton player over the goal line!
The Foxes never gave up with Emily and Mara tirelessly feeding Zoe down the left, Rhiannon charging down the right, Milly scrapping for everything in the middle and Amelia and Lulu stopping any breakaway by the home side in their tracks.
Sadly all the endeavour was in vain. Wotton will win the league, and are a strong team, but the result today was harsh on the Foxes, who deserved at least a point from a game they dominated for long periods.
All of the coaches heaped praise on a team that had left everything on the pitch, but had not had the luck they deserved.
Focus next week turns to the Cup, before a return to the congested league fixtures. On this form though there is still a pastry laden buffet spot with our name on it!
Captain of the Week : Rhiannon
Girls of the Game: All of them!
After a return to football and a win last week it was make or break time for the Foxes as they headed up to Wotton, knowing that only a victory would be good enough to keep the title hope alive.
The small sloping pitch, and even smaller goals clearly did not suit either side. The Foxes started down the hill, and had to maintain shape and stay organised as Wotton enjoyed the early territorial advantage.
The Foxes soon grew into the game and started to attack the narrow flanks, with good runs from Ella and Mara, supported by Emily and Rhi.
Zoe's attempts to find space worked well going forward, but the Foxes were guilty of surrendering the midfield to the dangerous Wotton pairing.
Worryingly the Foxes were forced into an early change as Emily suffered a hamstring injury, with the versatile Milly joining the defence.
The steadily improving Foxes started to open up the home team and a well worked play down the right caused panic in the home defence. The defender handled the cross and Zoe stepped up to smash home the resulting penalty. 1-0 and the Foxes were deservedly ahead.
Further injury problems for the Foxes meant Ella had to come off, with Lauren coming on to the left and Mara switching flanks.
The Foxes rode the inevitable Wotton pressure, before a breakaway saw Sim charging towards the box only to be cynically felled by the defender, resulting a further injury and substitution.
The 3 enforced changes and subsequent positional rearrangements were always going to be difficult to cope with against such strong opposition, and Wotton showed intent as they played the striker in and only a world class save from the Foxes keeper, diving right prevented the equaliser.
Having indicated that the half was in the final minute, it came as a surprise when play was allowed to continue and Wotton mounted a further attack that this time the Foxes were powerless to repel.
So 1-1 at the break, and time to reorganise!
Needing to win the ball in midfield, the Foxes removed a wide player and pushed Milly into central midfield. The Foxes played out a superb half of determined football, unleashing wave after wave of attacks up the hill, only to be thwarted repeatedly by the quagmire on the edge of the box, causing strikers to lose footing just as they were ready to hit the ball. A rare Wotton attack resulted in a corner and eventual heartbreak for the Foxes as the ball ballooned skywards off a boot and rebounded off the body of a Wotton player over the goal line!
The Foxes never gave up with Emily and Mara tirelessly feeding Zoe down the left, Rhiannon charging down the right, Milly scrapping for everything in the middle and Amelia and Lulu stopping any breakaway by the home side in their tracks.
Sadly all the endeavour was in vain. Wotton will win the league, and are a strong team, but the result today was harsh on the Foxes, who deserved at least a point from a game they dominated for long periods.
All of the coaches heaped praise on a team that had left everything on the pitch, but had not had the luck they deserved.
Focus next week turns to the Cup, before a return to the congested league fixtures. On this form though there is still a pastry laden buffet spot with our name on it!
Captain of the Week : Rhiannon
Girls of the Game: All of them!
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