Bale? No, Vale..in Wales!

 English international tournament success shock

Vale Ladies FC Girls Tournament, Barry RFC, Vale of Glamorgan - 26th June 2016

The U13 girl Foxes crossed the Channel - the Bristol Channel - to claim perhaps their most impressive tournament victory yet.

A brave debut last year in this friendly event had seen the Foxes pipped by hosts Vale in the final. This time a strong squad of 10 travelled west of Cardiff, on a distinctly chilly and damp November June morning, with the aim of going one better. With 12 teams in 3 groups of 4, the girls faced two of Vale's 4 teams, and strong local outfit Sully Sports, in the 20 minute pool games. For once - and in sharp contrast to last year's opening shambles - the green and white hoops were quickly out of the blocks, with a comprehensive 6-0 win in the opener. Sully Sports provided stiffer opposition. After the Foxes had gone 3-0 up, with a 20 yard screamer from Emily H, levels dropped and Sully twice nipped through the defence to bring it back to 3-2. A late Zoe strike settled nerves to secure a win which ensured they would top the group. The final game against Vale No. 2 saw a sluggish start, until - not for the first time on this day - the Foxes played better going up the (severe) pitch slope in the second half to ease through 3-0.

During the lunch break the girls refuelled, also befriending "Buddy the Dog", the mascot from the local radio station "Bro FM", whose kid-and-parent friendly mix of current pop hits and 80s classics even led to a brief outbreak of moonwalking...

It was back to business in a tough semi-final against AFC Porth, a small but highly skilled local side. The Foxes steadied nerves early on when Lulu, as she has been known to do before, floated one in straight from a corner. Porth equalised with a stunning scissor volley from a long free kick and it was game on.

 But the battling Foxes dug in and Zoe was put through to strike yet again and secure a 2-1 victory.

The “Severnside derby” final looked a daunting prospect. Cardiff City Ladies FC are the South Wales Girls League champions, having lost only one game all season. They had not conceded a goal in the tournament, and had despatched hosts and holders Vale Dragons in the other semi. They looked a formidable outfit, and probably expected to win..

They had reckoned without Bristol's finest. With every challenge over the pitch fiercely but fairly contested, Cardiff soon knew they were in a game. The Foxes went close from the kick off, and soon a devastating swift counter-attack initiated by Rhiannon put the "ZoeSim" strike force in to take the lead. Then ZoeSim combined brilliantly again to double it by half time.

Pressing for a comeback, but being repeatedly repelled by the iron tackling and ball winning of Lulu and the Foxes' swift and powerful "RhiLaurEm" defensive unit, Cardiff left themselves open for a sucker punch. Sim released Zoe yet again, to net the third and send the Bristol fans wild.

It wasn't over yet. Cardiff got one back with a long range screamer, then another from close range after a series of late corners. The stopwatch ticked past full time, and still the game went on. One final effort was repelled, the whistle went and jubilation ensued.

There is not enough space to record the scorers of all the goals (18 - both Zoe and Sim scored a lot), or to give enough praise to each of the ten girls (Amelia, Molly, Sim, Zoe, Rhiannon, Lulu, Mara, Ella B, Lauren, Emily H) who lifted the trophy. Every single one played their part and contributed a magic moment at some point, whether starting or coming off the bench. Special mentions must go to our outstanding and selfless goalies Amelia and Ella B, who donned the gloves, grasped the complex rules and displayed some great handling and saving skills. Lauren's effortlessly calm defending and control, and Emily H's fearless facing up to some of our opponents' most dangerous attackers, further laid the foundations for success.

This was an enjoyable, sporting and friendly event played to a high standard. Now if only they could fix the weather....