BGL u14 Portishead Town 1 v 3 Westbury Park Foxes

Foxes bag three (not) by the sea

Leaders close out tough Portishead challenge to claim 14th win

Portishead Town U14 Girls 1
Westbury Park Foxes U14 Girls 3

The recent surprising downfall of strange wet stuff from the skies left many West pitches waterlogged. Portishead Town's new home pitch was one of the victims, so a switch of this fixture was sensibly agreed. The 3G astro at "Redland Green School", which apparently is in Redland and seemed strangely familiar to several Foxes players, was the new venue. The natives speak knowingly of the biting north wind that blasts across its hilltop location, and of the mid-pitch suspended curtain wire which deflects many a long ball. The biggest hazard, however, is the loss of balls over the fence into the surrounding allotments. It is said that last year one local enthusiast won several gardening prizes for her impressive display of marrows, green beans and size 5 Umbros.

With spectators and subs on ball retrieval duty, and a chill wind blowing, the first half was a tight and competitive affair. Portishead were a different proposition from their under-strength line up in the earlier fixture this year, contesting every challenge and sending many dangerous through balls under the wire. The Foxes defence were nevertheless up to it and up to speed, and Betty did not face many direct threats on goal. The "visitors" were, however, winning lots of midfield ball, and the Foxes struggled to create many clear cut chances inside the box, although Lulu, Sim and Molly all tested the keeper with long range blasts which went close. It remained goalless for 25 minutes until the tenacious and hugely impressive Amelia W took the game by the scruff of the neck, and gave it a good shake while she was at it. Winning one of several 50:50s in midfield, she powered into the box, rode another challenge and found herself in on goal, blasting into the roof of the net.

The first goal, as always, settled the green and whites down, and they began to relax into their game a little more, passing and spreading the play and putting the opposition defence under pressure. Such has been the excellence of Lulu's set piece delivery this season that a corner is not far short of a direct free kick. She lofted her third attempt perfectly into the box, where Zoe grazed the ball with the top of her head while ducking deftly redirected it with a perfectly aimed glancing header to the keeper's left. 2-0 at half time gave some welcome breathing space, but there was still work to do.

With a 2 goal cushion and the game settling down, the coaches rang the changes, giving Zoe and Sim well-deserved rests and introducing the lively Georgia and Lily. The Foxes looked to be in control and set to increase their lead, with Ella and Mara getting increasing joy down the flanks, but both sides at times struggled to gauge the bounce and run of the ball on the fast 3G. Just as the spectators were praising the relentless speed, tackling and control of the unflappable back line, a rare lapse occurred. Missing a few opportunities to clear the threat of a lone Portishead raider, the tall striker found herself in on goal at close range and finished with a slight deflection from an attempted tackle.

Portishead were encouraged and gee-d up, but as at Keynsham the Foxes did not panic. The steel line of Abby, Emily, Millie and Rhiannon redoubled their efforts, using all their speed to close down the impressively quick Portishead front line, winning more tackles and spreading the play forward into the opposition half. The game was slowed down, and gradually closed out, as a series of throw ins and corners at the Portishead end ate away at the clock. Finally, with 3 minutes remaining, the mighty Mara burst into the box, rolled her defender with a trick and drag back, and finished with style. 

Further chances arose before the final whistle, but any more than 3-1 would have been harsh on a brave and sporting Portishead side. They will surely win many more games this season, and may yet have an influence on the ultimate destination of the league title. In the meantime, the Foxes march on, with their fourteenth win out of fourteen this season. The previous week's game against Longwell Green was a forfeit and automatic "H-W", although the coaches and 'Statto' are putting it down privately as a 6-0 win, with Molly and Sim each claiming hat tricks...

There now follows a brief rest until the dual challenges of Whitchurch and...the FA People's Cup. Get your rosettes, rattles and 'cup tie pies' now -Wembley here we come!

Girl of the Game: Amelia W
Captain of the Game: