BGL u13 Westbury Park Foxes 6 v 0 Bristol Ladies Union

Foxes show class in local derby game!

After a gap of 2 weeks the Foxes assembled for the first of the double header derby games against local rivals (and school chums!), Bristol Ladies Union.
Welcoming Zoe back from international duty, picking up the balls at Ashton Gate in the rain, the Foxes were determined not to repeat last seasons banana skin that had seen defeat in a dead rubber game!
The home side were only one short of a full squad, meaning there would be frequent rotation of the team.
The first half was dominated by the Foxes who had the lions share of possession and territory. Some great overlapping wing play set up the first chance that was steered narrowly wide, before 2 trademark Zoe runs were rewarded with goals, the second a pile driver from the edge of the box!
A memorable third was added as Rhiannon burst down the right, taking the ball all the way into the penalty box before planting a cool finish into the bottom corner!
3-0 at the break, and with confidence high the Foxes set about the second half in the same manner as the first.
Three more goals were added, a great run and strike by Ella B was followed by a great example of following in by Millie. Following a Sim strike that the away keeper could only palm away, the midfielder was on hand to calmly stoke in the rebound.
Sim was rewarded for hard effort following a great Mara run down the left. The ball was pulled back across the 4 yard line to give the striker a simple tap in!

So a great performance by the whole team with some fine passing and overlapping from the fullbacks!
BLU will no doubt be working on a plan to stop us ahead of the return fixture next week, so there will be no room for complacency!

Captain of the Week: Rhiannon

Girl of the Game : Rhiannon

BGL u13 Westbury Park Foxes 3 v 0 Keynsham Town

Foxes maintain form with comfortable victory


A hazy day greeted the Foxes as they took on Keynsham at BAWA.
The meeting last season had been a landslide for the Foxes, in what was Keynsham's first BGL fixture.
This encounter would be a stiffer test, with the away side sitting mid table , and not having conceded many in their encounters this year.
The Foxes were further deprived by Centre Parcs, swimming galas, and sleepovers, of most of their left hand side!
So a re jigged lineup but the same great determination and footballing skill on display.
The Foxes asserted pressure, before an early injury to Ella B meant an earlier than planned for switch, as Millie was pushed up into midfield.
The home side didn't have long to wait for the opening goal, as Sim battled the defender on a through ball that left the defender with no choice but to turn the ball into her own net. 1-0 Foxes!
It was clear that the away side had added some steel to their play, and thankfully some strong refereeing was enforced as the Foxes midfield were regularly brought down. It was from one such free kick that Zoe got up, dusted herself down and calmly fired in from outside the box. 2-0 at halftime.
The second half was again dominated by the Foxes, but Keynsham held firm until midway through the half when assist of the season saw Millie hit a 30 metre pass through the central defenders, anticipated by Sim who timed the run perfectly to beat the offside. One touch to control and a second to fire into the top corner.
The Foxes played out the rest of the game to ensure another clean sheet and another week at the top of the BGL!

Year 10 - BSYL, Foxes 2- 0 Bishopston Youth, 21/11/15

The Foxes went to the top of the BSYL u15 division with an impressive win over local rivals, and reigning champions, Bishopston Youth.

 

With Jack missing die to illness, Joe took over the captain's duties and played a dominant role throughout. He was joined in midfield for the first half by Sam, making an earlier than anticipated return from his ankle injury. It was great to have him back.

 

The Foxes dominated the first half but failed to make the most of a succession of chances. When Bishopston did attack the home side’s back four, brilliantly led by Dom Robbins, kept them at bay. When finally called on, Owen made a brave block to keep the scores at 0-0 at halftime.   

With the strengthening wind at their backs in the second half the Foxes continued to press and Omar broke the deadlock after he fashioned a chance through an eye catching piece of individual skill. Bishopston kept trying to find a way through to the Foxes goal and were denied a possible equaliser from a long-range freekick that the referee could not be sure had crossed the line after hitting the bar.

 

That apart, the Foxes continued to control the game and a deserved second came when Ed  interchanged passes with Omar on the edge of the box before slipping the ball past the Bishopston keeper. There was still time for more chances for the Foxes, including a corner from Danny that crashed on to the bar.

 

A great performance and a deserved win.  

Coaches' player of the match – Joe

Players' Player - Dom Robbins        

Year 10 BSYL - Bishopston Colts 0 - 17 Foxes, 14/11/15

Due to the heavy rain that bucketed down over the preceding week this game was switched to the wonderful St Bedes. Being from a younger year group (u14s) Bishopston Colts have had a tough 2015/16 season but showed in the first 10 minutes or so that they have some strong players and would clearly be competitive playing against their own age group.

Sonny started upfront for the Foxes and when he curbed his desire to drop deep to get involved he gave the home side it's proper shape and unlocked a flood of goals. With Omar taking a turn in goal due to Owen's absence, Danny was the biggest beneficiary in the first half as he collected four out of the first six.

The second half, with Danny wearing Owen's gloves, saw Bishopston tire and the goals mount up. Omar grabbed five and Sonny a well deserved hatrick.

A great work out for the boys ahead of tougher challenges.  

Ollie C was coaches' player due to his many assists.

Danny and Omar shared the players' player vote.

BGL u13 AEK Boco Blue 1 v 2 Westbury Park Foxes

Foxes Back on Top

The girls climbed back to the top of a rather congested BGL on a weekend that saw many games fall foul of the weather.

The Hanham pitch was playable, but it was clear that it was going to be extremely heavy underfoot, which would make for some tired legs. Fortunately for all, the strong morning wind had dropped; greatly appreciated by those on the touchline.

After a respectful silence in view of the weekend's events, the home team kicked off. The tactics of the two teams were clear from the off. The home team looked to play the ball behind the Foxes defence at any opportunity, whilst the Foxes tried to exploit the firmer ground down the flanks.
In truth the Foxes were little troubled as the long grass and heavy surface slowed the ball, making it easy for the defence. The home side then tried to hit it harder, allowing Betty to claim easily on the edge of the box.
The Foxes started to open up the defence with some delightful passages of play, including a 4 pass move including a back-heel, to set up Sim who fired narrowly over.
Further chances, and a post rattled, meant it was all square at the break.
 The Foxes remained confident going into the second half that the breakthrough would come, and with a new 'keeper in the home goal, it didn't take long.
The Foxes broke quickly and a perfectly timed ball played Sim in to fire home into the top corner.
As so often happens as teams go in search of an equaliser, the gaps opened up, and Zoe was at last able to leave her marker, without being upended, to sprint through and blast high into the net.
So all looked comfortable, until, again, the Foxes conceded from a corner. A failed near post clearance and the ball squirmed towards the line. Betty got at least one had to it before a quick reacting Boco forward toed it over the line.
At 2-1 the home side were suddenly back in it, so the Foxes bench reverted to their starting back line to see out the final few minutes.

So still some thing to work on, but the Foxes are still in the mix in what is turning out to be the most competitive season yet.

Captain of the week : Mara

Girl of the Game : Lulu

BGL u13 Westbury Park Foxes 0 v 3 Wotton Rovers

Foxes slip to defeat

The Foxes arrived not really knowing what to expect from a Wotton side that had taken the beginning of the season by storm, after recruiting from the cream of the Gloucester league and development centre over the summer.
More latterly results had faltered, but sadly for the Foxes, it was the ferocious Mr Hyde, rather than the timid Dr Jekyll, that arrived at BAWA. Wotton were at full strength!

With a strong wind behind them, the visitors made most of the early running, forcing a save and hitting the post.
An early injury to Lulu meant a reshuffle, as the Foxes again found themselves on the back foot.
After some adjustment the game started to even out as the Foxes pressed forward, but too often the delayed pass allowed the stout Wotton defence to get organised and clear their lines. With Milly T able to turn on the 'Des Walker' afterburners to outpace the Wotton attack the teams cancelled each other out.
So a tight and pretty even game eventually swung in the oppositions' favour by the Foxes achilles heel - defending the set piece. A corner came in and a Wotton striker was allowed a free run to the 4 year box. With neither defence or goalkeeper claiming the ball it was bundled over the line.

So 0-1 at the break, but the Foxes would have the advantage of the strong wind in the second half.

The Foxes started the second half on the front foot, and enjoyed their best spell of the game enjoying the lions share of territory and possession. Lauren arrived in midfield tasked with playing the ball through the away defence, but before any impact could be made a carbon copy of the first goal put Wotton in charge.
At 2-0 down the Foxes threw caution to the wind and the inevitable sucker punch of a breakaway goal put the result beyond doubt.

So much to work on in training. Zonal or Man to Man, answers on a post card please, but no reason to be down heartened, as the girls gave a great display of tenacity and skill. The league is proving to be exciting and competitive this year and the Foxes are still right in the mix!

Captain of the Week: Lulu

Girl of the Game:  Emily H (with broken finger!)

Sorry, no photos, too much tension!

BGL u13 Whitchurch Sports 0 v 8 Westbury Park Foxes

Foxes Turn on the Style!

The Foxes took their fine form to south Bristol on a sunny afternoon to face Lauren's former team.

Whilst the score line looked decisive, this was a competitive game, with the opposition clearly having a game plan to sit deep and try to counter attack.

This was the story of the game throughout as the Foxes had the lion's share of position and territory, and, on a day when nearly every shot found its way into the net, left with a slightly flattering scoreline.

The customary Zoe hat trick was supplemented by 2 goals from Sim, including a trademark volley from a corner, a fine run and strike from Em, a well taken rebound from Mara, and a shot from distance from Molly.

With Rhiannon desperate to join in the goal fest, defensive marshalling was left to Amelia and Ella W, with Betty called on a couple of times to deal with breakaway runs.

With Lulu and Lauren providing some great distribution in the middle of the pitch, this was a really impressive performance, with fantastic contributions from all the girls.

So a great run out after a break, and a good confidence builder ahead of next weeks clash with Wotton.

Captain of the week: Lauren (who else!)

Girl of the Game: Molly

As most of the action shots of the game left a lot to be desired, this week is selfie week on the photo front!