Clavering Foxes

15/03/2020

CLAVERING FOXES Vs HUNTINGDON PARK RANGERS – 15/3/20
Our final home game of the season saw us facing off against Huntingdon for the third time this season. Previous two games saw a 4-2 win and a horrific 4-1 loss a few weeks ago.
With the Corona virus ruining all sport on TV there was a capacity crowd braving the savage winds at ‘The Den’ for today’s game.
For the second week running, Clavering needed to cull the huge squad that was available to the Gaffer Rhys. This meant that a couple of key players would have a week off ready for the next 3 games against the big undefeated top 3.
A different formation of 3-2-3-2 was set up with the gaffer Rhys putting himself up top.
The game started much like last week, Clavering on top but with little to show for it. It took a 30 yard free kick from Crackers to break the stale mate. What looked a lot like a miss hit cross cunningly deceived the Huntingdon keeper who watched the ball gently float over his head. Muted celebrations followed with nobody really sure if we were allowed to hi five/hug/snuggle. A few cheeky hi elbow later saw us running back to our half to chase a quick second.
1-0 FOXES - Crackers
Unfortunately, the second goal did not follow quickly. Clavering were undoubtably the better team. The ball did end up in the back of Huntingdon’s net. A throw from the skipper went past everyone without a touch. No goal. Chance after chance fell to the foxes with some terrible finishing and great saves from the keeper keeping the score at 1-0.
A huge double chance squandered by Clavering just before half time meant that the score stayed at 1-0 going into the break. Clavering’s number 1 Dore had not had too much to do but was solid when coming out, clearing and taking in crosses like a pro.
HT 1-0
The second half started positively for the foxes. The constant substitutions were working in our favour and you could feel the Park rangers were starting to tire. When their midfield and strikers started to kick off with each other the Foxes knew they were dominating in defence, midfield and attack and were desperate to score a second.
The chances were falling to Clavering, Charlie, Rhys, and Elliott all unlucky not to score. Our usual left back Alex found himself in a slightly unfamiliar position on right wing but had a truly exceptional shot with a delicious half turn over the shoulder volley that left the keeper rooted to the spot. The players heard the groans from the fans as it sailed inches over the bar. Clavering were getting closer.
Huntingdon dodged a bullet when Rhys was brought down in the box in a great goal scoring position. Annoyingly the ref waved it away. Comically watching the defender apologising to Rhys for the terrible tackle.
The ball was again in the back of the net from a trademark long throw. The keeper, who after his initial mistake for the goal had been solid for the visitors went all flappy and got a touch knocking it into his own net. Frustratingly the ref missed the touch and Huntingdon survived again.
Minutes later from a similar position, another long throw was flung towards Granger at the back post. A defender got up to intercept and casually glanced the ball into his own net.
2-0 Foxes OG
The foxes were now chasing a third and they thought they had it when another throw in was glanced on by AJ and then took a touch off a defender. Incredibly the ref had missed both touches and disallowed the goal.
In typical foxes fashion we decided to try and make it hard for ourselves in the final few minutes. Clavering had played a beautiful defensive line the whole game but with about 10 minutes to go found themselves split by the dangerous Huntingdon number 11. The lead looked to be halved as the closest defender and the slowest of the 3 centre backs gave chase and flung himself at the ball, the striker tried to take an extra touch and gave Stu the extra half second he needed to block the shot.
With the game dying out and Clavering sensibly securing up the defence it was a slightly muted end to the game. However, a great win for the foxes in this end of season 6 pointer.
FT 2-0 (Crackers, OG)
Todays MOTM as voted for by the Clavering players was split between Dore (clean sheet) and AJ (midfield maestro). Well played boys.
Many thanks to the fans who came out in the cold to watch the game today. We have appreciated the support all season and look forward to seeing you all again in the near future.

14/03/2020

08/03/2020

Sunday 8th March 2020

🦊 vs Waterbeach

Today’s game preparation started early In the week. With 20 players available it fell to Charlie and Rhys to try and cut this to a more manageable number.

Clavering started strong. With 3 fantastic players on the bench the decision was made to rotate players every 15/20 minutes.

The first 25 minutes were a cagey affair. There is no question that Clavering were on top but with the score at 0-0 the game needed a goal.....

Some beautiful build up play from James and Chris found Charlie on edge of the box. Ignoring calls for a pass back he looked up and hit one of the sweetest strikes that Sunday league has ever seen past the stranded keeper.
⚽ 🦊 Charlie Bull
1-0

It wasn’t long before the lead was doubled. Chris again playing a delicious through ball for Charlie to run onto. He took a touch and smashed the ball past the stranded keeper. There was no celebrations apart from the foxes strikers. Had it gone through the side netting? The ref didn’t think so. The foxes ran to Charlie celebrate.
⚽🦊 Charlie Bull
2-0

It was important that we saw out the half but Clavering wanted another. They had caused havoc with the long throw and it was only a matter of time before it resulted in a goal. It came on the stroke of half time. A hard powerful throw was flung at the keeper by Stu, a nudge from Alex on the goalie and a deflection off a defender found the ball in the back of the net.
⚽🦊 OG (Stu Taylor)

HT 🦊3-0

Alex as a stand in Gaffer was pulling the strings. Rotating players giving everyone as many minutes as possible Clavering were looking fresh and were eager to get back out on the pitch.

The second half started the same way as the first had ended. Clavering were straight on the attack. Nobody was really sure how it happened but the ball ended up in the Waterbeach net off a defenders attempt at a block.
⚽🦊 OG
4-0

Seconds later it was 5-0. The foxes were dominating and waterbeach could do nothing to stop the midfield cutting through them like a hot knife through
butter. A naughty floated ball from Arin over the top was brought down by Charlie with a stunning first touch and calmly finished for his hat trick.
⚽🦊 Charlie Bull (Hat-trick)
5-0

The next 15 minutes showed Clavering dominating in defence, midfield and attack. They were playing some incredible passing football. Small short quick passes were flying all over the place. Waterbeach looked tired. They were dropping further and further back to try and stop the Clavering attack. Waterbeach were just trying to clear their lines and kicking the ball off near the corner flag saw Stu jogging up for yet another throw in. The ball was zipped in low and fast. Chris prepared himself for the easiest tap in of his career. At the last second the defender got a leg in front but was only able to steer the ball past his own keeper.
⚽🦊 OG (Stu Taylor)
6-0

By this point Alex was using the subs as often as possible. Players were finding themselves in slightly unfamiliar positions but were battling hard and were dominating all over the pitch. Against the run of play Waterbeach pulled one back. Their right winger attempted the cross, shinned it and gently floated it towards the Clavering goal. It might have been the sun, the wind or the lack of any real attempts on his goal but the ball somehow ended up lobbing Dore.
⚽Waterbeach
6-1

Clavering were after another. Olly found himself on the left wing. He beat one, he beat two and was kicked off the ball by the third! PENALTY.

What happened next was nothing short of magical. The ball was placed on the spot, 5 steps were taken back, a fast run up, the ball sweetly struck with both pace and power. You could not have placed the ball more in the top right hand corner if you had put it there by hand. A true screamer. Somewhere over the Atlantic a shiver ran through Billy’s body. In that moment he must have realised something special had just happened.

Congratulations to Olly for his first ever goal. What a beauty!
⚽🦊 Olly Kerr
7-1

Clavering had chances for another but it wasn’t to be. A fantastic team performance, great substitutions, great fans and a great result.

FT
🦊7
Waterbeach 1

Many thanks to those who came to watch and support today.

MOTM - hat trick hero Charlie Bull

01/03/2020

St Davids Day!

With the recent weather our pitch was more like a Welsh leek field than something to play football on, perhaps we should have been embracing a rugby ball instead.

Thankfully the first meteorological day of spring was kind. Whilst windy and cold, it was also sunny!

An interesting game of football unfolded in front of the substitutes and fans.

Perhaps the Foxes had watched the Watford/Liverpool game the night before, making it clear that despite previous results we are still a good team.

As I often state, for a Sunday team we really do try to play "proper" football. Clearly we are not pros, but the desire to play real football makes it so much easier to watch, engage in and enjoy.

Sadly we did concede the first goal, which in honesty was one of those goal we could do little about. Defensively we did what we could, only for the ball to break to the oppositions best player from 20 yards out. He had choices, but decided to whack it, upon which the net bulged.

There was still nothing between the sides, which was how the half ended. From a throw, a flick on and a toe poke from Ian allowed for an equal scoreline.

The second half was not too dissimilar to the first with little between the 2 sides. That was until we attacked too forcefully, allowing for a break leaving a 2 on 2 situation. 1-2!

We gathered ourselves and re-engaged, pushing for the equaliser. Various opportunities happened, some better than others, but we were clearly knocking on their door.

It was only a matter of time until we scored,and thankfully we did through Charlie.

Two Two it ended. Referee, opposition and foxes felt this was a correct scoreline, albeit shared points, after such an honest and competitive game.

So with daffodil in hand "Llwynogod wedi'u chwarae'n dda!"

29/02/2020

HOME AGAIN THIS WEEK!

LONGSTANTON ARE THE OPPOSITION, 10.30 KO AS ALWAYS.

SEE YOU THERE!

23/02/2020

Today was always going to be a tough ask. We were playing top of the league, who are unbeaten ao far this season, and recently beat last weeks victors 12-1.

Buoyed by the return of some key personnel, we kicked out with an air of confidence in the awirling wind of Jubilee Field.

Unfortunately, we did not start well, a combination of defensive errors, and the windswept ball offering the visitors the better of any 50/50 ball, we found ourselves 4-0 down in 25 minutes.

A well worked move leaving Charlie the opportunity to open his legs led to a tap in for Travis at the back stick. 4-1.

A soft penalty followed, duly converted despite the best efforts of stand in keeper Charlie Dore.

5-1 at half time

We started the seoncd half the better team, but once again we conceded.

Chris Martin was left alone later on in the half to tap in for his 2nd goal in as many games.

Final score 7-2

02/02/2020

2/2/20
🦊v🐺

Today’s game followed a rest week for the mighty Clavering Foxes after Pymoor bottled it against us for a second time last week.

This weeks opponents were Willingham 🐺 who we had already played twice this season. Last time the travelling team came to us we turned them over 3-0 following a 4-2 loss away the week before.

The game started with Willingham on the front foot, although they had loads of the ball Clavering kept Willingham from having any real chances.

Against the run of play 🦊 made the break through. A superbly stuck free kick from Crackers was too much for the 🐺 defence who’s attempted headed clearance glanced past their keeper. ⚽

🦊1
🐺0

It was Clavering who were getting the better chances and it was a trademark long throw that created the second. The balled zipped towards the back post, did Draper get a touch? Did Willingham manage to score their second OG? Suddenly it didn’t seem to mater.... the ref was walking over to the assistant running the line. The ref reminded the lino that you can’t be offside from a throw in and the goal was given. ⚽

🦊2
🐺0

The end of the second half could have been a lot worse when a horrible clash of heads between Crackers and wolves number 4. Crackers run it off but was sensibly subbed at the interval. Huge shame as he was running the game in mid field for Clavering.

A wide selection of changes at half time by the gaffer Rhys. Fresh legs in midfield and up top gave us a real purpose going forwards.

Foxes started to move the ball nicely. We had some great chances with their keeper pulling off a couple decent saves. The ongoing battle with Billy and wolves number 8 started to bubble over. A horrible attempt to win the ball in the box saw Clavering awarded a penalty.

The 🐺number 9 was allowed out of the foxes defenders pocket long enough for him to be sin binned protesting the pen. He was then carded 🟡 and sin binned for kicking off, then finally sent off for continuing his protest on the side line 🟡 🔴. Billy who had now waited about 3 days to take the penalty made no mistake and blasted the ball past the helpless keeper. ⚽

🦊3
🐺0

With Willingham down to 10 men and Clavering looking dangerous on the counter it was almost guaranteed that the boys in orange would try and make it hard on themselves. This came from a free kick just outside the foxes area. A last second call of switch player left our skipper wrong footed and although he is gifted with incredible pace 🤥 was unable to make up the ground on the nippy striker who nodded home past our stand in keeper Dore. ⚽

🦊3
🐺1

Boosted by the goal Willingham came out firing. Our full backs Alex and Olly stood strong and put several excellent last ditch slide tackles in. Slowly Clavering regained their confidence and the midfield duo of Elliot and Billy got hold of the ball and started bossing the game once again.

Wolves were lucky to not be down to 9 men when Billy was hit from behind by their number 8. Luckily for them the ref was looking the other way and Billy didn’t make a song and dance of it.

The game definitely had another goal in it, both teams knew it but Clavering wanted it more. Stu was doing his best to waste as much time as possible taking as long as possible to walk over to take a throw in. A hard direct throw was met beautifully by Travis who expertly directed the ball home with his head from 9 yards. ⚽

Willingham’s heads dropped Clavering had the points in the bag. A huge 3 points for the boys in orange.

Couple of mentions:
* Charlie Dore for stepping up and his performance in goal
* The fantastic fans who came down to support us today. Your support makes a huge difference to the lads on the pitch ❤

Next up Huntingdon away.

FT
🦊⚽⚽⚽⚽
OG/Crackers
OG
Billy (pen)
Travis

🐺⚽
🟡
🟡🟡🔴

19/01/2020

Absolute scenes today in Clavering when the mighty 🦊 turned a 1-3 half time deficit in to a 3-3 draw.

The game started well for Clavering, Dave stunned the home supporters with a first touch that can only be described as sexual before smashing the ball past E-UKs keeper.

Shockingly even after a failed attempted lob seconds before, the game was quickly levelled with the talented E-UK striker lofting the ball from 35 yards into the empty 🦊 net.

A second goal for the away team shortly followed and a terrible refereeing decision for a hand ball against Alex (the muddy ball mark was clearly on his chest) resulted in a scrappy third goal for the travelling team.

A couple of changes at half time lifted the 🦊 for the second half. Gone was the team that had squandered a 1-0 lead. The defence were looking solid and the midfield were passing the ball beautifully we looked like we would get back into the game.

A VERY strong tackle from Alex in the box resulted in E-UK left winger being carried off..... was it a penalty yes, was it given? No.... the ref must have felt he needed to even up the horrible hand ball decision he gave against him the first half.

The 🦊 strikers were looking threatening and a headed clearance from a throw fell beautify to top scorer Charlie who unleashed an unstoppable wannabe Paul Scholes volley into the corner of the goal. 2-3.

Clavering were flying. The away team could get nothing past the defence and the midfield were moving the ball about like Barcelona.

It wasn’t the prettiest goal that has ever been scored but with 10 minutes to go the game was level. The ball could have been tucked home on several occasions but some incredible defending and goalkeeping somehow kept the ball out. Billy who was recently recalled from his loan deal in Chicago managed to squeeze the ball past the keeper low into the bottom right hand corner.

In a nail bitting 30 seconds the referee consulted the linesman.... had there been a foul in the build up? The assistant ref seemed to think so. Luckily the ref listened to the advice and ignored it. 3-3.

An abysmal referee performance was summed up and nearly caused a pitch invasion when a captain🦊 trade mark long throw in was fumbled by the keeper and was beautify tucked home by Dave.

Clavering started to celebrate the 87th minute winner when it chalked off for a foul on the keeper.

VAR (Marks phone) clearly showed that no 🦊 players were near the GK when he dropped it at the feet of our striker.

A good touch onto the bar late on saved the 🦊 blushes in the dying moments of the game with the final score finishing 3-3.

Was this 2 points dropped or a point gained...... either way a brilliant 2nd half performance from the boys.

Next up are league leaders Pymoor (A).