Yr 6 - BSYL - 26th November

Two 1-0 defeats but two very different games in terms of Foxes' dominance.

The Whites hosted the Buccaneers Reds and the visitors came out on top in a cracking match. The Foxes had the bare minimum of 7 on the day and the lack of any substitutes told on the players as the game wore on, but every single player tried their hardest until the final whistle. The Reds had the best of the chances and Owen was, again, outstanding. That we only conceded one goal owed much to a string of fine saves, but also to strong defence from Seb and Aidan and really hard work in midfield by Sam and Harri. Isaac had his first full 50 mins for the Foxes and Sonny worked hard up front. The tension increased as the second half wore on and the Reds were prevented from adding to their lead. The Foxes kept on battling and had a few half-chances to capture a point.

While the result was disappointing, the coaches couldn't have been more pleased with the effort shown by the whole squad. Sam was given the captain's armband for the next fixture as recognition for a tireless performance.

The Greens were away to Brislington and were unlucky to lose 1-0 to skillful and well organized opposition. The Foxes started brightly passing and moving and fashioned a great chance for Jack C. which he and others thought that he had scored, but the referee didn't see it that way, waved play on and with the boys still celebrating or questioning the decision, Brislington broke away to score a well taken goal. The Foxes heads didn't drop and continued to dominate the remainder of the first half and on into the second. The Brislington keeper did well to keep to keep out a succession of efforts on goal.

While Brislington were always dangerous on the break they were hanging on at the end and were the team that most wanted the final whistle. This was a game the Greens deserved to win with the boys playing some good football. The coaches could not have asked for any more effort and the whole team should be proud of how they played. Special mention should go to Nick in goal who didn't put a foot wrong and Jack T. who had one of his best games at the back but the Captain's armband was awarded to Ollie C. who capped the last two months of great development with another top-notch display on the right wing.

Y2 v Ashley Down (H)

Our first ever home game and we were very pleased to host Ashley Down. We managed to squeeze in four games, and the fact that only seven goals were scored all morning, showed how tight the games were.

With twenty players in our squad, we split into 'red' and 'blue' teams. Ashley Down had a squad of ten, and so played rolling substitutions.

The Foxes red team started well with Frazer and William dominating midfield. It was Ashley Down's goalkeeper who was by far the busier, but managed to keep the Foxes out and the game goal-less at half time. In the second half, Ashley Down took the lead with a fine shot, but the Foxes came back strongly and Acer gained a draw with a fine run and cool finish.

In the second game, the blues again battled well with a strong midfield battle led by Rajiv and Ben, and would have taken the lead had Samuel's 'goal' from a tight angle which hit the far post and bounced back along the line been awarded. Again it took a fine shot from Ashley Down to secure a 1-0 win.

Ashley Down were by now playing very well with some neat midfield passing (take note, Foxes and Foxes coaches) and were deservedly 2-0 up by half time. A Foxes substitution and change of tactics at half time saw a reversal of the play in the second half. Xabi and Acer took control of the midfield, and after hitting a post (again!), Samuel pulled a goal back after being unleashed by a great through-ball by Acer and as the goalkeeper advanced, a clinical finish. The Foxes were now well on top, but could not quite eek out an equaliser.

In the final match, it was back to a tight tactical game. A great shot from the right winger gave Ashley Down the only goal, but it could have gone either way. Danny made a fine save to keep the Foxes in the game throughout, but it ended 1-0.

Overall Ashley Down were deserved winners with some strong players and good teamwork. The Foxes showed their fighting spirit as always, and with a bit of luck and a more generous referee would have got more in terms of the results. In the Cafe afterwards, the talk amongst the young Foxes was of blind referess and the call for the introduction of goal-line technology...

Y5 Foxes share honours with Shire Colts 12 November 2011

One week on and a completely different set of challenges faced 14 brave Foxes. A week of rain and a reminder to stay off the Down’s pitches meant we had to set up pitches on the undulating terrain of long grassy – far from ideal for our style of fast, flowing football. Whilst a well-drilled SC squad went though their pre-match build up, late arrivals and a few no-shows meant we didn’t know we could field 2 full teams until just before kick off. Shire are probably the best team we play in the friendly league so this was going to be a better measure of how we are doing than previous weeks.

Simon’s Squad - Caston, Jack, Ewan, TJ, Harrison, Stanley, John

Match1

Funny how little moments stay with you. With no-one else to ref, Simon took on the role of referee and, unlike other sides, did not coach the Foxes during play. This was a fixture where the team were to make their own decisions. One minute before kick-off they took it upon themselves to have a team huddle – 7 little Foxes against the world. I was immensely proud.

We set up with everyone playing in familiar roles – Caston in goal, Jack and TJ as sweeper and link-man, John and Stanley in midfield and Ewan and Harrison out wide. Shire attacked from the off and played some attractive passing football, confident of their ability to hold the ball and wait for a passing opportunity. The Foxes competed but had a slow start and we were soon 2 goals behind. Then the Foxes’ spirit took over and the team fought back. Stanley scored the goal of the match with a perfect strike (or was it a lob?) from wide out right. A good SC keeper failed to get anywhere near it. As the game continued, both sides created and saved chances – nothing in it. It was only a Foxes own goal from a penalty area scramble that added to the scoreline. On reflection SC probably deserved their win, but it was marginal.

Result: Foxes 1: SC 3

Match 2

The second match saw the Foxes take on what looked to be Shire’s B team. TJ swapped for Caston and with the Foxes now up to speed, we tore into them from the off. Great saves, intelligent defence, selfless midfield play and skilful attacks meant that the Foxes completely outplayed SC in the first half. Shire had no answer to our pace and determination as Harrison scored the first and John added a second (with Harrison making sure it went over the line). A controversial 3^rd goal followed as a fair tackle from Caston put Harrison through to finish with a great strike. SC parents erupted complaining that the game should have been stopped because their player was on the floor and one of the parents decided to march onto the pitch to give an opinion he should have kept to himself. The second half then became a little tense and somewhat niggly with lots of pulling, foul throws and “accidental “handballs – which were all waved on in a effort to keep the game flowing. The Foxes could and perhaps should have scored three or four more including a crossbar-breaking strike, but it was a good and well-deserved win.

Result: Foxes 3: SC 0

MOM: John for tireless running and a superb midfield display.

Rob’s Squad:

Rohan, Jamie, Matthew, William W, Josh, Henry, William LP

Match 1

In the knowledge that Shire Colts have a strong quad of players the Foxes were asked to play in a 2-3-1 formation, William W and Matthew played in defence, William LP, Henry and Jamie in midfield, Josh playing alone up front and Rohan in goal. The game kicked off to a flurry of good accurate passing from Shire Colts which pegged the Foxes back in their own half but the Foxes eventually started to find their game. Josh was excellent at receiving the ball and holding off defenders until support from Henry or William LP arrived. The first goal of the game came from an accurate corner from Henry to the near post where William LP managed to flick the ball past the advancing Shire Colts keeper. The Foxes continued to look dangerous, Henry and William LP breaking very fast from midfield to support Josh up front. A second goal for the Foxes looked on the cards but it was Shire Colts who scored next with a long range effort that Rohan unfortunately failed to get his hands to. 1-1. However Henry soon put the Foxes back in the lead with a fine solo run and finish 2-1. The action was non stop from the Foxes, next up William LP had a fine run on the left taking the ball from midfield to the edge of the Shire Colts box before releasing a magnificent left foot drive high into the corner of the Colts net. 3-1. The second half started off much the same as the first half ended with the Foxes 2-3-1 formation keeping the play in the Colts half of the pitch. It was Henry's turn to score next with a thunderous shot that crashed in off the cross bar 4-1. Shire Colts then began to wake up with the Foxes having to defend in numbers. William W and Matthew were now being kept increasingly busy in defence as the Colts started to step up their game. Eventually the pressure led to the Colts scoring 4-2. Foxes were now having to defend in numbers, Jamie was playing well down the right of mid field helping the defence while Henry and William LP continued to try to feed Josh to relieve the pressure on the Foxes defence. Eventually the Colts scored their third goal 4-3 which led to an anxious last few minutes but Rohan had the measure of the Colts last few attempts at goal. The final whistle came as a bit of a relief, the Foxes beating Shore Colts 4-3. A great team performance capped with two great goals from William LP and Henry.

Result: Foxes 4: SC 3

Match 2

In the second game the Foxes were set up in the same 2-3-1 formation but with William LP replacing Rohan as keeper. The first half was quite an even battle with Shire Colts scoring the only goal. 0-1. Rohan and William swapped places at half time to bolster the left side of midfield. The prospects for the Foxes in the second half started very well with the Colts being pegged back in their half for long periods. It looked only a matter of time before the Foxes were going to score but as the clock ran down, and the Foxes narrowly missing with their many chances at goal, it one of those games where a goal might just elude them. So it was to be, the Colts rubbed salt into the Foxes wounds with a break that resulted in a well-worked second goal. 0-2. The Foxes continued to battle on but there were quite a few weary legs and having only seven players in the squad meant that there were no substitutions available. Rohan made some magnificent saves in one on one situations seemingly with every part of his body, left leg, right leg, left arm, shoulder. This was great goal keeping to watch. Unfortunately the Colts scored a third goal again on the break. 0-3. The game ended with Foxes pride intact because it looked only at matter of time before the Foxes would score during much of the second half. Well done the Foxes for not loosing their spirit and battling to the very end.

Result: Foxes 0: SC 3

MOM - William LP for his fine goals in the first game and his hard work in midfield.

Overall - Played 4, won 2, lost 2

Aggregate - Foxes 8: Shire Colts 9

Yr 6 - BSYL - 12th November

Two games at St Ursula's. The Whites at home against the Sonics and the Greens 'away' against the Buccaneers Whites.

The Whites narrowly lost out to Golden Hill Sonics in a game that saw goal mouth action at both ends, some great keeping and determined defending. Seb and Harri had great games at the back and the whole squad kept on fighting until the final whistle, but despite creating a string of chances ended up losing as the Sonics played well on the break. After an early second half goal the Foxes dominated possession but just couldn't beat an inspired Sonics keeper. As the game drew to an end, and with the Foxes pressing for an equaliser, the Sonics broke again, to wrap things up with the last kick of the game.


The Greens came out on top in a 2-1 victory thriller against the Buccaneers Whites. On a waterlogged pitch both sides worked hard and played some attractive football but it wasn't until the second half that the deadlock was broken. After a good passing move from the back, the Foxes scored first with Danny finding the net from the edge of the box and with the Buccaneers chasing the game Omar doubled the lead after a succession of saves by the Buccaneers keeper. From the restart the Buccaneers got a goal back but there was not enough time left for the Foxes to be tested further.

Y2 v Shire Colts (A)

It was honours shared after two matches with Shirehampton Colts, both matches ending 2-1.

In the 'Reds' game, the Foxs conceded two early goals against a well-organised Colts team. It took some great defensive work by Ben and a confident and dominent performance by Frazer in goal to keep the Foxes in the game.

After half time though, it was a different story. A change in tactics, to pressurise the Colts and more running with the ball to make use of the big pitch saw Foxes dominate. The free running Kieron and combative Louis in attack created attack after attack, and it was no surprise when Kieron pulled back a much-deserved goal with a fine run and shot. But the Foxes ran out of time, and couldn't quite force the equaliser.

The 'Blues' had learnt from the fine second half performance of the Reds and immediately took control of the game in the same manner. After five minutes, Acer ran free and cooly slotted the ball home. Strong midfield performances by Rajiv and Sam continued to release Acer and Samuel, and it was no surprise when Acer's fine cross from the right was despatched into the corner by Samuel. Soon after, Samuel hit the post; 3-0, at that point would have given them a comfort zone that they deserved. Colts did came back into the game, and a fantastic tackle by Oliver at the end of the first half kept the half kept the score at 2-0.

In the second half, the Foxes kept the Colts at bay. Acer withdrew to midfield to take control of the game, and the defence were magnificently marshalled by Xabi, restricting the Colts to long range shooting. Alex in goal had a great game, always looking comfortable and making some fine blocks, and it took a fine shot from the edge of the penalty area to beat him. The Foxes, however, held on comfortably to win, and it was the Colts' goalkeeper who was the busier at the end.

So a great day. The big pitch suited our game and it was especially pleasing to see some fine passing to players in space. A superb team effort in both games.

Year 5 Foxes v Bishop Road - 15th October 2011

Another fine day for football as we welcomed a large Bishop Road squad onto the hallowed turf of the downs. A good turn out from the foxes considering a number of players were away on international duty, the foxes squad being strengthened by the young, dynamic duo of Jude and Monty.

Squad 1 - Rohan, Jack, William W, Jarnell, John, Ewan, Eddie, Jamie

Match 1

In the first game WPF started very brightly with Rohan in goal, Jack and William W in defence, Ewan and John in midfield with Eddie and Jarnell as strikers. With Jack supporting midfield with powerful runs forward it wasn't long before WPF were in front. Ewan, John and Eddie combined well in midfield and chances were being created particularly for John and Eddie who shared two goals each during the match. Any threat from Bishop Road was quite quickly snuffed out by Jack and William W. Jamie replaced Jarnell in the second half.

Final score WPF 4 Bishop Road 0.

Match 2

In the second game Rohan started in goal, Jack and Jarnell in defence, John, Ewan in mid field, Eddie and Jamie up front. John, Eddie and Ewan passed the ball very well between them creating many opportunities to score, John surging down the left, Ewan down the right and Eddie through the middle. The first half ended with WPF three goals to nil up. In the second half the subs were juggled again, Jarnell replacing Rohan in goal, William W coming on for John. Rohan made the most of his chance to play up front resulting in two good goals from Rohan. Ewan stretched the score even further with his first goal of the day with a very strong right-footed strike from the edge of the penalty box that the keeper couldn't hold. Jamie was very effective in defence.

Final score WPF 6 Bishop Road 0.

Squad 2 - Caston, Oscar, TJ, Matthew Y, Jude, Monty, Harrison, Joseph

Match 1

Caston in goal, with Matthew and Oscar at the back, the nippy 2 in the middle of Jude and Monty with Harrison and Joseph up front.

The Foxes started brightly with a number of attacks down the wings and through the middle. The Foxes' superiority up front soon told with a lovely through ball from Joseph allowing Harrison to smash it into the net. A scare for the Foxes as Monty, our guest player, who had started brightly took a ball into the stomach, As the wind had been taken from his sails, TJ came on to give Monty a few minutes to get his breath back. Another goal soon followed with a beautiful mazy run from Joseph. Bishop Road didn't let their heads drop though and were soon on the attack, they managed a couple of fine shots at our goal but Caston 'the cat' kept them both at bay with a great agile display. Joseph soon grabbed a third goal for the foxes in the 6th minute. Some great defending from Oscar who was showing a great awareness of distribution and some solid blocking from Matthew kept Bishop road pegged back. Harrison being an ever-present threat, constantly probing the Bishop road defence and testing the goal regularly. Jude had a great first half showing he wasn't going to be intimidated by players older than him. The second half started well with the fully recovered Monty coming on for Jude, Monty soon made his presence felt, constantly chasing down balls and looking up for the pass. Joseph soon got his well-deserved hat-trick with a fine strike. The second half continued with a fine passing performance and the boys didn't become complacent and kept up the tempo.

The game finished Foxes 4: BR 0. Well done lads!

Match 2

A bit of a change around in this match. Caston, after his fine display in goal, was given a chance on the pitch with TJ going in goal for the first half and Matthew for the second.

The Foxes started strongly once more, and were soon 1-0 up thanks to Harrison with a fantastic run from defence, carving through Bishop road to put the ball in the net with a fine finish, Jude, our little midfield dynamo had a cracking first half and soon added a second goal with a thunderbolt of a strike. Once more our defence were superb with Oscar again shielding the ball and distributing well, making sure TJ had very little to do! Joseph, who was on fire today, constantly attacked down the right and put in some lovely crosses, and finally got his first goal in this game. Quickly followed by another! Once more foxes on top early on with a great team performance, Caston showing tenacity and skill in midfield to win ball after ball and link up nicely with Monty.

2nd half had a bit if a change around in the team to give people a chance to play in different positions. Bishop road played well but the foxes were more than able to snuff out the attacks as they came. The foxes had chances to put a few more in with some great crosses from Harrison that were just beyond the reach of the players in the box. The 5th and final goal came midway through after yet another foxes attack ended in an unfortunate own goal from a Bishop Road player

The game finished Foxes 5: BR 0

Man of the match - you were all excellent today lads. MoM to Jude for a great midfield display.

Overall - Played 4 won 4

Aggregate score - Foxes 19: Bishop Road 0

Another great solid performance from you all today lads. Great passing and movement. Well done!

Fabulous Foxes Fling Fireworks at the Falcons!

Y6 Girls v Thornbury Falcons, Nov 5th on The Downs.

3-2 and 5-1

It was bonfire night, and our fab foxes certainly set fire to Thornbury Falcons today. They came out like pocket rockets, spun like catherine wheels and by the time they were done, there was nothing but red and black cinders left of the opposition.

Ok, enough with the corny puns.

Thornbury are the league leaders in the Bristol Girls League, the team to beat. They came in strength, with two teams to battle our brave Y6 foxes. Naturally we outnumbered them, 17-12, and both of our squads played some of the best footie of the season to record historic victories.

Well done girls, you should all stand proud.

The white team featured Marielle and Erin taking turns in goal, Ella T, Ella C, Tia, Sophie C, Sophie HR, Megan.  Both goalies made some game changing saves, and the defence was rock solid. Several times Ella T, Sophie HR and Megan faced a breakaway pack of three bearing down on them. No problem. Tackles were well timed and solid; occasionally a shot was fired off, and our keepers were more than a match for them. 

Up front, Tia had the game of her life, running like someone really had put a firecracker somewhere they shouldn’t have. She scored a well deserved goal, as did her strike force partner Sophie C, who actually put two away. Sophie HR and Erin showed new strength as mega throw-in merchants, Sophie nearly scoring from a throw on one occasion, and Erin setting up one of Sophie C’s two goals.

When she came out of goal, Marielle showed her speed and skill, winning a lovely little goal that made it 4-1

But the final word should go to the fox with the final kick, Ella Clarke. She ran her socks off this week, and won tackle after tackle. The only thing she lacked was a little belief, and when her final kick found the back of the net, hopefully that has been put right. You’re good girl!

The Green Team was frankly scary. Emily B in goal, Emily C, Anna R, Bryony, Sophie M, Emily T, Phoebe, Paige and Anna D. 

On their day, this is one of the finest teams in the district.

And today, it seems, was their day. 

Passing was fluent and intelligent, tackles hard but fair, and they ran non stop. Emily B made some terrific saves, Thornbury had to find real class to score. In defence, Emily C had a cracker, making some game-changing tackles; Anna R, always a wonderfully reliable tackler, has added clever passing, picking out our midfielders and building counter attacks. Bryony seems to be everywhere, turning and twisting like one of those spiralling corkscrew fireworks and confounding the opposition!

Up front, Phoebe, Paige and Anna D ran as fast as ever, but the passes are quicker and earlier. Thornbury’s defence is solid, and it took waves of foxy attacks to break it down. 

But you know those games when one team just always seems to have more players on the pitch? This was one - and that team was in green and white.

Anna and Sophie M scored early in the first half, but then Thornbury came back to make it level until 40 minutes were on the clock and injury time was ticking. You could feel the desire.. and when the foxes found the net after a lovely series of passes from Emily T, Sophie, Anna and Phoebe, well, the Downs erupted.

A great morning’s footie. The Foxes really played as a team, encouraging each other even when goals went the wrong way, and running to the last whistle.

They may have cancelled the bonfire on Saturday night, but there were fireworks on the Downs in the morning, oh yes.

Year 6 BSYL - 29th October

The challenges (and benefits) of being a school-based club playing in a league came into sharp focus this weekend. Half-term clashed with games for both the Greens and the Whites and many year 6s were off at various warm-weather training camps. The games had to go-ahead or we would lose the points anyway and so we turned to the rather wonderful year 5s....

The Greens faced an arduous journey to Coombe Dingle to take on Rockleaze. On Saturday morning our year 6 contingent was reduced to four by some last minute withdrawals. Starting with a backbone of year 6's in defence, the midfield was an all year 5 affair with Joseph on the right, Henry in the centre and Harrison down the left. The Foxes started the brightest and within five minutes a good passing move was capped by a fine finish from Joseph. Harrison was next on the score sheet with an unstoppable shot from the left. Rockleaze pulled one back but hard work by strikers to keep pressure on the ball when it was in the opposition's half soon lead to Joseph to score his second. Rohan came on for the last ten minutes of the first half and his hard work was almost rewarded with a goal.

Half time. After the break it was the Pirates who came out of the blocks quicker and scored an early goal to put us under pressure. For the next 10 minutes it looked as though Rockleaze were the more likely to score but great work from Sam, Ollie and Oscar in defence and Archie in goal kept us in the match and the pace of Harrison down the left led to a well taken goal from Henry. Henry then scored from a great solo run through central midfield and completed his hat-trick, with the final goal coming as Joseph completed his hat-trick after being played in by Max. The coaches were thrilled with the year fives contribution in this match as they stuck to their tasks and did all that was asked of them. A great credit to the Foxes. Special mention must go to Archie in goal who led his defence fantastically. The Captain's armband was awarded to Sam P. for 50 minutes of top quality defending. Well done Sam.

At home the Whites' played out a 1-1 which was their game of the season so far. Stoke Lane turned up with at least 5 of their 'A' squad Sunday league players and were a big, powerful and skillful side. This was made an even greater challenge by a the dawning realisation that Harri TD wasn't actually going to show up....leaving us with a squad of 8, but those who were there played heroically.

Stoke Lane threw the kitchen sink at us in the first 10 minutes but we soaked it up. Then, the first time Joey beat some players and burst through the middle he slotted home nicely. Their equaliser came from a well hit diagonal cross from the right, which Joey got his head to, only for it to loop wildly into the top corner. Minutes later we then had the chance of the game, when a slick 3 pass move sent Sonny through on the keeper, but he just pulled it wide.

The second half was a bit of a rearguard action, with Stoke Lane pinging it around very well but never quite cutting through us. Sam Lawes played in defence most of the game and did us proud in an unfamiliar position. By the end we had 3 at the back to match their 3 forwards, but we still managed to break out on several occasions, and with better weighted final passes could have been in once or twice.

Credit must go to Owen who had a truly outstanding game in goal, catching everything in the air like an Aussie Rules player, diving at strikers' feet, blocking and clearing with his legs when he had to, and generally keeping us in it. Sebastian did very well on his return, playing the whole 50 minutes and keeping out some very skillful players. Joey had another brilliant game and Sonny, Raul, Jacob and Alec worked their socks off.