Away win, score draw

Ashley Down Y4s 0 - 2 Westbury Park Foxes Y4s Blues

Ashley Down Y4s 1 - 1 Westbury Park Foxes Y4s Reds

“You’re going down, Ashley !” the cries rang out on a crisp Autumn morning in September as the (over)confident Year 4 Foxes bounded across the pitch, ready for action.  Two teams of raw, unbridled talent, searching for their first win of the season.

And they got it.

The Blues stepped up to the mark first: Ben S, Kione, Kaylen, Ben H, Maxi, Ned and Danny.

The whistle blew and they were off into battle!

With a combination of fancy footwork, unfortunate woodwork and some superlative teamwork, the Blue Foxes roared off into a first half that left them 2 nil up by the time they’d strolled over for oranges.

With some great passing work between Max and Kione, two gorgeous goals, and a plethora of chances either smashing off the post, or floating and dipping tantalisingly close to the top corner, the Foxes were well in control.

Ned and Ben’s defiant textbook goalkeeping, coupled with a solid 40ft wall that was the defence of Ben, Kaylen and Danny, helped keep a well-deserved clean sheet.  

Midway through the first half, Kaylen got a pounding and momentarily had to come off injured, but was quickly replaced by the indefatigable Seb, who took up the mantle honourably and battled like a terrier in a cattery.

The second half was more of the same, as Ashley Down took more control and started their fight-back, but for this game it was too little, too late, as the Foxes held their own until the final whistle.

An awesome game and a well-deserved “Player of the Week” trophy for Danny, who battled valiantly for every ball that came his way.

Now it was time for the Reds to do their stuff.

There was a tenseness in the air now. The Downers had had a rallying team talk and looked like they meant business this time. This was going to be tougher.

Lawrence, Ben L, Ed, Aran, Harry, Gabriel, Connie and Neeraj stepped up to the plate.

Sir Alex announced his formation. The little heard of 4-1-1-1 line up. “When I want your opinion, I’ll rattle your cage” was his terse reply to Signor Mancini's casual questioning.

The game began…Captain Neeraj was omnipresent, a devilish little workhorse, darting this way and that until he was finally rewarded with a goal !

1-0.  

Game on.

Harry was his usual unstoppable, untiring self and with a bit of luck could have had a couple of spectacular goals of his own. Connie surpassed himself with his pace and skill tearing down the wing.

Some excellent brave defensive work from Ben, Gabe and Aran kept the Downers at bay for a long time, and the combined goalkeeping skills of Ed and Lawrence frustrated the opposition no end.

But in the end, it was only a fumbled, scrambled equalizer that popped in out of nowhere that gave the Downers some hope…and that hope spurred them on to some great football. But it stayed a draw til the final whistle, and a well fought one at that.

Ashley Down had surpassed themselves this time, and have grown to be a force to be reckoned with (as demonstrated in the final 8-a-side kickabout, which they won 2-1), but it was another top class performance from the Foxes and well worth the entry fee.

Bring on newly-promoted Sefton Park, we’re ready…

R Mancini, Direttore Sportivo