Foxes return after 'winter break' to
record 15th 13th league victory
Bristol Ladies Union U14 0
Westbury Park Foxes U14 Girls 10
The Bristol Girls League, remember that? A full six weeks
had passed since the U14 girl Foxes' last competitive outing, against
Portishead on the speedy astro of RGS. They hadn't played a match on grass
since 16th January. Sudden weekend downpours had led to multiple postponements,
while the Foxes frustratingly found themselves fixture free when the weather
was fine (that's a lot of "f"s, almost as many as our coaches use).
They had even "lost" two previously recorded victories in the
meantime, following the withdrawal from the league of Longwell Green. It was to
be hoped that continued winter training in Lanzarote Dubai the
Downs had kept the girls match sharp.
Friendly local rivals Bristol Ladies Union would provide a
welcome test after such a layoff. Although they have struggled this season, and
have seen their previously gained points against Longwell Green cruelly wiped
clean, BLU have always been competitive and brave opponents. We still haven't
forgotten their 1-0 victory over us 2 years ago.
At the relatively close and familiar venue of the Coombe
Dingle University Sports Ground, the biggest factor and "12th player on
the pitch" was...The Wind. Facing gusts of up to 40 mph, and a slight
slope on the pitch, the first half was a struggle for the Foxes. BLU kept a
disciplined and extremely high defensive line, catching the visitors offside on
repeated occasions, while using the wind to send long balls down in to the
corners. Keeper Betty was not particularly troubled by any attacks or shots,
but Emily and Millie in particular had to be on their mettle to clear the lines
and launch further attacks uphill.
For the first 15 minutes, the Foxes were kept at bay and frustrated. Chances came and went, but they could not score. The wind also appeared frequently to be gusting under the home linesman's right arm, so often was his flag raised. Tempers were beginning to fray, and that was just Mark on the sidelines. Then Zoe took matters into her own hands (and out of the linesman's) by powering around two defenders to blast home for the opener. Minutes later, Ella B got the same idea, slaloming in from the right and finishing superbly in the bottom corner. 2-0 at halftime was a fair reflection of a sluggish start, a brave BLU effort and the extreme difficulty of the conditions.
For the first 15 minutes, the Foxes were kept at bay and frustrated. Chances came and went, but they could not score. The wind also appeared frequently to be gusting under the home linesman's right arm, so often was his flag raised. Tempers were beginning to fray, and that was just Mark on the sidelines. Then Zoe took matters into her own hands (and out of the linesman's) by powering around two defenders to blast home for the opener. Minutes later, Ella B got the same idea, slaloming in from the right and finishing superbly in the bottom corner. 2-0 at halftime was a fair reflection of a sluggish start, a brave BLU effort and the extreme difficulty of the conditions.
The teams changed ends for the second half with no let-up in
the gale, which at one point threatened to scatter Mara's piggies from the
dugout across the pitch. One sensed that BLU had given their all in the first
half, and would struggle to contain a green and white onslaught in the second.
So it proved - a thumping close range finish from Zoe set the visitors on their
way again. Rhiannon, after a season of
near-misses, saves and hit posts, finally concluded one of her trademark
nutmegging mazy dribbles with a shot on target, expertly placed through the
keeper's legs. Ella, with a taste for the spectacular, and minutes after coming
back on as a sub, stormed down the left wing this time, beating three players
and finishing in the far corner. The pick of the goals came when a neat
Rhiannon-Sim combo down the right flank sprang the offside trap, and Sim's
resulting cross was roofed in the net emphatically by Mara. As BLU tired and
found it increasingly harder to clear their lines, or their box, Zoe had
further joy and would add four more, a just reward for her persistence and
patience.
In the end the scoreline was somewhat flattering. BLU kept
battling to the end, with former Fox Ella W putting in a great effort, and a
few probing runs and long balls testing the defence. But it was to be another
clean sheet for the league leaders, as the whistle concluded a satisfactory
return to action.
There were many positives to take from the game, not least
the welcome and impressive return from injury of Olivia, six-shooter Zoe's
scoring boots, the speed, trickery (and goals) of Ella and Mara, and the calm
and assured touch of Lulu, Lauren and Abby in the tough conditions. Even Betty,
enjoying one of her quieter games, was always confident and quick in her gathering
and distribution. But 'girl of the game', coming off the bench to great effect
and doing everything but scoring, was Georgia.
The next few weeks should be interesting. Next weekend it's "Basingstoke and Bradley Stoke" - the FA People's Cup (for some Foxes) then the always tasty "North Bristol Classico". And no joke, on April Fool's Day it's the rearranged tabletop clash with Wotton, who then travel to 3rd place Keynsham the next day. We can almost smell the BGL buffet - but who will be holding the big trophy (as well as the sausage rolls) come July?
Captain of the week: Olivia T
Girl of the Game: Georgia
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