Bale? No, Vale..in Wales!

 English international tournament success shock

Vale Ladies FC Girls Tournament, Barry RFC, Vale of Glamorgan - 26th June 2016

The U13 girl Foxes crossed the Channel - the Bristol Channel - to claim perhaps their most impressive tournament victory yet.

A brave debut last year in this friendly event had seen the Foxes pipped by hosts Vale in the final. This time a strong squad of 10 travelled west of Cardiff, on a distinctly chilly and damp November June morning, with the aim of going one better. With 12 teams in 3 groups of 4, the girls faced two of Vale's 4 teams, and strong local outfit Sully Sports, in the 20 minute pool games. For once - and in sharp contrast to last year's opening shambles - the green and white hoops were quickly out of the blocks, with a comprehensive 6-0 win in the opener. Sully Sports provided stiffer opposition. After the Foxes had gone 3-0 up, with a 20 yard screamer from Emily H, levels dropped and Sully twice nipped through the defence to bring it back to 3-2. A late Zoe strike settled nerves to secure a win which ensured they would top the group. The final game against Vale No. 2 saw a sluggish start, until - not for the first time on this day - the Foxes played better going up the (severe) pitch slope in the second half to ease through 3-0.

During the lunch break the girls refuelled, also befriending "Buddy the Dog", the mascot from the local radio station "Bro FM", whose kid-and-parent friendly mix of current pop hits and 80s classics even led to a brief outbreak of moonwalking...

It was back to business in a tough semi-final against AFC Porth, a small but highly skilled local side. The Foxes steadied nerves early on when Lulu, as she has been known to do before, floated one in straight from a corner. Porth equalised with a stunning scissor volley from a long free kick and it was game on.

 But the battling Foxes dug in and Zoe was put through to strike yet again and secure a 2-1 victory.

The “Severnside derby” final looked a daunting prospect. Cardiff City Ladies FC are the South Wales Girls League champions, having lost only one game all season. They had not conceded a goal in the tournament, and had despatched hosts and holders Vale Dragons in the other semi. They looked a formidable outfit, and probably expected to win..

They had reckoned without Bristol's finest. With every challenge over the pitch fiercely but fairly contested, Cardiff soon knew they were in a game. The Foxes went close from the kick off, and soon a devastating swift counter-attack initiated by Rhiannon put the "ZoeSim" strike force in to take the lead. Then ZoeSim combined brilliantly again to double it by half time.

Pressing for a comeback, but being repeatedly repelled by the iron tackling and ball winning of Lulu and the Foxes' swift and powerful "RhiLaurEm" defensive unit, Cardiff left themselves open for a sucker punch. Sim released Zoe yet again, to net the third and send the Bristol fans wild.

It wasn't over yet. Cardiff got one back with a long range screamer, then another from close range after a series of late corners. The stopwatch ticked past full time, and still the game went on. One final effort was repelled, the whistle went and jubilation ensued.

There is not enough space to record the scorers of all the goals (18 - both Zoe and Sim scored a lot), or to give enough praise to each of the ten girls (Amelia, Molly, Sim, Zoe, Rhiannon, Lulu, Mara, Ella B, Lauren, Emily H) who lifted the trophy. Every single one played their part and contributed a magic moment at some point, whether starting or coming off the bench. Special mentions must go to our outstanding and selfless goalies Amelia and Ella B, who donned the gloves, grasped the complex rules and displayed some great handling and saving skills. Lauren's effortlessly calm defending and control, and Emily H's fearless facing up to some of our opponents' most dangerous attackers, further laid the foundations for success.

This was an enjoyable, sporting and friendly event played to a high standard. Now if only they could fix the weather....

Foxes go close in Dorset

Redlands Tournament, Weymouth, 18th June 2016

The U13 girls continued their scenic tournament tour of Britain, reaching the semi-finals at the Redlands Football Festival in Weymouth before falling 1-0 to the hosts and eventual winners.

Good movement off the ball

Don't fall in!

Nine intrepid Foxes made the 2 hour trip to the South Coast, with Zoe and Emily forming an advance guard on Friday evening and even putting in a light training session on the beach.

                  

Yee-haw!

Others followed early on Saturday morning. The "Redlands Rebels" tournament DJ played a selection of pop hits rather than (as their flag, above, might have suggested) rockabilly and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The 10 minute games were started centrally by the sounding of a Rugby League-style hooter, and finished with a minute long rendition of the "Countdown" TV theme blasted through loudspeakers. Because refs with whistles and stopwatches would have been much too complicated.

The Foxes were into their stride quickly with a 2-0 win over likely group rivals Merley Cobham, followed by a slightly more comfortable 2-0 against Branksome Town. New signing Amelia  caught the eye with a strong showing and a goal on her debut, with Sim, Zoe and Rhiannon also netting. With Betty absent on drama duty, there was a rotating cast of goalkeepers in her place, including comfortable clean sheets for Emily H and Ella B. Poole Town, with a strong squad of County FA players, were the obvious threat in the group. A slightly fractious and physical encounter with them saw an early Foxes goal chalked off, then a well worked late winner for Poole.

A win was required in the final group game against Chickerell United to ensure progress. An early penalty, smoothly converted by Zoe, settled nerves and the girls saw the match through comfortably to the 'final Countdown'.
 

At this point the chief scout finally justified his presence in the entourage with a successful challenge of an error in the scorer's tent, which would have seen the Foxes eliminated and playing for the 'losers' Plate'. They were correctly restored to a semi-final place against tournament hosts Redlands, the Dorset league and cup double winners...

The Foxes started brightly and had Redlands rocking. Ella B might not have been the biggest goalie, but she pulled off a handful of brilliant saves to keep the game level. Even Ella, however, could not keep out the rebound from her best save of all, and the powerful Rebels took the lead.

Then, confusion. If you're going to have centralised timing by hooters and music, at least set it off at the right time. The Countdown theme sounded, and a minute later it was all over. Or was it? It had seemed like a very quick game. That's because it was: only 7 minutes had elapsed. Handshakes had been exchanged, and two of our players had gone to the loo, when the team coaches sportingly agreed that there had been an error and that 3 more minutes should be played. The Foxes scrambled their players back on the pitch and play resumed, but the stoppage had removed the Foxes' momentum and the Rebels held on to their lead until the (second) end.

Overall, it was another fun and successful trip to 'foreign parts' to test ourselves against other teams. Redlands and Poole were clearly the top teams in the county, with plenty of FA coached players and a distinct physical edge to their game, but Bristol's finest more than held their own and could have beaten them on another day.

A lull in the action

International duty is resumed next Sunday...in Wales. Barry Island here we come!

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!