Once..Twice..Three Times a Champion!

U13 Foxes Girls Queens of the Cotswolds again

They must be getting sick of us.

For the third year in a row, the friendly hosts at Carterton Town FC in Oxfordshire handed over the shiny trophy to the green-and-white hooped raiders from the West. There were wild celebrations around Tamsin's swanky new "Event Shelter" (a posh gazebo, or a tent with no sides), as the sun finally pierced the gloom to illuminate another stirring Foxes triumph.

 

Take heart, England supporters. One disappointing early result doesn't mean you're out. Or even two. Just as well, as the girls' group stage form fluctuated as often as the moody weather. A confident 2-0 opening win against the hosts looked to have set the ball rolling, with Zoe grabbing a swift brace to settle everyone's tournament season nerves. But then...
The girls of Quarry Rovers may have lacked a little finesse on the ball. But they had a secret weapon. Dave R's keen sports coaching eye spotted significant field events potential in the extraordinary long throw-ins of a girl locals must surely know as the "Headington Howitzer". Picture Rory Delap on a cold night in Stoke and you're still nowhere near. One hurl from half way actually sailed over the bar. Another found its way into the Foxes net via a couple of deflections, leading to a shock 0-1 reverse.

Not to worry: in the next game, a dizzying Rhiannon dribble from deep, then a cool finish, finally defeated the inspired goalie and charmed goal of Tower Hill Vixens. Back on course? No. The next game against the "Swindon Spitfires" saw the Foxes cruise to an early lead with a cheeky Zoe backheel from a corner. There followed an uncharacteristic defensive collapse, and a deserved 3-1 defeat. "For me, we were awful", as Alan Shearer might have observed.

This is when top level coaches earn their corn. No use crying over spilt milk, shouting or cursing. That's for the parents on the sidelines. A few careful words from Mark and Graham, and the release of Lulu from goal to the outfield, did the trick. With Millie bravely and effectively assuming duties between the sticks, Lulu blasted home the opener in the final group game against Ashton Keynes (Milton's younger sibling?), before cleverly laying a direct free kick to the side for Sim to drive in the second and ensure progress from the group.
Our Swindon nemesis beckoned in the semi-final. But in this particular "M4 derby", Bristol came out on top. An intricate running and passing move between Rhiannon and Ella B was beautifully finished by Sim to set up an eagerly anticipated Foxes v Vixens decider.

The final epitomised everything the team and club are about. Everyone played their part. An inspired Amelia won every 50:50 challenge. Ella B danced around bigger players and kept the Foxes driving forward. Molly chased down loose balls up front to help maintain relentless pressure on the Tower Hill goal. Lulu tracked back and effortlessly linked up the play. But despite a dominant first half, the breakthrough would not come, until..

..Rhiannon stormed down the left wing, beat three players and bore in on goal. At that point, the intelligent movement of Zoe in the box distracted the defence and allowed Rhi to squeeze in the shot at the near post. There followed four minutes of anxious parental pacing and hollering, but calm game management on the pitch. Millie's handling in goal was rock solid. Lulu snuffed out what danger there was, while initiating further attacks from Ella and Zoe to keep the ball at the other end. There was to be no repeat of the 2014 penalties drama between the same sides, as Bristol's finest saw out the game to clinch the spoils.

 

So the 2016 Carterton Under 13s trophy was added to the groaning trophy cabinet. Living entirely for pleasure, the victorious team and parents celebrated in the traditional manner - with a cream tea at the scenic "Teletubby" Gloucester services on the M5. It was an excellent start to what promises to be an exciting tournament season. Credit goes to the coaches, the players who played, and all those who were not there but who surely contributed to this win through months of training, teamwork and fun. Special mentions also to i) the "Event Shelter" - this could become a permanent fixture at tournaments, at least until the next tornado ii) the Beswethericks' proper tent; and iii) Ella's lucky blue balloon.


Next stop Weymouth!