BGL now a two horse race as Foxes win again!
As spring finally sprung the Foxes headed to Hanham to take on the Reds. Most of the squad arrived early and caught the end of an impressive 4-1 victory for next weeks opponents, AEK Boco Blue, against second placed Bradley Stoke.
The climate change meant that for the first time in ages there was no mud and running around would make you get hot! and, with League Chairman Dave Winfield in attendance, the Foxes were keen to put on a good show.
Lulu's delayed arrival due to swimming meant a change to the Foxes usual starting line up, with Betty in goal, Molly started in defence with Amelia, and Rhiannon pushed up into midfield. Ella, Mara and Sim completed the line up.
The game started at a great tempo, with both sides keen to exert their authority in midfield. The Reds are a big physical unit, and sort to impose themselves, but it was a the Foxes who had the better of the early exchanges as they tried to get the passing game going and accurately judge the run of the pitch.
Lulu's arrival enabled the Foxes to revert to their more conventional line up, and tried to exploit the wing areas. This proved successful as several crosses made it into the opposition box, but strong defending cleared the danger each time.
A quick Reds breakout let their forward through one on one, but the shot went harmlessly wide.
Lily came on for the hard running Ella, and tenaciously took the play to the Red defence, linking well with Sim, and soon the opening goal came as a breakaway was hammered home by Sim from the edge of the box.
The Foxes were really having to compete in the middle of the park, and were glad of a second goal cushion as the keeper could only palm a vicious in swinging corner from Lulu into the roof of the net.
So the half ended 2-0 to the Foxes.
The second half saw Sim and Mara rested, with Lily taking over up front, Ella switching wings and Molly returning on the right flank.
Whilst the Reds had more possession, the Foxes were quick to break, with Rhiannon bringing the ball out from the back, Amelia crunching into tackles when we lost possession, and Lulu driving the ball down the flanks.
A further break by the Reds meant Betty had to put her body on the line to palm the ball away as the striker caught her above the shin pad.
Mara and Sim returned, with Ella W on to bolster the defence. Soon she was dominating the the middle of the park with some strong tackling as the Foxes moved to a more counter attacking style.
No further goals and the game ended 2-0 to the Foxes.
An enjoyable and hard fought victory brought praise from the league chairman after the final whistle, but, with Portishead winning as well, the Tizer will have to stay on ice for at least another week!
Captain of the Week : Betty
Girl of the Game : Amelia
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Sunday, 2 March 2014
BGL u11 Westbury Park Foxes 2 v 0 Longwell Green Blue
Foxes march on to 50 points and remain clear at the top of the BGL!
11 consecutive wins sets new club record!
A return to St Ursulas brought familiar weather as the drizzle set in just before kick off. Longwell Green Blues had proved to be tricky opponents in our previous encounter, and possess a quality keeper who had prevented the Foxes scoring in the the reverse fixture.
The Foxes lined up with their familiar 2-3-1 formation, Betty in goal sporting the new silver Foxy goalie top, (nice!), with Rhiannon and Amelia defending, Lulu, Ella and Mara in midfield, and Sim up front.
It became clear that the opposition were happy to sit deep and try to counter, and in the early play the Foxes were guilty of not getting forward in support, and whilst holding the lions share of possession, were too often caught in a 2 on 5 situation near the opposition box.
The Foxes were guilty of showing too much respect to the long kicking away goalie, and were not using the width of the pitch to best advantage.
Slowly things started to improve as Rhiannon led from the back, bringing the ball into the opposition half with some trademark mazy runs. Soon the Foxes were exerting some real pressure, with a number of shots flying agonisingly wide, or bringing out great saves from the away goalie. An injury to Mara had Lily on but even the extra striker failed to make the breakthrough and the half ended goal less.
Half time and the team talk was all about relaxing and continuing in the same vein. Longwell Green decided not to allow the goalie a run out and were clearly going to attempt to try and hold out for another 30 minutes.
With Mara back on the Foxes also swapped Millie for Amelia, and kicked off the second half. Again the Foxes dominated possession, and a couple of well worked moves couldn't beat the keeper. We knew it would only be a matter of time and, sure enough, Sim collected the ball unmarked on the edge of the box and lashed home to the right of the goal. Relief for the Foxes!
Longwell Green were forced to try to play further up the pitch and this suited the Foxes as Millie and Rhiannon recycled the ball into further Foxes attacks. With Lily back on for Ella the Foxes pushed for a second, going close when Sim hit the post. With Mara having taken a couple of knocks in the game, a final change moving Ella to the left of midfield paid dividends. Lily, rather than charging the Longwell Green goal kick, kept marking the midfielder, and intercepted the defenders pass. A quick pass to Sim on the right wing was followed by a pinpoint cross to Ella on the back post who chested it down and smashed home on the half volley! A goal of the season contender.
Ameila returned to see out the final minutes as the match ended 2-0.
So another great result and a lesson in not panicking and sticking to the game plan. The girls have a real understanding, and all the squad players are fitting in seamlessly to the the setup providing great strength in depth!
A big thank you also to Rob and the team at Spire Hospital Bristol for their continued sponsorship of the girls this season!
Captain of the Week : Rhiannon
Girl of the Game: Sim
11 consecutive wins sets new club record!
A return to St Ursulas brought familiar weather as the drizzle set in just before kick off. Longwell Green Blues had proved to be tricky opponents in our previous encounter, and possess a quality keeper who had prevented the Foxes scoring in the the reverse fixture.
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| Nice Kit! |
It became clear that the opposition were happy to sit deep and try to counter, and in the early play the Foxes were guilty of not getting forward in support, and whilst holding the lions share of possession, were too often caught in a 2 on 5 situation near the opposition box.
The Foxes were guilty of showing too much respect to the long kicking away goalie, and were not using the width of the pitch to best advantage.
Slowly things started to improve as Rhiannon led from the back, bringing the ball into the opposition half with some trademark mazy runs. Soon the Foxes were exerting some real pressure, with a number of shots flying agonisingly wide, or bringing out great saves from the away goalie. An injury to Mara had Lily on but even the extra striker failed to make the breakthrough and the half ended goal less.
Half time and the team talk was all about relaxing and continuing in the same vein. Longwell Green decided not to allow the goalie a run out and were clearly going to attempt to try and hold out for another 30 minutes.
With Mara back on the Foxes also swapped Millie for Amelia, and kicked off the second half. Again the Foxes dominated possession, and a couple of well worked moves couldn't beat the keeper. We knew it would only be a matter of time and, sure enough, Sim collected the ball unmarked on the edge of the box and lashed home to the right of the goal. Relief for the Foxes!
Longwell Green were forced to try to play further up the pitch and this suited the Foxes as Millie and Rhiannon recycled the ball into further Foxes attacks. With Lily back on for Ella the Foxes pushed for a second, going close when Sim hit the post. With Mara having taken a couple of knocks in the game, a final change moving Ella to the left of midfield paid dividends. Lily, rather than charging the Longwell Green goal kick, kept marking the midfielder, and intercepted the defenders pass. A quick pass to Sim on the right wing was followed by a pinpoint cross to Ella on the back post who chested it down and smashed home on the half volley! A goal of the season contender.
Ameila returned to see out the final minutes as the match ended 2-0.
So another great result and a lesson in not panicking and sticking to the game plan. The girls have a real understanding, and all the squad players are fitting in seamlessly to the the setup providing great strength in depth!
A big thank you also to Rob and the team at Spire Hospital Bristol for their continued sponsorship of the girls this season!
Captain of the Week : Rhiannon
Girl of the Game: Sim
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Yr 8 - BSYL, Rockleaze 1- 9 Foxes, 08/02
An on-off game that finally beat the weather ended in a comfortable victory for the Foxes. Hat-ricks from Archie (on a rare out field appearance due to a keeping injury) and Danny helped secure the win which was built on a dominant team performance.
The game was only minutes old when a cross from the right found Archie at the far post for a tap in. Within five minutes he scored his second from a similar move and later another cross from Ollie C from the Foxes' right led to an own goal, with Archie again involved as he put the defender under pressure. Danny got in on the act by smashing a shot into the roof of the net following a corner to make it 4-0. The only blemish in the first half was the Foxes losing concentration following the award of a free kick, which Rockleaze took quickly allowing their forward to break free and to lob Owen in goal.
The Foxes had the advantage of the slope in the second half and scored 5 more goals, with Archie and Danny completing their hat-ricks and Omar grabbing two. Rockleaze kept battling and their goalkeeper and defenders did well to keep Foxes from scoring more.
A great team performance with Alec and Ollie K impressive at centre back, but man of the match was Harri for a commanding game at right back.
The game was only minutes old when a cross from the right found Archie at the far post for a tap in. Within five minutes he scored his second from a similar move and later another cross from Ollie C from the Foxes' right led to an own goal, with Archie again involved as he put the defender under pressure. Danny got in on the act by smashing a shot into the roof of the net following a corner to make it 4-0. The only blemish in the first half was the Foxes losing concentration following the award of a free kick, which Rockleaze took quickly allowing their forward to break free and to lob Owen in goal.
The Foxes had the advantage of the slope in the second half and scored 5 more goals, with Archie and Danny completing their hat-ricks and Omar grabbing two. Rockleaze kept battling and their goalkeeper and defenders did well to keep Foxes from scoring more.
A great team performance with Alec and Ollie K impressive at centre back, but man of the match was Harri for a commanding game at right back.
Sunday, 9 February 2014
BGL u11 Westbury Park Foxes 5 v 1 Bristol Ladies Union
Plastic Fantastic!
The Foxes were determined not to let another fixture fall foul of the weather, and so moved the north Bristol derby to the smooth 3G surface at St Bedes.
The BLU's won the toss and elected to play with the strong wind at their backs in the first half.
The Foxes started strongly with no evidence of rustiness, moving the ball well and trying to exploit the wing areas. Several crosses went into the danger area but the BLUs were defending in numbers and were able to clear up field, using the wind to good advantage on the fast surface. This left them vulnerable to the swift Foxes counter and soon Sim took advantage after a great break forward.
Next the prolific striker turned provider as a fine run and pull back across goal was met by Ella to bundle home off a BLU's defender.
With Lily on for Ella the Foxes continued to break at pace, and it wasn't long before the Foxes had a 3 goal cushion as fine work on the left by Mara found Sim again to shoot low past the keeper. A further fast flowing move allowed Sim to cut back on the edge of the box before coolly slotting into the corner to complete a first half hat trick.
Molly replaced Amelia at the back as the Foxes looked assured with the ball, however, for the second successive game the Foxes were undone from a corner, as Betty was unable to fall onto the ball ricocheting around the goal mouth, before a BLUs player fired home. 4-1 at the break, and a comfortable half for the Foxes, but a lift for BLU at the end.
Wholesale changes in the second half with Ella W replacing Mara, with Molly moving to right wing, Ella W to left and Lily upfront for Sim. The Foxes took a little time to adjust to the strong wind behind them and the BLUs exerted some pressure of their own in a slightly more even half. The Foxes added to their goal tally as Lulu took advantage of a wind assisted throw to wrong foot the keeper with the outside of her boot.
A further change brought Betty out of goal, with Rhiannon taking over, and the new keeper was called into action twice in quick succession to save well with her leg before pulling off a double save from close range.
So a great result and important match time under our belts to keep the momentum going and stretch the lead at the top of the table.
Captain of the Week : Lily
Girl of the Game: Rhiannon
The Foxes were determined not to let another fixture fall foul of the weather, and so moved the north Bristol derby to the smooth 3G surface at St Bedes.
The BLU's won the toss and elected to play with the strong wind at their backs in the first half.
The Foxes started strongly with no evidence of rustiness, moving the ball well and trying to exploit the wing areas. Several crosses went into the danger area but the BLUs were defending in numbers and were able to clear up field, using the wind to good advantage on the fast surface. This left them vulnerable to the swift Foxes counter and soon Sim took advantage after a great break forward.
Next the prolific striker turned provider as a fine run and pull back across goal was met by Ella to bundle home off a BLU's defender.
Molly replaced Amelia at the back as the Foxes looked assured with the ball, however, for the second successive game the Foxes were undone from a corner, as Betty was unable to fall onto the ball ricocheting around the goal mouth, before a BLUs player fired home. 4-1 at the break, and a comfortable half for the Foxes, but a lift for BLU at the end.
Wholesale changes in the second half with Ella W replacing Mara, with Molly moving to right wing, Ella W to left and Lily upfront for Sim. The Foxes took a little time to adjust to the strong wind behind them and the BLUs exerted some pressure of their own in a slightly more even half. The Foxes added to their goal tally as Lulu took advantage of a wind assisted throw to wrong foot the keeper with the outside of her boot.
A further change brought Betty out of goal, with Rhiannon taking over, and the new keeper was called into action twice in quick succession to save well with her leg before pulling off a double save from close range.
So a great result and important match time under our belts to keep the momentum going and stretch the lead at the top of the table.
Girl of the Game: Rhiannon
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Year 2 Foxes v Clifton United
Saturday 1st February dawned crisp, bright and nippy. It was the day of the big trip and eighteen Westbury Park Foxes were leaving the grimy city and heading for the land of cider and cheese and the green fields of (North) Somerset.
Well to be precise, the green fields of the Clifton College Sports Ground over the bridge in Failand. And most importantly, it wasn't a field but an astroturf haven in this winter of soggyness. With such a big pitch on offer, Clifton United lined up against two Foxes teams in two eight a side matches. This was the first time that the Year 2's had played as an eight and they coped well against their bright orange clad opponents. In the opposite game before Christmas the Foxes had received a lesson in the dark art of passing and plenty of practice picking thge ball out of the net. This time it was the Foxes who were moving the ball about. Sticking to their formation and trying to let the ball do the work this was an impressive showing by the boys.
We saw two evenly contested matches. Yes, the surface made the ball difficult to control and yes, the ball spent as much time off the pitch as on but there were good things to note. Concentration was good, making space was good, Elliot getting his normal quota of sliding tackles in (cue simultaneous intaking of breath from all watching) was good, committment was good.
Charlie banged in the Foxes goal in the first match, Cosmo ran in two in the second. Foxes held firm, played well and created the better chances. The future is bright, even if it isn't going to be played on a multi-million pound complex of all weather pitches!
Player of the Week: Morgan - gave his classmates the runaround and denied them the bragging rights this time!
Well to be precise, the green fields of the Clifton College Sports Ground over the bridge in Failand. And most importantly, it wasn't a field but an astroturf haven in this winter of soggyness. With such a big pitch on offer, Clifton United lined up against two Foxes teams in two eight a side matches. This was the first time that the Year 2's had played as an eight and they coped well against their bright orange clad opponents. In the opposite game before Christmas the Foxes had received a lesson in the dark art of passing and plenty of practice picking thge ball out of the net. This time it was the Foxes who were moving the ball about. Sticking to their formation and trying to let the ball do the work this was an impressive showing by the boys.
We saw two evenly contested matches. Yes, the surface made the ball difficult to control and yes, the ball spent as much time off the pitch as on but there were good things to note. Concentration was good, making space was good, Elliot getting his normal quota of sliding tackles in (cue simultaneous intaking of breath from all watching) was good, committment was good.
Charlie banged in the Foxes goal in the first match, Cosmo ran in two in the second. Foxes held firm, played well and created the better chances. The future is bright, even if it isn't going to be played on a multi-million pound complex of all weather pitches!
Player of the Week: Morgan - gave his classmates the runaround and denied them the bragging rights this time!
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Westbury Park Foxes Whites 0 - 3 Totterdown
This was a really exciting game that started at a fast pace and continued throughout the match. Both teams played to an extremely high standard with accurate and quick passing. The first goal came in the first half and was scored by Totterdown. Despite the unfortunate slip through the keepers hands, it was a very even half, with some brilliant play from Monty Nash in midfield and some superb defence from Jamie Mead and Eesa Rauf. The second half continued in the same vein as the first with great goal opportunities from both teams, including several great saves from Jude Hall and a great strike from Elliot Smith. However, Totterdown managed to pull ahead and extend their lead with 2 superb goals from outside the box. All in all a very exciting and skilful match with both teams stretched to their limits, with lots of smiles all round at the final whistle.
Year 8 - BSYL, Foxes 6 - 0 Stoke Lane, 01/02
An eye catching performance from the Foxes saw them pull away from Stoke Lane in the battle for third place. In blustery conditions on the 3G at RGS, Stoke Lane had the wind at their backs and the first 20 minutes was an even, if slightly helter-skelter affair, before Sam finished after a powerful run and intelligent pass from the very impressive Omar. This settled the home side and a second followed when Omar finished coolly. On the stroke of half time great work by Jack set up the tireless Owen, again released from goal by Archie's availability, who smashed the ball into the net form the edge of the area.
Early in the second half Raul, taking advantage of the strong wind, hit a wonderful and unstoppable shot into the top corner to put the result beyond any doubt. Stoke Lane continued to compete but the Foxes maintained a lovely rhythm with some great passing football and could have added more than a second from Omar and a great team goal finished by Ollie C.
A very good team performance, with the Foxes first clean sheet of the season being as rewarding as the goals.
Man of the match for the Foxes was Omar.
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