After a weeks rest Firside were on the road again to visit Mulbarton, a team still looking for their first win. With only 9 players and no sub another tough game was expected on a heavy pitch. Firside started brightly but unfortunately it was Mulbarton who took the lead after 10minutes as the Firside defence was slow to react to the danger. Chances then came Firside's way as Holly set up Emily on  a short corner and then Holly again put in a cross which the keeper could not hold and Olivia just failed to drive home. Anna was also having a good game with some delightful touches and a good strong run into the penalty area forcing the keeper into a save. Mulbarton managed to soak up the pressure and were looking to score on the break though Alice was alert to collect the ball on the edge of her area diving several times at the feet of the Mulbarton forwards. But just before halftime Mulbarton scored a second with a strong shot across goal.

Half-time 0-2

On a damp autumnal morning, Firside played host to  Dereham, the current league champions. Firside started with the same 9 that gained the points at Costessey. Firside started brightly but unfortunately conceded an early goal. The Firside goal then lead a charmed life as Dereham tried to extend their lead as the ball hit crossbar and post. Firside were still playing some neat football and Olivia managed to get in behind the Dereham defence only to be given offside.

Halftime 0-3

Firside made an early return to Breckland Park to play Costessey in their first away game of the new season. Firside travelled with no subs but had the benefit of plenty of fitness sessions from Anna and Lucy's elder sister Megan. Firside were matching Costessey in every department. Although Holly was struggling to make any impression down the right, Olivia and Chelsea were creating several attacking opportunities down the left. Towards the end of the first half Em had to come off to rest a sore knee and Firside upped their game with Molly and Holly both having chances to score. Halftime 0-0. Fortunately Em was able to return for the second half and Firside maintened their momentum and took a deserved lead through an own goal as Holly took a corner. Em then extended Firsides lead with a run and powerful right foot finish. A slight mixup in the Firside defence ten let Costessey pull one back before Alice, with a long kick upfield, released Holly who cooly slotted the ball past the keeper to make the final score  Costessey1 Firside 3.

First league game of the 2010-11 season was at home to Thorpe Rovers.

Firside took the lead after 15 minutes  with Lucy scoring from close range at a corner. The lead was only held for a few minutes when Thorpe struck with a curling shot into the top corner and they then scored two more to lead 3-1 at half-time. Thorpe extended their lead early in the second half but Firside pulled one back through Emily wtih a determined run into the penalty box and shooting past the advancing keeper. Thorpe though continued to press and scored another and hit the bar.

Final score 2-5

A new season a new venue. Firside Foxes U14 visited Costessey at their new venue of Breckland Park for their regular pre-season friendly.

With a bigger pitch and bigger goals it was clear form the start it was goig to be big challenge. Firside had only the bare 9 players so it was going to be hard work for everyone. Firside started brightly and took the lead wen Em curled a right foot shot into the far corner.

Final score Costessey 2  Firside 1

The day of Firside Foxes U13 final match of the season dawned bright and sunny instilling the team withthe confidence tht they needed to finish the footballing year on a high. With an ealier kick-off time of 10.30 they were down at Heath Crescent, the venue for the day, as the goals had been cleared away from Fiside to make way for the athletics track. Although the pitch looked nice and summery with quite long lush green grass it was actually quite lumpy and not ideal conditions for a smooth passing game of football. A good crowd was in attendance for the visitors from Fakenham who were buzzing around in their black and yellow striped kits. As the game kicked off Fakenham started the stronger and were soon testing the defensive partnership of Connie and Anna. After 10minutes Fakenham were 1-0 up as Alice misjudged where her right hand post was. This boosted the Tigers confidence and it took the introduction of Holly and Emily and a little luck to restore parity. A shot by Emily was parried by the keeper who, under pressure from Olivia, then turned the ball into the goal. This was followed by a brilliant goal from Emily who managed to dribble the ball all the way up the pitch in a miraculous solo effort before firing the ball low into the net. Firside had several other chances as Olivia headed over and Chelsea was closed down by the keeper, though Alice had to be alert in goal as Fakenham looked to equalise. The team came off at halftime for a pep talkfrom  Michael about being ' too nice' and instructions from Tim to 'communicate!'
They began the second half with the same confident attitude and were coping better with the heat than the previous week. This half included some lovely corners from Holly although too strong for anyone to make contact with. Anna set up a few good chances for herself and Chelsea but the ball was never quite on target and the score remained 2-1. There was a tense moment when it looked as the Tigers may have equalised as the ball slipped through Alices fingers but with lightning speed she spun round and managed to catch it to prevent it from crossing the line. Lucy had a good game in midfield dashing around and preventing the ball from going anywhere it could be a threat. Finally Loz managed to make ithe final score 3-1,squeezing the ball home in a goalmouth scramble.
All in all, it was a cheerful end to the season as Tim handed out Chunky Kit-Kats to all the players, while Michael led the parents in dowsing the girls with water bottles. A well deserved girl of the match went to Anna for a good all round effort.

Guest reporter: Beth

How the weather can change! Last weekend saw hailstones and the pitch a rain sodden quagmire. This weekend bright sunshine shone down as Firside faced Rickinghall who were in good form having won 5-1 at Hempnall the previous week.  Firside started with Lucy putting in plenty of effort in midfield while Loz and Emily were stretched as Rickinghall looked to come forward at every opportunity. The ball was bouncing high off the pitch and a long ball soon caused problems in the home defence as the Rickinghall no9 got in between Loz and Emily to fire the ball past Alice. Holly nearly equalised but her close range shot struck the goalkeeper in the face. Another chance from Holly's cross saw Olivia's legs were just not long enough to connect. Rickinghall then went 2-0 up as Alice diverted a cross into the net. Chelsea came on for Olivia to allow Anna to move upfront. As the half drew to a close, indecision in the Firside defence saw the Rickinghall no 9 power home a third. The second half began with Loz looking more alert to the danger posed by the Rickinghall forwards. Firside were trying hard to get back in the game but unfortunately the Rickinghall defence was also playing well, crowding out Em as she tried to get her shot in. Lucy continued to battle for the ball in midfield and feed Holly on the right wing. Several chances fell to Chelsea and Olivia as Holly continued to deliver crosses in from the wing to no avail. Alice's made a great stop to palm a powerful shot away has Rickinghall continued to press forward and a fourth goal then left the result in no doubt. This was not Firside's day and their unbeaten league record was broken by a more determined team. How fortunes can change but there is one last game to play before this wonderful title-winning season comes to an end. Final score 0-4.

Girl of Match Loz

With a hailstorm coming down an hour before kickoff, plenty of work was needed to be done on the pitch before Firside could play host to Reepham. Chris was given a fork to try and drain the puddles away from the goals and centre circle. As the game started it wasn't long before the brand new matchball was looking like a malteser. The conditions and Reepham were making hard for Firside to play a passing game. Olivia and Anna were working hard upfront, but few chances were being created as each team cancelled each other out, until a long clearance by Em, from her own half, passed everyone and slipped past the Reepham keeper. The heavens then opened and the pitch began to turn into a mudbath. This did not deter Lucy from her usual combatitive game in middle where it was muddiest. A second goal resulted from a mixup in the Reepham defence as Holly's corner was turned in at the near post by a defender. Reepham were still in contention and Alice stopped several shots with good handling in slippy conditions.Connie came on for Loz in defence to tighten things up and a clean strike by Holly, low into the corner, made it 3-0 to Firside at halftime.  The sun came out for the second half and Holly continued to dazzle down the right wing (as Darren Huckerby watched the game on the other pitch) though one effort flew over the bar and stopped the traffic on Middletons Lane. Fortunately the driver returned the ball. Connie was finding plenty of space on the left but was unable to convert the chances that came her way. Holly then drilled the ball low past the keeper for number four followed by sister Em for number five. Reepham still kept plugging away and nearly pulled one back as a last ditch takle by Em deflected the ball up onto the post. Eventually their persistance paid off as their the centre forward ghosted in behind Loz and Em to score. A Reepham own goal and another strike by Holly to complete her hat-trick extended Firsides lead. Chelsea, Anna and Olivia all had further chances but the Reepham keeper stood firm. Final score 7-1.

Girl of match Holly

This week saw Firside venture over the county border to play Rickinghall Gunners, just beyond Diss. On seeing the pitch with a slope across from wing to wing and uneven surface it was not going to be an easy game. The game opened brightly with both sides creating chances. Connie and Emily were having to work hard to keep Rickinghall at bay. But it was Firside who struck first as Emily's deflected shot flew into the top corner. Soon after Anna scrambled home a second after some good work by Holly. Rickinghall were being roared on by their supporters and Alice had to come out smartly to win the ball under pressure from the Rickinghall forward. At the other end, Holly nearly managed to increase Firside's lead but the home keeper came out bravely to try to smother the danger, while Olivia and Chelsea both had further chances. Half-time 2-0. With the rain becoming heavier, the second half started with Loz partnering Connie in defence. Rickinghall were looking to get forward at every opportunity but were limited to long range shots that did not trouble Alice in goal. A superb move led to Firside's third when Molly ran on with the ball to put in a right wing cross for Holly to sweep into the net. Holly then had to go off  after  takiing a kick on the knee to be replaced by Lucy. Rickinghall were still threatening and their persistence paid off when during a scramble in the penalty the ball was hooked past Alice into the top corner. But almost immediately Emily powered down the right to fire the ball into the Rickinghall net and minutes later the result was put beyond doubt when the Rickinghall no2, under pressure from Em hit a strong backpass into her own net. Final score 5-1. This result confirmed Foxes as U13 B league champions and it was great that Michael (coach) and Chris (sponsor) were there to see it. Well done to everyone you were all girl of the match!

Firside faced Fakenham this week at a new venue behind Fakenham football club. With Molly unavailable and Loz not well enough to play there were limited options on how to line up. Emily partnered Connie in defence, Lucy, Holly and Anna in midfield and Olivia up front. Firside started brightly with Holly commanding the left wing and Lucy again being energetic in midfield. After 10 minutes Chelsea came on for Anna who was a little under the weather. The ball was moving fast on a slippery pitch and eventually Olivia raced onto a through ball from Emily to give Firside the lead. Holly, having switched to the right, then managed to cross the ball from the goalline for Olivia to score her second. As the rain started to come down Firside were on top and for the third goal Lucy left her marker for dead with a superb turn and her shot then crept pass the keeper, under pressure from Holly. Halftime 3-0.  Fakenham came out fighting in the second half and played two upfront to keep Emily and Connie busy. Chelsea was working hard on the left while Anna started to put the Fakenham defence under pressure. It wasn't long before another chance was created and this time Holly made sure from close range. Fakenham still kept pressing and as it continued to rain Firside began to tire. Olivia came on  working hard to control the ball and Firside started to string several passes together around the Fakenham penalty area but failed to increase their lead. Fakenham's hard work paid off as they scored during a scramble in the penalty area. Holly should have added to Firside's tally but blasted over the bar with the goal at her mercy. Final score 4-1.

Girl of match Olivia