A chocolate bar, today (match photos not available).

A sweet opening victory, but a few sticky moments

Fry Club FC 2 Westbury Park Foxes U14 Girls 6 : 4th September 2016

The long wait was over. After literally days without football, and long lazy summer holidays seemingly without an end (at least for parents), the Foxes were finally back in action with a tricky away match at league debutants Fry Club FC. They might not make chocolate there anymore, but they still have massive playing fields. Under cool Autumn skies and a strong breeze, a squad of 13 girl Foxes took on a strong side formed from former Boco and Longwell Green teams.

The Foxes had the best of the opening exchanges, and were soon 2-0 up when pressure applied on the Fry defence and keeper resulted in a couple of close range tap-ins from Sim. The Foxes possession, slick passing and movement continued throughout the half. Further chances were narrowly dragged wide or blasted over. But then, just to emphasise the challenge of 11 a side this season, and the need for vigilance at set pieces, a partly cleared corner was volleyed in from distance by a Fry striker to make the score just 2-1 at half time. How would the Foxes respond?

Shortly after the restart, the spectators' attention was diverted by the sight of a lovely old steam train rattling through Keynsham. Luckily the girls' focus was on the football, and Zoe drove through the Fry defence to knock in the third, while many parents were still watching the choo-choo. She added a similar fourth shortly afterwards to make the game safe. From there on, the Foxes' speed and skill began to take its toll. Rhiannon, Ella and Zoe began regularly to run and pass through the Fry defence on the right. A particularly slick combination culminated in a mazy Rhiannon dribble and cut back to the waiting Olivia, who blasted in the fifth. Zoe got her well deserved hat trick from another gallop through the tiring opposition. Further goals could have followed but for the brave Fry keeper and the goalpost. Fry pulled back a late consolation when the Foxes failed to clear a bouncing ball in the box, but overall it was a good win against much improved, battling and always sporting opponents.

There were many positives to take from this opener. New-ish recruits Georgia, Olivia and Abby slotted in effortlessly, with Abby magnificent alongside Lauren and Emily in defence, and especially in the air - we finally have someone who can head the ball! Mara showed a welcome physical edge to her play on the left wing, holding off bigger opponents while regularly going past them. The Zoe/Sim strike force showed at times terrifying pace and power, amply supported by the deft crosses and flick-ons of Ella and Molly. Everyone else contributed fully, on and off the bench - it was as if they'd never been away. And many thanks to our stand-in goalies Amelia, Lulu and Emily. The rumours that Betty has gone out on loan to Serie A in Italy are thankfully untrue, and she will return next week.

Many teams will struggle against this strong Fry team, so an away win and six goals was a good start. Chocolate deserved all round, we think.....

Hat trick hotshot: Zoe

Girl of the Game: Abby