Match Report – Foxton vs. Witchford 96 – League – 30.04.24.

Foxton completed the 23/24 season with a lacklustre performance against Witchford and an end score line of 2-2.

The visitors started well and in the first few minutes, had two good chances to take the lead, the first, being well saved by Pinney, and the second going wide.

Foxton then had a chance, after good link up play between Mez and Kaane, who played square to Alfie, but his shot went wide of the post. 

Jake then created a chance for Callum, who couldn’t quite get his feet sorted out and the chance went begging. 

Williams then created himself a chance, which was well saved by the keeper. 

It was the visitors who took the lead from a corner kick, which Foxton didn’t deal with well enough, and the loose ball was poked home from close range. 

Foxton equalised 10 minutes later, when El’s had a shot from distance, which the keeper could only parry into the path of Jake, who scored from close range.

1-1 HT.

The second half got underway, and Foxton just about had the upper hand, keeping the visitors pegged back but without really opening up their defence. 

We finally took the lead from the spot, via a handball, when Ed Watson went on a mazy run, leading to his shot being stopped by the outstretched arm of a defender. Jake made no mistake from the spot, to get his second of the night. 

The visitors didn’t drop their heads and kept battling for every ball, getting their rewards 15 minutes later, with an equalising goal from close range.

Foxton kept pushing for a winning goal but some good blocks … body on the line kind of stuff from Witchford, kept them at bay and the game finished 2-2.

TEAM: Pinney, Beard, Byrne, Hoskins, Knight, Meredith, McMurrough, O’Dell, Harrison, Williams, Fehmi.

SUBS USED: Watson, Longland

Foxton vs Newmarket Res - League - 20.04.24

Saturday, saw Foxton suffer a heavy 7-0 defeat, at home to a decent Newmarket reserve side.

Newmarket were good value for their win, in a game which was littered with mistakes by Foxton and dominance from the visitors. 

Newmarket started on the front foot and within the first minute Pinney was called into action, making a good save. 

It was all dominance from Newmarket, as they scored three goals in quick succession, going in 3 up at half time.

The pattern of play didn’t change much in the second half, with more mistakes from Foxton, helping the visitors increase their lead.

This was finished off by a couple more goals late on, handing the visitors a comfy 7-0 scoreline. 

TEAM

Pinney, Beard, Byrne, Hoskins, Knight, Meredith, Kotelo, O’Dell, Atkin, Williams, Fehmi.

SUBS

Haynes, McMurrough, Cambridge, Graver

Foxton vs West Wratting - League - 17.04.24

Foxton suffered a 4-2 home defeat against West Wratting on Wednesday.

The game started very lively with both sides going for it; Wratting shot wide on 2 mins, Kaane shot over for Foxton on 4 mins and then Mez had a powerful shot saved on 10.

It was Wratting who took the lead on 20 minutes, with a close-range finish after a couple of errors in the Foxton box. 

Foxton didn’t let their heads drop and were soon level when Kaane finished well after good play from Jake.

Foxton then had an opportunity to take the lead, but the away keeper saved well from Kane’s effort.

HT 1-1

The second half didn’t start well for Foxton, conceding in the 50 and 54th minute to find themselves 3-1 down.

Wratting had their tails up and looked a threat when attacking, but Foxton managed to withstand this added pressure and pulled a goal back of their own on the 60th minute, when Kaane got his second of the game, heading home Evers’s cross. 

Callum Harrison, who was playing against his former club, nearly equalised immediately after but his stinging first time shot was well saved by the Wratting keeper. 

Foxton we’re now on top and pushing for an equalising goal, which looked to be a certainty on 70 minutes as ball fell kindly to Stuart in the penalty box, but his right footed shot came back of the legs of the keeper. 

Moments later, and Callum was again involved in the next attack when Evers picked him out down the left, his persistence opened the door for Antwan, but he could only shoot over from inside the box. 

Unfortunately, despite Foxtons best efforts, it was Wratting who increased their lead in the 80th minute with a soft goal from a corner, (Possibly went straight in or a deft touch I’m unsure), none the less it was 4-2 and game over.

TEAM

Pinney, Beard, Byrne, Hoskins, Knight, Meredith, McMurrough, Fehmi, O’Dell, Harrison, Williams

SUBS USED

Atkin, Dusi, Kotelo, Ebanks-Blake

Match Report – Great Shelford vs. Foxton – Challenge Cup – 13.04.24

Foxton crashed out in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup on Saturday, after a 4-2 defeat away to Great Shelford.

The home team took control of the first half, winning the battles all over the pitch.

They took the lead on about 10 minutes when a ball into the box, which looked to be harmless, checked up on goalkeeper Pinney and deflected into the path of the lurking Shelford player who scored from close range.

The lead was soon doubled when Pinneys’ ball out to Josh was intercepted by the Shelford forward, he still had plenty to do but made no mistake with a quality lobbed finish giving Pinney no chance. 

Foxton just couldn’t get going and struggled to make any impact on the half. Shelford on the other hand kept pushing for a third goal which came just before half time from the penalty spot after Pinney was penalised for bringing down the Shelford player who was through on goal.

The second half started a bit more even, but it was Shelford who scored the next goal via an unmarked header from a corner.

Then, with the game seemingly sewn up, a moment of madness from the home keeper saw him recklessly foul the newly introduced Jake Emmett and receive a straight red card. This gave Jake Williams the chance from the spot to reduce the deficit and he made no mistake, scoring in the bottom corner. 

Shelford albeit with a comfy lead got a little bit rattled and about 10 minutes later, gifted Foxton another penalty, this time from a hand ball in the box. Jake again finished well. 

Shelford soon went down to 9 men when they had player sin binned, presumably for something said to the match official. 

Foxton then became dominant and had plenty of ball in the final third, but ultimately, still lacked any cutting edge to open the resilient home back line. 

Shelford ran the clock down well late on and deservedly progressed to the final where they will meet Ely City on the 1st of May. 

TEAM

Pinney, Byrne, Beard, Hoskins, Knight, Meredith, Dusi, Kotelo, O’Dell, Atkin, Williams.

SUBS

McMurrough, Emmett, Ebanks-Blake

Foxton Match Report – Foxton vs. Cherry Hinton – League – 10.04.24

Foxton were able to pick up another 3 points on Wednesday, after a comfortable 6-0 win at home to Cherry Hinton.

Foxton started well and had a chance in the first minute, when Jake played Callum in on the right-hand side of the box, but his drilled effort was saved well by the Cherries keeper.

Five minutes later, we took the lead, when Alfie curled home a free kick from 25 yards out.

One minute later, it was two, when Alfie set Jake goalward and with only keeper to beat he squared the ball to Luca, who tapped home from close range. 

Foxton managed to stay in control of the game but began to get a little sloppy, making some poor passes and decisions, which allowed the visitors to counterattack. Fortunately, this was largely nullified by a resilient home defence.

They went close on the half hour mark, when a Cherries player hit a ferocious shot from 25/30 yards out which Pinney tipped superbly over the bar.

Shortly after this, Foxton got their third goal, when Callum scored from close range after the keeper could only parry Mez’s shot - after good link up play between him and Jake. 

The final action of the half came when just before half time, Cherry Hinton found the top of the cross bar with a header from a corner.

The second half started much like the first, with Foxton keeping the visitors pegged back in their own half with plenty of pressure, but without anything to show for it.

Eventually however, a fourth goal came on 75 minutes, when Elliott Knight whipped the ball back into the box after a corner had only been half cleared, and an unfortunate Cherries player could only divert the ball into his own net.

The visitors kept plugging away and certainly didn’t throw the towel in, but they were unable to create any solid chances. 

Callum then scored what we thought was a fifth, with a brilliant finish inside the box only to see the goal ruled for offside.

Jit soon was five when, Jake Williams got his first of the night ,on about 80 minutes, when Jordan beat his man before playing across for Jake to score from close range. 

El’s then nearly had a goal when he got on the end of Ada’s free kick but he could only head against the post from close range.

Finally, Jake finished off the scoring after Ed Watson had burst through on goal and squared the ball, with the former again making no mistake from close range.

FT 6-0

TEAM

Pinney, Beard, Hoskins, Byrne, Knight, Dusi, Meredith, McMurrough, O’Dell, Harrison, Williams 

SUBS

Longland, Kotelo, Atkin, Watson, Cambridge. 

Match Report – Ely City Reserves vs. Foxton– League – 06.04.24.

Foxton picked up a hard fought 2-1 victory away to Ely City Res on Saturday, in a game that wasn’t too easy on the eye and in extremely difficult conditions.

Foxton started on the front foot and in the first minute, after a good move, Jake turned his marker and had a goal bound shot well blocked by an Ely defender. 

The strong winds made things very difficult for both teams and most of the game relied on effort and concentration.

From a set piece in the 8th minute, Ely had a chance to score but their forward headed wide at the back post. 

From the resulting goal kick, Foxton took the lead when Pinney’s goal kick found its way over the Ely back line, Callum Harrison latched on to the loose ball and made no mistake from 10 yards out, slotting past the home keeper.

One minute later, Callum nearly had his second, when El’s won possession in the middle of the park and played it out wide to Cal, who surged into the box, his left footed strike was well saved by the Ely no1.

Callum stayed in the thick of the action and on 20 minutes grabbed his second, Pinney’s long clearance again causing havoc in the swirling wind, the ball found its way to Cal, who volleyed home from just inside the box. 

Ely, who were playing into the strong wind, had the odd counter but some last-ditch tackles from Foxtons back line kept their chances down to a minimum.

On the half hour mark, Jordan and Jake combined well to create an opening for Bonney but again, the keeper saved well.

Ely started to get into the game and pulled a goal back, when their left back cruised down the flank and picked out a supporting player in the box, who finished well, with plenty of Foxton bodies around him.

Moments later, they had an opportunity to draw level but luckily, the strikers effort went wide.

HT Ely 1- 2 Foxton

The second half was much the same as the first, with the conditions causing havoc, especially for both defences, who had to deal with many high balls. 

In the early stages of the half, Ely had a half chance after a strong run down the left flank and a cross cum shot, which went just past the top corner. After that, neither side created anything of real substance and both defences put in plenty of blocks, to nullify any chances that could’ve been there. 

Foxton did have a couple of half chances in the last 15 mins, on both occasions, Callum was again heavily involved, after his determined and clever play on the right side. He shot one effort wide and rolled one across the box, which narrowly evaded everyone. 

In the 87th minute, the home team should’ve levelled, when the ball found its way to their unmarked no10 at the back post, but Pinney saved well, to keep us in the lead.

With about 8 minutes of time still to play, Foxton managed to see out the game brilliantly with Luca, Ed and Mez working wonders in the bottom left corner of the pitch. 

A tough ugly game for both sides but an important 3 points none the less.

TEAM: Pinney, Beard, Gillies, Hoskins, Byrne, Meredith, Knight, Harrison, Atkin, Williams, Kotelo. 

SUBS: Graver, McMurrough, Dusi, Watson.

Match Report – Foxton vs Cambridge University Press – League – 23.03.24.

Foxtons unbeaten came to an end on Saturday, after a disappointing performance and result against a resurgent Press side, who were worthy of the win.

The first half was a struggle for Foxton, although we did have a couple of opportunities to score. Debutant, Callum Harrison, had a close-range shot saved by the keeper, Jake had an effort flash narrowly over the bar and Gillies, just couldn’t wrap his foot around a loose ball at the back post. But it was Press who had the better chances, with 2/3 good saves from our keeper Louis Williams.

Press took a deserved lead on about the half hour mark, after a good counter attacking goal move, resulted in an easy finish.

At the start of the second half the visitors could’ve almost wrapped up the game, they had one effort come back off the post, followed soon after, with a one-on-one chance, which went wide. 

Foxton then drew level against the run of play, when Eliot Knight burst through on goal and slotted past the press keeper. 

The game did even up for a while, with neither side really creating anything of much substance.

Press then regained the lead, after a host of errors led to shooting chance, which was slammed home from 20 yards out. 

Five minutes later, it was 3-1 when a corner kick went straight in at the back post, another soft goal to concede.

Foxton kept going and in the 88th minute, pulled one back, when Alfie scored a beautiful free kick. 

The visitors held firm and run the clock down well, to pick up a deserved 3 points.

TEAM: Williams, Gillies, Beard, Hoskins, Byrne, Kotelo, McMurrough, Knight, Harrison, O’Dell, Williams.

SUBS: Atkin, Dusi

SQUAD NEWS

In the past few months Foxton have had some player movement, both inwards and outwards.

OUTGOING

First team captain Rob Gwynne unfortunately, had to stop playing after his knees finally gave up on him. 

Matt Graver left us after a few years at the club and made the move to Melbourn FC

Luca Dusi, after some time out with an injury he picked up in a game, decided to hit the golf course more regularly. 

The club would like to thank the above players for all of their efforts and commitment to Foxton, both on and off the field.

INCOMING

Jez McMurrough returned after a brief spell at Exning and slotted back into the squad.

Bontle Kotelo joined us from Royston U23’s, has fitted in really well and looks full of promise.

Jordan Atkin joined us from C.U.P, adding more wide options to the squad.

Zach Whieldon, a young defender, has joined us from Hemingford, and is currently getting back into the swing of things in our reserve side. 

Ed Watson a good local player, has joined us on a duel registration with Godmanchester Rovers. 

Ryan Henry also remains with us on a duel registration, after quickly making the step back up the ladder, not long after joining us . 

Match Report – Foxton vs Hemingford United – League – 09.03.24.

Foxton picked another hard fought three points on Saturday, after a close 2-1 win against Hemingford.

The early stages of the game were even, with not too much between the sides. 

Foxton broke the deadlock on about 20 minutes, when Jake converted from the spot, after an opposing player was adjudged to of handled the ball. 

Soon after, Kaane nearly made it two, when his deft header from Alfie’s corner went narrowly over the bar.

Mez then nearly doubled the lead, after some good play between Kaane and Antwan. Ant played Mez through, but his shot came back off the post. 

The visitors were a threat also and on a couple of occasions, shots from the edge of the box went wide, or were well blocked by the Foxton back line.

Just before half time, the Hemingford keeper made a brilliant save from a Williams header, after Evers had picked him out from the left flank, George was first to the rebound but from close range, his effort went wide of the post.

Foxton started the second half on the front foot, but it was Hemingford who got the next goal, drawing level from close range, with Pinney stranded on the edge of the box after a slight misjudgement.

Hemingford then went on to have a strong spell and had two good chances to take the lead but after two brilliant saves from Pinney, it remained 1-1. The game had started to get feisty with both sides having something to shout about. Foxton had introduced Bonny, Ryan and Emmett, to freshen things up. Emmet caused problems down the left flank with his pace and willingness. But it was Ryan and Bonny, who contributed to what proved to be the winning goal, after they linked well and set Alfie away down the right. Alfie skinned his man and cleverly played back to Jake, who turned and smashed the ball home, beating the keeper at his near post, to give Foxton the lead back. 

The last few minutes were frantic, but Foxton held firm to see the game out.

TEAM: Pinney, Beard, Byrne, Hoskins, Gillies, McMurrough, Meredith, O’Dell, Ebanks-Blake, Fehmi, Williams.

SUBS: Kotelo, Henry, Emmett, Knight 

Match Report – Hemingford United vs. Foxton– League – 24.02.24.

Foxton picked up a valuable 3 points on Saturday, with a 5-3 win away at Hemingford.

Foxton started brightly but it was the home team who had the first opportunity on goal, when a ball in from the left side, found an unmarked player, who could only screw his shot wide.

Foxton hit straight back with a chance of their own, Jake W picked up the ball and skipped past his marker but his well struck shot, unfortunately, deflected wide.

Kaane then created himself a chance after beating his man but this time the keeper saved his effort.

Hemingford took the lead just after the half hour mark, when a corner kick wasn’t dealt with too well by Foxton, the loose ball falling to a home team striker, who finished well from close range.

Foxton pulled the goal back soon after, when Mez crossed from the left flank towards Kaane, who put the defender under enough pressure to force a weak header, which fell kindly for Jake to smash home, giving the keeper no chance.

Just before half time, Jake nearly gave us the lead but his header from Kaane’s free kick cannoned off the post and to safety.

The second half started in the worst possible fashion for Foxton, when Josh Byrne slipped in his own box and managed to take a Hemingford player with him, the referee awarded a penalty, which ended up in the back of the net.

Foxton didn’t panic and reacted well, and again, had the home team on the back foot, eventually, the pressure told, when Alfie flashed the ball across the box for Jordan to score from close range.

Ten minutes later the lead was restored, when Mez played wide to Alfie, who crossed into the path of Williams, who made no mistake, grabbing his second goal of the game.

Antwan had been introduced to the game and was making a good impact, after some good play from him, he set Alfie goalward, but his effort was saved well by the keeper. Now, heading into the last 10 minutes, Foxton grabbed a fourth goal, when the impressive Hoskins found the bottom corner, after Alfie had the squared the ball to him.

The home team never caved in, and the 90th minute, pulled a goal back, after a bit of ping pong in the box.

This caused a little bit of panic, but Foxton managed to stay strong defensively and could’ve had a couple more goals late on, but Jake was thwarted twice by the home keeper.

Alfie finally wrapped the game up, after Antwan’s defensive clearance evaded the home defence. Alfie still had plenty to do and he did it superbly, by smashing the ball high past the keeper.

TEAM: Pinney, Gillies, Beard, Byrne, Hoskins, McMurrough, Meredith, Emmett, O’Dell, Fehmi, Williams.

SUBS: Ebanks-Blake, Atkin, Whieldon