Putting up the goals (*no Foxes were harmed in the making of this picture)

Foxes win tough battle of the Greens

Westbury Park Foxes U14 Girls 5 Keynsham Town 0

A new era dawned at BAWA, with the girls' first home fixture on the 11 a side pitch parallel to Southmead Road, just yards over the county boundary into South Gloucestershire. The first visitors, themselves all the way (technically) from Bath and North East Somerset, were the formidable and hugely improved Keynsham Town, hosts of last summer's Chinese food-fuelled and sunshine soaked 11 a side tournament. Fresh from a shock heavy opening day defeat of Portishead, they would surely provide a stiff test. They would have to do so in blue bibs, to avoid a green-and-white colour clash with the home side.

The Foxes faced their first big challenge half an hour before kick off - putting the posts and nets up. That service is apparently not included in the annual pitch hire fees. Happily, the groundsman was on hand to provide a brief tutorial. Net on first, corner supports on last, and on no account should more than two people lift the posts into the holes. After only a small amount of faffing, it was 'job done' and we were ready to go.

The Foxes lined up in their now familiar but fluid 4-4-2 formation, and proceeded to dominate the early possession and exchanges. With Lulu winning every first, second and even third ball challenge in the midfield, and lively forays on the wings and through the middle from Mara, Georgia and the strikers, it was only a matter of time before the pressure told. The early goal came at the fourth time of asking, when a goalmouth 'stramash' ended with Sim blasting in from close range. The second followed soon after - by now the transitions (especially from Emily and Abby) from defence to attack were flowing smoothly, and Lulu was released into a pocket of space 20 yards out, from where she buried a low piledriver in the bottom corner.

The 'three Ps' - pressing, possession and passing - actually four, if you add passion..and five if you add 'poise'..anyway ...those were all maintained, and it was not long before Zoe homed  in on goal from the right to finish low for number three. The Foxes went to the break seemingly in control of the game and cruising.

Keynsham were not, however, about to roll over. They came out for the second half fired up, moving the ball well and winning more and more 50:50s. The Foxes, perhaps too comfortable in their lead, sat off and allowed Keynsham to play some nice football, with several dangerous attacks down the right wing. For long spells the ball was in the Foxes' half, and 11-a-side debutante Betty in goal was forced to gather or catch a number of through balls, clear her lines and generally look lively. More than once it appeared that Keynsham were in, but with Betty tipping one high goal-bound effort aside, and Rhiannon more than once dribbling out of trouble in the six yard box, the line remained unbroken.

Somewhat inevitably, and a little harshly on the visitors, the Foxes then struck lethally on the counter attack, twice more. Sim claimed the fourth from an oddly deflected looping shot, then Zoe charged down the right, ignoring shouts of 'cross it!' to find the top left corner with a sweet strike. It was, in the end, a convincing but slightly flattering 5-0 win. Keynsham will trouble most BGL teams this season, and will still consider themselves title contenders despite this setback. They never let their heads drop, and never stopped trying for the elusive goal their efforts deserved.

Strong Foxes performances were too numerous to list in full, but particular mentions are due to Georgia, who impressed with her silky touch and intelligent runs; keeper Betty, for filling the goal and not putting a foot (or glove) wrong; and to the tenacious and skilful Emily H, who time and time again snuffed out real danger on the left side, then usually countered with a strong run or through ball to the dancing feet of Mara.

So it's two wins out of two, and top of the league above (possibly alphabetically, but even so..) the only other team with a 100% record. There have been interesting results all round, in what must be the most competitive edition yet of this league. But the Foxes, with four other good players missing but soon to return, are looking as strong as those goalposts.....

Girl of the Game: Georgia

Goal of the Game: Lulu's scorcher