Foxes fragile at first, but find form to fend off feisty Fry by four

Westbury Park Foxes U15 Girls  4

Fry Club FC U15 Girls 0

Sunday 26th November 2017

A very difficult 'spot the ball' competition...

Cough! Splutter! Brrr! The Foxes' warm up did not sound too promising. With seemingly half the squad suffering from various stages of lurgey, and the usually fighting fit Ella and Ellie confined to the bench as a result, what would the doctor order? Eighty minutes on a muddy pitch, strafed by an icy south-westerly wind, of course.

The coaches hoped that once they crossed the barely-visible white line, the ailing Foxes would perk up and get into their usual stride. But illness/tiredness/'feeling a bit rubbish' was not a sufficient explanation for a curiously lethargic and directionless opening. Fry Club FC sit squarely in mid-table, but immediately showed real quality and purpose coming forward. First to almost every ball, and passing with ease through the Foxes midfield, they were distinctly on top. One looping effort rebounded off the junction of post and bar. The usually calm home coaching team were forced to be unusually critical and shouty during this spell, as the Foxes frequently failed to make challenges or even simple passes. Only some cool defending from Abby, and some even cooler defending and elegant strides forward from Lauren, kept the visitors in check and the game scoreless.

Finally, a direct through ball from Lulu found Zoe, who rounded her defender and appeared to have shot narrowly wide..hang on, there's a hole in the net and the ball's gone in and straight through it! The opening goal was somewhat against the run of play but all the more welcome for that. The coaches' exhortations - "keep hold of the ball!...just pass it!..you're standing still!..you're not playing well at all!" - appeared to have some effect, despite Lulu's quite reasonable counter-argument from the pitch that negative comments are not always helpful. The Foxes very gradually got the ball under control and began to launch combinations down the slightly-less-muddy flanks, with Georgia as always a lively raider on the left, and Olivia beginning to win the ball more in midfield to feed the front players. The second goal had an element of Fry misfortune about it. Zoe made another excellent run on to Georgia's pass. The finish was not one of her strongest, but squirmed under the unfortunate keeper to give the Foxes some breathing space just prior to half time.

As so often before, the coaches earned their corn with an inspirational half-time team talk, to a squad mostly wrapped in hoodies, coats and even tartan travelling blankets to keep out the cold.

 "The good news is that you're getting better, because it couldn't have been much worse in those opening 15 minutes!"

Harsh  - but fair, perhaps. In any event, it seemed to do the trick. The second half Foxes, now playing against the wind, were much more like their usual selves. Fry never stopped launching attacks, but the iron defence was mopping up everything, with Abby more than usually outstanding in her tackles and breakouts. Rhiannon, playing with cold wind-induced breathing difficulties, was increasingly able to glide forward on the right, while Emily on the left was exceptionally busy and always effective against the dangerous Fry attacks on the wing. If anything Lauren increased her touches and effectiveness as the half wore on, and finally the midfield short pass combinations which were missing in the first half began to appear as the Foxes got on top. Lulu and Olivia took control in the centre and began to drive the play forward, while Molly was an effective and constant nuisance to the Fry defence on the right. Ella and Ellie were able to shed their blankets, take deep breaths and come on for very effective brief spells as subs.

Emily tackles and clears

Goal number three came when a smart combination of passes released the ever-lively Amelia in the box. She took a nice touch, pirouetted on to her right foot and slammed home, effectively securing the win. Minutes later Zoe, released into the left side of the box by Georgia, appeared to be at an impossible angle for a right footer, but opened her body and side-footed it in by the near post, for a hard-earned but very well-deserved hat trick.

Fry, some of the toughest opponents faced all season, never stopped trying, passing and coming forward. Only some smart work from Betty, coming off her line to clear and impeccable in her handling and distribution, preserved the clean sheet, as the video evidence from the "GoPro" behind the goal will undoubtedly confirm. A final score of 4-0 was a little harsh on the visitors, but the Foxes could reflect on a satisfying win, achieved in tough conditions after a very difficult start.

The coaches' decision on "girl of the game" was a tough one. It was effectively jointly bestowed on hat-trick Zoe, ice cool Abby (at times quite literally, so cold did she look) and the always calm, decisive and intelligent Lauren, whose performance earns her the mention in the box below (and possession this week of the imaginary trophy...)

After a winter mini-break next weekend, the Foxes have two more home games in the run-up to Christmas, and may even fit in another morale-boosting and team-building Christmas fun activity. Yo ho ho! But first, get well soon to all ailing and injured Foxes - hot baths and warm onesies by the fire all round...

Girl of the game (official): Lauren

Virtual 'girl of the game' trophy

Captain of the week: Lulu

Slick Foxes shoot six for win number seven

Westbury Park Foxes U15 Girls 6

Emersons Green YFC  1

(pictures to follow...hopefully)

 

After last week's home fixture against these opponents fell victim to traditional November pitch-waterlogging, there was relief when this match - which should have been the away leg- could be switched from an unplayable Emersons Green surface back to BAWA. An afternoon kick-off allowed the use of the only-slightly-muddy middle pitch. With the low winter sun shining, everything was set fair for a good match against opponents who always pose us a challenge (we still haven't forgotten the shock 4-2 home defeat in 2015, so traumatic at the time that no match report was written...)

The opening exchanges saw the Foxes absorbing the visitors' initial through balls aimed for their star no. 9, and gradually getting the passing game going. After a few minutes the ball was being pinged through the midfield regularly to release Amelia on the right, or Georgia on the left. The first goal came on 8 minutes, with Georgia cutting in from the left, evading challenges and finishing smartly. Before Emersons had time to recover, a second was added, when a brave save from Georgia's shot was diverted straight to Zoe, who burst through the box and finished low in the corner.

By now the Foxes were moving the ball very nicely. Maybe their opponents were allowing them a little too much time, but moves were typically beginning from the back, frequently from a calm touch and pass from Millie, or Abby effortlessly 'bringing it under', stepping around the striker and feeding Rhiannon or Emily to power forward. Ellie was hitting some beautiful raking crossfield passes, and as the flying wingers or wing backs frequently got in behind, the corner count began to climb. After a few 'sighters' Lulu was whipping them in with increasing menace, and while the brave Emersons keeper parried and caught some of them, the pressure eventually told. Goal number 3 came when the Emersons defence could not clear the box, allowing Emily to swivel and blast high into the net. Number four came from a familiar source: Lulu's corner was bent in to the near post with such pace and height that the unfortunate goalie could only claw it into the net.

The teams turned for the second half with the Foxes comfortably in charge, and subs Ella and Molly on to provide even more attacking momentum. The short passing combinations were still working well, often from defence to flanks to attack in three or four steps, with Lulu, Ellie and Olivia linking the play beautifully. Emersons were by now slightly better organised in defence, and keen to limit their losses. Their keeper made a number of excellent stops and catches when further goals seemed certain, and several last-ditch tackles and clearances kept Zoe at bay for much of the half. Then a delightful 'give and go' pass on the right from Amelia sent Rhiannon slaloming into the box at speed. When she beat the third defender it looked as if she might have taken too many touches, but had just enough space left to steer it beyond the keeper for her long-awaited first goal of the season. Georgia continued to have joy, and the beating of her defender on the left side, and soon afterwards cut in to finish in the corner for number 6 and her second to cap a fine performance.

In the final 10 minutes or so, the Foxes had earned the right to relax, and with Zoe and Ellie subbed and rested, the game took on a slightly laid-back and light-hearted atmosphere. With a few comedy tumbles in the mud, and a general lowering of intensity, the Foxes sat back a little as Emersons Green tried to finish strongly and at least test Betty in the home goal. To their credit, they kept going and gained their reward when defensive indecision allowed their speedy midfielder to feed no. 9 in the box, just beating the offside for a well-deserved consolation goal. The final whistle shortly afterwards brought an end to a good natured and sporting encounter, played throughout with smiles on faces.

This was another excellent team performance, with the slick short passing and pace on the flanks sufficient to secure the win in the first half. The coaches were also encouraged to see the goals shared around, and on another day against a weaker defence and keeper there could have been three or four more. There was skill and strength on display all over the pitch, but the coaches decided that for her neat and calm tackling and passing out of defence, Millie merited the prestigious 'Girl of the Game' award*

 (* there used to be an actual trophy for this, which is now long since 'missing in action'...the management are offering a Christmas amnesty for its safe return)

With half the season done and all opponents played once, only the tough defeat by leaders Keynsham blots an otherwise perfect record. There is a long way to go, and surely many twists and turns to come. With the return fixture at Keynsham now postponed into the New Year, the Foxes will look to continue their winning run up to Christmas and beyond. Next up are tough season-opening opponents Fry Club, against whom the initial aim is not to concede in the first minute....

Girl of the Game: Millie

Captain for the Week: Rhiannon

Rainbows, rain and relief as Foxes edge Bonfire Night classico

Rainbows

  Bradley Stoke YFC U15 Girls 4

  Westbury Park "Fawkes-es" 6

There were four seasons in one day, and at times footballing (if not actual) November 5th fireworks at a rainswept Little Stoke field, as the increasingly injury-depleted Foxes withstood a spirited second half rally from Bradley Stoke to prevail in what could be a vital 'buffet decider'.

Everything seemed set fair for the 11th edition of the BGL's nearest thing to a North Bristol derby, as a beautiful double rainbow framed the sky, and the sun broke through the clouds to warm spectators and players. Neither lasted long. The first torrential shower fell just before kick-off, just to give everyone a nice early soaking, with ominous dark clouds promising more before the day was out.

Emily clears

The Foxes were soon into their stride and off the mark, moving the ball swiftly through the midfield via Lulu and Ellie to send Zoe in for her first after 7 minutes. The first half took on a recognisable pattern - Bradley Stoke were trying to get the ball forward quickly to their speedsters on the flanks, while the Foxes repeatedly regained possession and launched lightning counter-attacks, with Amelia on the left and Ella on the right always looking dangerous. While the home side enjoyed some territory and possession, they did not seriously threaten Betty in goal for most of the half. The visitors picked them off three more times in succession, Zoe finishing each time to bring her tally to four. As with last week, some of the short and quick passing combinations were proving very effective, with Lulu almost always at the heart of things. With speedy Sim joining Zoe to make a rare but welcome brief appearance, the home defence could not cope when the ball was moved swiftly forward to the strike force, and at 4-0 it looked like game over. 

Molly receives

But when a persistent Stoke attack down the right was not repelled as quickly as it could have been, and a couple of tackles in the box were missed, the Foxes conceded their first league goal in five matches. It looked like little more than a consolation, particularly when the tenacious Amelia powered in from the left flank to reply almost immediately, riding a tackle in the box to see her deflected finish beat the keeper at the near post. Then close to half-time, Bradley Stoke added a second when a long punt forward was finished perfectly by their chasing striker, just out of Betty's reach.

As the sides turned for the second half with the score at 5-2, the skies darkened once again, another deluge began and the wind got up.  Missing Georgia, Lauren and the still-injured but watching Mara, and with GB athlete Sim just making a brief appearance, with only one substitute the Foxes could ill-afford any further injuries or difficulties. Bradley Stoke came out for the half with extra impetus, began to win more midfield and  second balls, and forced their first corner of the game early in the half. It looked to have been effectively cleared to the edge of the Foxes' box, but a Stoke player simply leathered it first time, sending it high into the net from 20 yards out for a genuine '"worldie" greeted by well-deserved roars from the home support. Then in a seemingly innocuous fall, Zoe injured her elbow and could play no further part, leaving the Foxes down to the bare 11 and facing a real challenge from the invigorated home side, as well as the bucketing rain and the increasingly soggy pitch.

 With no out-and-out strikers to provide an outlet, and an increasing tendency to sit deeper as the pressure built, the Foxes began to display a little anxiety in their play, taking the odd touch too many and conceding possession too readily. When they failed to clear the next Bradley Stoke corner, after the ball seemed to be stuck under feet and ricocheting off bodies in the six yard box for minutes, the Blues scrambled it home to narrow the deficit to one. The match had gone from 'game over' to 'game on' in this half, and more than one parent began anxiously to enquire how much time was left.

 

Lulu sends it

Betty marshals the defence at a corner

Both sides had breaks and chances in the ensuing spell, and the game could easily have been levelled but for some defensive heroics from Rhiannon, intercepting and clearing on two occasions to prevent what seemed certain goals. Gradually the storms from the skies and on the pitch eased off, and the Foxes began to pass and move with confidence again. Olivia, after a quiet start, grew into the game and began to win more ball in midfield and beat players in the opposing half. Ella, despite being flagged offside in her own half, and being the victim of a penalty area shirt pull so blatant that she almost stopped play in protest, was persisting and beginning to find space up front. Then a neat Abby and Rhiannon combination at the back resulted in a beautifully weighted ball down the right for Molly to latch on to. She sweetly crossed it with her first touch to Ella in the centre, who likewise met it with another beautiful first touch - a perfect 'dink-lob' over the keeper to make it 6-4 and provide a little breathing space.

Relief

There was still plenty of time left, which would see a few more chances but no more goals, with some great saves and takes from the home keeper, and one Stoke effort which rattled the crossbar. In the end, the Foxes were deserving winners on the strength of their dominant spell in the first 30 minutes, but Bradley Stoke also deserve great credit for their stirring comeback and an early contender for BGL goal of the season. Conditions were tough for both teams, but they produced a thoroughly entertaining and sporting contest.

On a difficult day, every player in orange contributed something. Emily and Millie constantly withstood and relieved severe home pressure down the right, while further up the field Ellie, Olivia and Amelia would convert that into counter-attacks. Betty's  handling and kicks were rock solid, and she could do little about the goals. Lulu was her usual tireless and brave self, Molly put a in great shift capped by her perfect 'assist', and Zoe was unstoppable before her injury, but 'girl of the game' went to Rhiannon for her defensive speed and 'saves' at vital moments of the game.

Captain of the week: Amelia

Girl of the game: Rhiannon

Fans of the week: Mara (get well soon) and..ahem..England international Daisy.