HALF TERM UPDATE

Foxes football will continue over the half term break.

Join us on the Downs for informal training/kickabouts - at the usual time and place.

See you there.

Yr 5 vs Rockleaze

Another two games into the season and still unbeaten. As always we had loads of keen and eager and talented boys to pick from. As is increasingly common the opposition turned up with one team - so we split into two squads and, while one lot trained, the others took on Rockleaze Rangers.

Squad one (Danny, Archie, Sonny, Ollie K, Ollie C, Aidan, Ian, Jacob, Max, Jack T and Alec) started well and maintained a high level of passing throughout. How we slipped two goals behind remains a bit of a mystery. Both Rockleaze goals were well taken, the first by their stand-out player, but both were against the run of play. Never daunted the Foxes kept going and managed to pull back to level pegging by half time courtesy of a Sonny double - one from short range following yet another great Danny-corner and the second that could best described as high-class route one football. Second half the Foxes were never threatened, with the exception of one counter attack when Archie had to be brave and alert, and with Sonny completing his hatrick we ran out worthy winners.

Man of the match - Sonny


Squad two (Owen, Seb, Harri, Harry, Joey, Nick, Sam L, Sam P, Raul, Omar) dominated their game, creating chance, after chance, after chance. One goal was disallowed, several chances were cleared off the line and several more were wasted as we passed, tackled, moved and created. All of the team played their part - to the extent were Owen (in goal) touched the ball on only three occasions. While the 0-0 result was frustrating - and the atmosphere the game was played in niggly at best - the Foxy coaches were delighted by the quality of our play and the sense of team spirit. The whole team deserved praise.

Man of the match - Sam P

Promising Start for Y4 v Rockleaze 2 Oct

16 spirited Foxes emerged from their rain-battered dens to take on the full might of Rockleaze in a testing start to the season.

The Foxes were split into 2 squads to play 3 matches each at Stoke Lodge against one of our toughest opponents.

Squad 1: Brody, Eddie, Ewan, Jamie, Stanley, Josh, William L P, Matthew.

The first game was end to end with Rockleaze going one-up early. The Foxes quickly hit back. A lovely through-ball from Matthew allowing Stanley to find Josh perfectly positioned to tap in from close-range. A fantastic performance from Brody in goal kept the scores even going into half-time. The second half saw Rockleaze use the sloping pitch to their advantage adding to their score-line quickly. Stanley’s running and shooting game was rewarded only by resonating woodwork (or should that be plastic?) and a spectacular overhead kick from Josh was unlucky not to hit the back of the net. The Foxes were within snapping distance until the last few minutes when Rockleaze added two late goals. The 1-4 final score line not a true reflection of the game.

The second also game started brightly. Great defensive work by Jamie stopped some strong attacking moves by Rockleaze; Brody and Ewan combined well as they tried to get the ball up to our strikers, and Eddie’s superb diving save was not quite enough to stop a penalty. Our defence played with great resilience, but legs began to tire and the game finished 0-3.

The final game was a real tester as 3 matches on the trot started to take their toll. The Foxes played with great passion: Eddie and Ewan making some great runs down the wings; William LP coming alive to trouble the Rockleaze defence, and Matthew supplying pinpoint passes to Josh and Stanley, with Brody and Jamie keeping them out at the back. But once again, Rockleaze’s well-drilled attack and organised defence thwarted the Foxes. Final score 0-4. Despite the losses, these were 3 great performances on a large pitch against fresher opposition who had already had a fixture to get them into the groove.

Man of the Match - Brody for his brilliant performance in goal and his solid defending.

Squad 2: Rohan, William W, Jack, Billy, Tee-Jay, Henry, Harrison and Joseph

Match 1. The long, wet grass and large pitch took some time to get used to and the Foxes went a goal down before they really started to click. Jack, Billy and William then repelled the Rockleaze attack, marshaled by some great keeping by Tee-Jay. Soon our strike force got going with Henry and Rohan securing the middle of the park allowing Joseph and Harrison to terrify their defence. The pressure told. Harrison supplied the ball to Joseph whose skills bemused the opposition before he opened our account. Some half time tactical adjustments gave us better balance and soon Joseph supplied a sublime cross for Harrison to finish. A thoroughly deserved 2-1 win.

Match 2. On a sloping pitch, the team maintained their winning momentum. Close marking and some superb defending by Jack and William neutralized Rockleaze’s most dangerous players. Meanwhile, Billy and Rohan powered through the midfield and Joseph continued to terrify all in front of him. A fantastic performance by Henry included a cross for Tee-Jay to hammer home and a powerful strike after Harrison’s endless determination had won the ball in the tackle. A peerless 2-0 win that left the opposition looking shell-shocked.

Match 3. The efforts of the previous matches began to tell as the Foxes lost a little concentration and went behind to fresher opposition. The whole team upped its game with some brilliant tackles from Jack and tireless running by Harrison, and were always a danger up front. Concerted team pressure brought a thoroughly deserved equaliser from Henry before the Foxes gave away some soft goals. The third Rockleaze team adopted the little seen “let’s put a player on your goal-line” tactic. Without offside, this led to two scrambled goals. A brilliant run and cross by Joseph found 3 Foxes in front of goal, but sadly we could not finish it. Result: a 1-3 loss against the run of play.

Man of the Match – Henry for a fabulous midfield and attacking display including 2 great goals.

Overall, some tactical lessons to be learnt, but all-round a hugely impressive and encouraging first performance – strong, organized defence, determined midfield and a selfless and skillful attack to challenge any team. Foxes to be proud of. Well done all!!

THORNBURY FALCONS ROUTED BY Y5 FOXES!

A sunny day on the Downs.

Another massive turnout from Y4 and Y5 girls.

And FOURTEEN GOALS FOR THE FOXES!

Two teams took on the Thornbury falcons, a strong team who have beaten us in the past.

And let's not beat around the bush, everyone played their green and white socks off. Several girls even played their boots off. There wasn't a passenger on the pitch, and the scoreline tells it all.

With Jo "its not that I'm competitive but I WANT TO WIN" Davis were Marielle, Sophie HR & Molly H in defence, Phoebe, Emily T and Anna D in midfield, Sophie M up front. This was a game where pressure told. Every Thornbury attack was neatly tackled at the back, and - what's this? - passed calmly up to the midfield where - blow me down! - shots were fired at the Thornbury goal. Their goalie was actually very good, and loads were saved.

You'd have thought our defence might have got bored, but actually they were busy too. Molly H had to come off with a brave injury, giving ELLA CLARKE her first ever taste of Foxy Action. She rose to the challenge, making some vital blocks and tackles. Sophie HR has really got the hang of reading the attacks, intercepting and feeding the hungry foxes in midfield.

After half time, Emily C and Anna R had a go, and frankly we might as well have built a brick wall across the foxy goalmouth. Never forget, the impressive part of this 9-0 ( oh yes) victory is the NIL bit.

Phoebe, Emily T, Anna D and Sophie M were everywhere. Several times I counted our players, it seemed like we had more than them! But no. And when Molly H came back from injury, she harried and ran amok too.

So to the well deserved score-sheet. 

GOALS TO MOLLY H, SOPHIE M, EMILY T and a Hatrick to Anna D ( well, 4 in fact!)

Sally Silky Skills started with Emily B in goal, Abby and Molly R in defence, Tia, Megan and Ella W in midfield and Sophie C up front. Now these Foxy Stars have been seriously improving, but have struggled to find the killer kicks that actually score goals. 

I have one thing to report:

5-2. Yes, that's FIVE GOALS TO US and 2 to them.

Again, a fast exciting game with plenty of action, which the Foxes deserved to win. At the back, Emily B had her first taste of goalie action, and made some great saves. Molly "clearly been on a soccer course" R had really stepped up her game. Several Falcons attacks came towards her, 2 or 3 players running fast and passing dangerously. Calmly, decisively, she picks her moment and the Falcons are downed. Abby and Megan had good games too, Abby taking a turn in goal to make some brave nick-of-time saves.

At half time, Sophie HR and Phoebe came on in midfield, showing little sign of tiring from the other non-stop match. Both used the space nicely, dribbling out of tackles and passing accurately to Sophie C and Ella in the attack.

And up front, what a transformation. Passing. Running with the ball. Running on to the ball. The sheer hunger of the Foxy attack left the crowd breathless.  When Thornbury attacked, Tia tackled, turned, ran and passed to Sophie C, perfectly placed for a goal. 

"Wow, they've got better!" gasped one. 

"Look at Ella run" admired another. 

"Is that a hatrick for Sophie Cliff?" roared a third, "she's amazing!"

OK, it was Sophie's mum, but she was right. Three goals for Sophie C, two for Ella W, but to be honest, they had everyone's name on them. Tia and Sophie HR set up a couple, Phoebe nearly scored.

But today the Foxes weren't content with nearly. Today, they pressed and pressed - and believed.

And if there was a word for the day, I'll go with Belief. Last week we told these girls that if they could convert enthusiasm into belief, they would win. Being obedient foxes, they did just that. 

THE GIRLZ ARE BACK...

More of them.

More determined.

And definitely louder.

This year, with a new, improved formula:

Passing!

Yes, a morning of non-stop footie against Bishop Road kicked off the Formidable Year 5s season, and it looks like a good one.

Two new recruits already, drum roll please...........

A Big Foxy Welcome to Ella Clarke! (applause)

Go Wild for Emily Burbidge!

That makes well over 20 on the foxy roll of honour - well done girls.

Two teams took on the Bishop Rd Buccaneers.

With new coach Jo “another lap of the pitch” Davis were Marielle, Phoebe, Sophie HR, Anna D, Izzy, Bryony, Abby and Megan. In their first game they did everything more right than a right thing, but never quite found the net. Easily the best passing this coach has seen saw several moves worked all the way from defence to striker, with consistent looking up and picking out partners. Top work girls. Marielle and Izzy were, as ever, solid in goal with some brave saves and massive clearances.

Under the watchful eyes of Sally “silky skills” Wistow were Erin, Tia, Ella W, Ella T Molly H, Emily B, Sophie C, Emily C and Sacha. Again, some fine goalkeeping from Erin and Tia kept the Buccaneers at bay, and Molly H, Sophie and Ella W were dogged and determined up front. Tia invented a whole new cunning move, forever now known as The Tia Tackle. Basically, you suss out the opposition’s names, call out “Megan” convincingly, and they then pass to you. Saves all that messy going after the ball, getting your boot stuck in etc. Nice one Tia!

Without our two top scorers, Sophie M and Emily T, we struggled to find the goals, but maybe learnt more as a result. Full marks for determination and enthusiasm, as ever, and just a bit more belief will bring some victories.

Player of the week?

For massive improvement, for huge courage in her first ever game, and for a right boot unmatched for power we salute:

Emily “Cannonball” Burbidge!

Yr 5 Boys v Sefton Park

A new season. A new age group. But the same old Downs with a reassuringly familiar north/north-westerly to make the Foxes feel at home, playing two and winning two.

The squad was a little short of numbers due to the enforced attendance for 5 boys at a secret boot-camp but we were still able to field two equal strength teams of 8 a-side.

Team one (Alec - welcome back Alec - Archie, Sonny, Max, Ollie K, Seb, Sam L and Ollie C) took a little while to remember to keep their shape and support each other. However things settled down with Sonny slotting the first goal after good work from Sam. Sefton Park kept pressing but another goal from Sonny and two excellent finishes from Max saw us home 4-0.

Player of the week - Max.

Team two (Joey, Owen, Jack T, Jack C, Ian, Raul, Jacob and Nick) has already warmed up against the year 4s and so played with more structure from the start. Joey, who was everywhere, scored one goal and Raul deserved his two. There were impressive performances from Jack T and Ian, on his Foxes debut, at the back. 3-0 was a comfortable margin and it could have been more, particularly if we could have got a head on any one of our impressive corners.

Player of the week - Jack C.

Well played everyone and thanks to the year four Foxes for giving both sides a game and Team One a very real scare.

NEW (school) YEAR STARTS HERE

It hardly seems possible that the summer hols have finished - but yes, we're back and raring to go for the new season.

There's not much to say, except a big THANK YOU for everyone's support last year, a great End of Season finale and a crackin' party at Goldbrick House.

Cheers m'dears!

Last year's Y6s will be sadly missed - but suffice to say we will be expecting the former Y6 parents to keep turning up at the Christmas and end of year bashes.

Good luck to the Y7s joining the newly formed Bishopston United.

That's it - see you on the Downs.