Because Bristol is not enough…….
The all-conquering U11 girls went on the road on Sunday to the Carterton Town FC Summer Tournament - a trail first blazed by Foxes girls 3 years ago (*see blog dated 11th June 2011). Calamity had struck the squad in training on Saturday, when keeper Betty broke a finger making a typically brave stop. Lulu stepped in to don the gloves, and was joined in the squad by Lily, Molly, Rhiannon, Ella, Sim, Emily and Amelia.
The Foxes took their place at a tournament deep in the Cotswold countryside in the shadow of RAF Brize Norton. There were ten teams, in two groups of five - mostly members of the Oxfordshire Girls League, with poetic and evocative names like Summertown, Wantage, Ashton Keynes, Stonefields....oh, and Didcot. With Lulu between the sticks, and the games being only 6-a-side, some formation rejigging and experimenting was required. All of the squad adapted magnificently. After their habitual slow tournament start (0-0 v. hosts Carterton) the girls were soon into their stride, with 2-0 and 1-0 wins over Summertown and Wantage respectively, followed by another goalless draw which was enough to top the group.
The generous format meant that four out of the five group teams went through to the quarter finals, but the Foxes' top seeding gave them a reasonably comfortable fixture which they won 2-0. In these first five games, Sim bagged her usual share of the goals, with Lily also on target with a fine finish. Ella and Lily were chief providers, tormenting defences down the wings in the blazing Oxfordshire sunshine. Ever-present Rhiannon coolly anchored the midfield, aided by a superb showing from Molly. With Lulu flawless in goal, helped by some tough and skilful defending from Amelia and Emily, the Foxes were looking good going into the semi against Didcot.
'The Railway Girls' (as perhaps they are known by their supporters) had their best chance when their biggest player launched a howitzer goal kick to force a tidy save from Lulu. But the neat and skilful Foxes gradually took control, deserving an early one goal lead, before a golden moment which sparked wild touchline celebrations. Ella stroked a perfectly judged corner into the danger area, where it was met first time by the right boot of Emily, for her first ever competitive goal! 2-0 to the Foxes and a place in the final against Tower Hill Vixens, the Oxfordshire league champions.
The final was a close and tense affair, with chances at both ends, but with Amelia, Rhiannon and Molly in particular putting in sterling work to shackle Tower Hill's star player. The man in black blew for full time...and it was straight to penalties.
The Tower Hill star scored first, but Sim followed her with a rocket which nearly took the net off. Lulu then saved the next one, then trotted casually out to blast home the Foxes' second. Once she remembered that she had to trot back into goal again, she resumed her position, only for her unfortunate opponent to drag her shot wide. The Foxes were the champions!
No one player could be singled out as girl of the tournament. The outstanding feature of this day was the way in which every member of the squad of eight made a huge contribution. They achieved their success, as always, with smiles on their faces, and were praised by opponents and officials for their good manners as well as good play.
So it's yet another trophy for the 'cabinet' (we don't actually have one - perhaps we need one), shields all round, and a big thank you to all parents, coaches, and above all...Amelia's dog Dougal, our lucky mascot.
Girl of the tournament: All of them
Captain of the Week: Dougal the dog
Stop press: Betty's finger should be OK to be back between the sticks in 4 weeks time!
