Foxhole pre-season 2020-21

[Darin Morse]

Newquay 8 (Shepard 23, 28, Price 49, 74, 84, Whetter og 63, Cole 78, 89) Foxhole 0

Thursday 13^th August 2020

 

As expected, an impressive Newquay outfit duly completed an emphatic, if routine, victory over well-beaten visitors at an eerie Mount Wise. Foxhole, however, will take heart from restricting the home team to virtually no chances in the first half and producing some decent possession after the break, albeit while only rarely threatening to spoil Prentice’s clean sheet. Particularly after such a long layoff, it was always going to be a struggle but, as they say, it’s all about fitness and bedding in new players, as Couch and James were promoted from the reserves and Rundle and Allen made welcome returns to the white shirt.

With Manning and Bickle hugging the touchlines high up the pitch, outnumbered central midfield duo Couch and Kerrigan found it tough going against a striped trio led by the experienced Shepard, who opened the scoring with an unstoppable free kick before notching a second from a tight angle after capitalising on a rare moment of defensive uncertainty. James and Cheshire were forced to live off scraps against twin centre-halves Jamieson and Downing, but there were sufficient glimpses of a developing understanding to suggest potential success when facing less imposing figures in the ECPL. Papaioannou and Rundle both did well up against the talismanic outside-right Gosling, the joint second-highest scorer of all time for the full Gibraltan national team, while Andrews showed what an asset to the team he is with his pace and determination alongside Whetter.

Foxhole undoubtedly looked more comfortable on the ball following the introduction of McAvoy, Allen and Deadman at the break, while the eager Bould offered a new dimension running in behind, but, even with the temporary withdrawal of Gosling, there was no respite as the bustling centre-forward Evans joined the action. Evans' arrival also served to vastly increase the threat offered by the hitherto largely anonymous Cole and Price, the latter of whom made it 3-0 fortuitously, his eminently saveable drive from the edge of the box being deflected over a stranded Hurst. The combination of Bray’s explosive pace against a tiring defence was always likely to prove decisive, and, from a typically forceful run, his low cross was turned into his own net by Whetter, before Price made it five from close range after a spot of pinball. Newquay ruthlessly exposed the alarming gaps that were appearing as the Foxes grew ever more weary despite countless substitutions, especially once a suitably refreshed Gosling returned, this time at left-half, and he soon provided unmissable assists for Cole and Price (for his hat-trick), before Cole completed the rout by displaying the sort of desire to chase a lost cause that Foxhole need to emulate. Should they do, the lessons learnt tonight, such as the importance of sticking together, tracking back, showing for the ball and trusting your first touch, will mean this was a worthwhile exercise regardless of the score.

Well played the super Foxes. Good luck to Newquay. Many thanks to Steve Tootle and the home lino.

Foxhole (4-2-4): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Nathan Papaioannou, Josh Andrews, Lee Whetter; Levi Kerrigan, Jake Couch; Jay Manning, Charlie Bickle, Richard James, Tyler Cheshire.

Subs: Nathan Allen, Callie Rundle, Oliver Deadman, Frank McAvoy, Benno Bould.

Newquay (4-3-3): Nathan Prentice; Harry Tilston, Oliver Dart, Harry Downing, Connor Jamison; Jack Piper, Tom Shepard, Ross Fallens; Jake Gosling, Alex Cole, Louis Price.

Subs: Jack Bray, Aaron Dilley, Ashley Bradshaw.

[Foul Throw 3]

Is Cheshire staying with the foxes? Saw on Twitter he was "announced" as a signing by St Austell Reserves a few weeks back.

[razor61]

On 14/08/2020 at 13:17, Foul Throw 3 said:

Is Cheshire staying with the foxes? Saw on Twitter he was "announced" as a signing by St Austell Reserves a few weeks back.

Hi Played for St Austell X1 against Sticker on Tuesday!

[Darin Morse]

Foxhole 1 (James 73) St Mawgan 3 (Tom Jayne 32, Ash Bicknell 42, Craig Allen 67)

Thursday 20th August 2020

Depleted Foxhole's spirited performance against their St Piran rivals augurs well for the future following this entertaining affair at an increasingly gloomy Rec. With seven of last week's squad either working, being injured or having departed, Kellow, Lean, Allen and Mitchell were drafted in from the reserves, and all acquitted themselves well, as did debutant White. In stark contrast to the glaring gaps of Mount Wise which had ultimately allowed Newquay to score almost at will, this was an altogether more disciplined approach as the gutsy Foxes stuck doggedly to their task of frustrating St Mawgan for ninety minutes. As a result, the visitors struggled to breakdown a resolute rearguard in which Whetter again excelled, while young Manning clearly enjoyed his tussle with wing-back Jayne. Couch and Kerrigan, cruelly exposed in central midfield last week, were outstanding, combining a willingness to battle for everything loose with a relaxed and confident air when in possession. So, while Hurst had to deal brilliantly with a couple of efforts, Foxhole also created opportunities, with James, Cheshire and Bickle all going close. However, on 32, Maull sneaked goalside of Lean for perhaps the only time, and his cross was turned home at the far post by Jayne. Ten minutes later Ash Bicknell headed in the second from close range after the home side were unable to deal with an inswinging corner that caught in the vicious wind blowing up the pitch.

Within moments of the restart, it could have been level pegging as James was twice unlucky, and he was to rattle the St Mawgan defence all game, as his partnership with Cheshire continues to improve. Although the second half settled into a broadly similar pattern to the first, with the away team seeing more of the ball while appearing to not quite know what to do with it when confronted by numerous white-shirted players actually determined to defend, Foxhole were always in the game, often stringing together a prolonged series of passes which juxtaposed nicely with the sort of raking long ball so beloved by club stalwarts for time immemorial. Allen's decisive third goal, disappointingly another free header from a corner, came during a particularly good spell in which James might have bagged a hat-trick, but his deserved goal was certainly worth waiting for, a left-footed thunderbolt from thirty yards into the top corner. As near darkness fell, the remaining seventeen minutes saw the Foxes offer much the greater threat in the box, but they were unable to salvage a draw their fearless display warranted.

Foxhole (4-4-2): Ben Hurst; Jay Manning, Matt Lean, Steve Kellow, Lee Whetter; Charlie Bickle, Callie Rundle, Jake Couch, Levi Kerrigan; Richard James, Tyler Cheshire.

Subs: Dan Allen, Nathan White, Angel Coates, Jacob Mitchell.

Well played the super Foxes. Good luck to St Mawgan. Many thanks to Jo Harris, Andy Ball and the good-looking Foxhole lino.

[Taswet62]

On 14/08/2020 at 13:17, Foul Throw 3 said:

Is Cheshire staying with the foxes? Saw on Twitter he was "announced" as a signing by St Austell Reserves a few weeks back.

Played for St Blazey reserves last nite. 

[razor61]

10 hours ago, Darin Morse said:

Next game: St Austell Reserves v Foxhole

Tuesday 25th August 7.30pm

Be interesting to see who Tyler Cheshire plays for to-night!! Or will he play a half for each team??

[Darin Morse]

St Austell reserves 3 (O'Brien 15, Tilley 21, Mitchell 71) Foxhole 5 (Whetter 12, Couch 43, James 62, White 78, Bickle 88)

Tuesday 25th August 2020

Anton Lake can celebrate his first victory as manager after watching his new-look team overcome both a brilliant young and energetic footballing side from a higher division, and an horrendous gale. Town played some great stuff throughout, but credit to the Foxes for again defending with such determination, particularly in the face of their opponents' clever movement and impressive ability to retain possession. Although Whetter's fine header from Rundle's inswinger opened the scoring against the run of play, Town were soon level, as Foxhole's susceptibility from corners was again exposed, O'Brien gleefully accepting the gift. Tilley then became the second opponent this summer to fire an, albeit wind-assisted, direct free-kick over the wall and past Hurst, but the pressure was successfully soaked up (although not without some alarming moments) before Couch latched on to Whetter's fine pass to superbly volley home off a post.

With the fierce wind at their backs, Foxhole were able to offer a far greater threat going forward in the second half, especially through the willing running and pace of James. Racing on to a long ball from Kellow, by now donning the gloves after Hurst had collided with Andrews in a combined effort to halt the dangerous Dingle in his tracks, James made it 3-2 with a cool lob, and, on another night, he may have grabbed a couple more as he was repeatedly to burst past a strangely high line given the conditions. St Austell, however, continued to knock it around, often appearing to have a more than the regulatory eleven on the pitch, and Mitchell soon tapped in the equaliser after Pearce had eluded Lean to put it on a plate. The home team appeared the more likely winners at that stage, but White hit his side's fourth with a deflected effort following an untidy scramble in the box, before Bickle capitalised on rare dalliance by the home keeper to complete the scoring at the death.

Well played the super Foxes. Good luck to Town. Many thanks to Sam Doble.

Foxhole (4-4-2): Ben Hurst; Ryan Wilkins, Josh Andrews, Lee Whetter, Angel Coates; Charlie Bickle, Callie Rundle, Levi Kerrigan, Jake Couch; Jay Manning, Richard James.

Subs:Bradley Allen, Matt Lean, Steve Kellow, Nathan White, Jacob Mitchell.

Apologies for any mis-identification of Town's players but I was running the line. Happy to receive full Town line-up and subs (plus St Mawgan's from last week).

[Darin Morse]

I appreciate it's short notice but, due to circumstances beyond our control, we at Foxhole AFC from the ECPL are looking for new opponents for tomorrow, Sat 29th Aug. Ideally we would like to play a side from the Combination, Duchy or Trelawney league, with a 2pm kick off at Foxhole. No costs would be incurred as pitch and referee have been covered. Please contact secretary Dave Bunt as soon as possible at foxholedave@sky.com

[dave bunt]

Mobile number 

07980520046

Edited August 28, 2020 by dave bunt
Wrong number

[Darin Morse]

Foxhole AFC require a physio / sports therapist to support the first team players and coaching staff on match days. 

Key tasks include:
- Helping to prepare players for matches (Saturday afternoons and occasionally midweek)
- Providing run-on cover during games
- Maintaining the first aid kit and equipment
- Attendance at training nights would be beneficial but not essential. 

The role would suit someone currently studying for their physio / sports therapist qualification. You should hold a relevant sports first aid qualification or be willing to undertake the FA accredited course (provided by the club). 

 

Foxhole AFC also require an assistant referee / linesperson for their first team on match days (Saturday afternoons and occasionally midweek). Previous experience is not essential as full training will be arranged. 

 

If interested in either position, please contact manager Anton Lake at antonlake@hotmail.co.uk to discuss further. Please note club kit, travel and food will be provided. 

[TheolderIgetthebetterIwas]

Volunteers Darin...an endangered species! 

[Darin Morse]

Foxhole AFC are looking to supplement both their existing East Cornwall Premier and Duchy Premier league playing squads. The club is also looking to recruit a manager for their Duchy league squad. This invitation is extended to any interested players or managers who are asked to contact me on 07881738008 or darinmorse@msn.com; first team manager Anton Lake at antonlake@hotmail.co.uk; secretary Dave Bunt on 07980520046; or twitter @foxholestars