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

Match Report – Cambridge University Press vs. Foxton– League – 17.02.24.

Foxton picked up a hard fought 3-1 victory away at C.U.P on Saturday, in a feisty encounter.

Foxton started on the front foot when Jake Emmett raced goalward but unfortunately, a heavy touch, at a critical time, saw the chance dwindle away.

The home team were then gifted a chance, after Pinney’s ball out to Stuart, took a nasty bobble over his foot, an onrushing Press player nicked the ball and headed goalward, but fortunately, he screwed his shot wide of the post. Press built up a little bit of momentum and had another strong attack on the counter, this time Pinney saved well, pushing the ball round the post. From the resulting Press corner, Foxton took the lead, when Elliott’s headed clearance was picked up by Antwan, who played a long ball over the Press defence, for Jake Williams to latch onto.  Jake still had plenty to do, but he did it brilliantly, holding off the defender, whilst running goalward and finishing well with his right foot.

The remainder of the half didn’t have much goalmouth action but plenty of spirit from both sides and some good defending from Foxton, marshalled by the impressive Hoskins.

Two minutes into the second half, Press equalised, after an excellent cross from the right side caused some uncertainty in the Foxton box, with the loose ball being tucked away from close range. 

Foxton then had to weather a small storm, which they managed to do, on one occasion Pinney saved well at his near post.

After this period of play Foxton then regained the lead, when Bonny’s free kick was headed back across the goal by Stuart, to Jake, who had his effort from close range saved, the rebound fell nicely to Antwan, who smashed his side into the lead. 

Foxton maintained their discipline and shape well and forced the home team to make too many mistakes when they had the ball.

The third goal came late on, when Jake converted from the spot, after Kaane had been chopped down in the box. Foxton managed to see out the last 10 minutes well, although Pinney made another good save in the 90th minute, when he tipped a headed effort over the cross bar.

TEAM: Pinney, Beard, Knight, Hoskins, Byrne, Meredith, Kotelo, Emmett, O’Dell, Ebanks-Blake, Williams.

Match Report – Foxton vs Wisbech St Mary - League – 03.02.24.

Foxton were at home on Saturday against Wisbech St Mary and dropped 2 valuable points, after being held to a 3-3 draw.

The first half was a tight, scrappy affair, without much action of note. Jake did have a header, superbly saved by the visiting keeper, from Alfie’s cross and Elliott Knight had another headed effort deflected wide, by a trailing leg of a defender, from Atwans’s long throw.

The second half started much better for Foxton, and after a short period of sustained pressure, they took the lead, Young Emmett played Jake Williams through one on one with the keeper, who saved well, the rebound fell to Antwan, who then had his efforts blocked, the ball stayed alive, as did Antwan, who was first to react and played a square pass for Alfie to smash home from close range. Moments later, the lead was nearly doubled, when Stuart managed to head Josh Byrnes free kick back into the mix, the ball fell to Elliott, who hustled his way goalward, but the keeper again saved well. After weathering this little storm, Wisbech equalised, when a cross from the left was tapped in from close range. Foxton regained the lead two minutes later, with Alfie again in the thick of the action, after a strong run goalward, he played into Jake Williams, his heavy touch fell kindly to Emmett, who finished well from just inside the box. 

Foxton then put themselves firmly in the driving seat, when Jake’s cross from the right was only half cleared to Mez 25 yards out, who hit a first-time volley hard and low into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance. 

The visitors didn’t cave in and almost pulled a goal back immediately, a long searching ball down the left, found the winger, who smashed an early shot across the goal, which went just wide. On 82 minutes, they did pull a goal back, after a counter straight down the middle of the park, with the striker finishing calmly past Pinney. One minute later, it was 3-3, with the damage coming down the left side again, with the winger latching on to a long clearance and finishing across Pinney. 

The game was still there for both sides to win, and it was Foxton who came closest, when in the 90th minute, Jake latched onto a ball in the box, although at a narrow angle, he hit a fierce shot goalward, which thundered into the onrushing keepers face and went out for a corner. 

FT 3-3

TEAM - Pinney, Byrne, Beard, Knight, Hoskins, Meredith, McMurrough, Emmett, O’Dell, Ebanks-Blake, Williams.

SUBS - Kotelo, Atkin, Gillies

Match Report – Foxton vs Whittlesey Athletic Reserves – Challenge Cup - 20.01.24.

Foxton progressed to the semi-final of the Challenge Cup on Saturday, after a 5-0 home win against Whittlesey Athletic Reserves.

Foxton started bright and nearly took an early lead, when Antwan got on the end of Elliott’s free kick, but his header went just over the bar. The visitors then countered with a long searching ball down the left, which found one of their attacking players, who, from 30 yards, smashed a first-time snapshot, which Pinney saved well. Foxton stayed on top of the early stages but couldn’t find a clear opening, although Antwan found himself through one on one with keeper but unfortunately lost his footing. 

We finally took a deserved lead on 21 minutes, when George managed to split the away defence and set Kaane away, the keeper came rushing out to close him down, but Kaane’s early shot gave him no chance and nestled nicely in the left side of the goal. 

The lead was soon doubled, when Kaane grabbed his second, after some lovely play down the left side, Stu picked out Alfie, who played a sharp one two with Mez and cut the ball back for Kaane to stroke home from close range. 

The visitors kept plugging away but Foxton didn’t let them get on top, winning most duels in the centre of the park and the back four dealing with anything thrown at them.

Just before half time, Jake Emmett had a great chance to make it 3 but after a sublime first touch in the box from a high ball in, he just couldn’t get his shot away.

2-0 HT.

Foxton again started well in the second half and young Emmett had another chance to make it 3 after he out hustled a defender and gave himself a one in one chance but his shot was well saved by the away keeper. The third goal came on 54 minutes, when Stuart headed home from Kaane’s corner. Whittlesey couldn’t get a foothold in the game but nearly pulled one back 5 minutes later, but Pinney saved well, tipping a powerful shot from distance onto the cross bar. 

Foxton stayed in full control, still winning most battles all over the park and holding a good shape out of possession. 

The 5th and final goal came on 90 minutes when Antwan dispossessed a Whittlesey defender and drove forwards, now one on one, his shot across the keeper was parried into the path of Jordan who made no mistake from close range.

5-0 FT

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

Match Report – Foxton vs Milton - League – 13.01.24

Foxton were back to winning days on Saturday, with a comfortable 3-2 home win against Milton.

Milton had the first effort on goal, via a free kick, which Pinney managed to put past the post.

Foxton then went straight on the attack and took the lead, when Alfie volleyed the ball past the keeper from 15 yards out, after his first effort had been blocked.

Ten minutes later and it was level, when Milton scored with another volleyed strike, from a free kick they put into the box.

Foxton soon regained the lead, when Joe Haynes played the ball to Alfie, who set himself and delivered an inch perfect cross to George Gillies, to open his Foxton account with his far post header.

Antwan then went on a run and created himself a chance from the edge of the box, but his goal bound effort was blocked by a defender. Then, just before half time, George missed a good chance to grab his second of the game, when Antwan found him at the back post but this time, he shot over the bar.

Foxton started the second half on the front foot and immediately had a chance, Antwan’s deep cross found Jordy, who controlled well, beat his marker and shot goal-wards, forcing the keeper to save well.

A host of attacks and chances followed in quick succession. Alfie linked well with Jake inside the box, but Jake’s effort was well saved. 

A third goal came on 51 minutes, when Stuart headed home Alfie’s corner.

Milton stayed honest and were largely on the back foot, meaning, they only had the odd counterattack. Nonetheless, they didn’t make things easy for Foxton, who kept attacking, looking for more goals. Kaane and Alfie then linked well, with Alfie getting a good shot away, which the keeper saved well, low down. Jake had the next chance, when through one-on-one but he put his effort wide. Kaane then had an effort well saved from close range, the rebound falling to Jez, but his effort was also blocked from close range. 

Milton then nearly pulled a goal back after a good counterattack but their forward put his shot over the bar.

Jake then won himself another one-on-one chance when he dispossessed a Milton defender. He raced goal-wards but unfortunately, put his effort wide.

An identical chance fell his way soon after but again, uncharacteristically, he shot wide again. 

Milton pulled a goal back right at the end, but Foxton saw out the last few minutes, to pick up a deserved, maximum 3 points.

Team - Pinney, Gillies, Haynes, Hoskins, Knight, Meredith, Kotelo, O’Dell, Atkin, Ebanks-Blake, Williams. 

Subs – Byrne, McMurrough, Fehmi, Cambridge

Match Report – West Wratting vs Foxton - League – 06.01.24

Foxton started 2024 with a tough away fixture against West Wratting and unfortunately, came away pointless, after a 3-1 defeat.

The game itself didn’t have a lot between the sides.

Foxton started the brightest and took the lead on 10 minutes, when Jake Williams glanced a header home from Alfie’s pinpoint cross into the box. We stayed the more dominant force, without creating anything of real substance, for the next 20 minutes. Wratting then started to grow into the game and missed two good chances in quick succession, one, which was excellently saved by Pinney. Very soon after and with their tails up, they equalised, after a deep cross from the right was met by the head of a Wratting player and somehow, squirmed in past Pinney. Then, just before half time, they took the lead with a first- time volley, from a poor Foxton, defensive, headed clearance.

The second half got underway and Foxton started on the from foot. Jack Davis had good chance from Fehmi’s header back to him but he screwed his shot wide. The home team were always a threat on the counter and on 65 minutes, could've extended their lead but their wide man put his shot, from a tight angle, past the post. A few minutes later, Williams created himself a chance and hit ferocious shot goal-wards, the home keeper saved it well, considering the ball was swerving all over the place and unfortunately, the loose ball fell to a Wratting defender to clear, when a couple of Foxton bodies were lurking. Foxton kept the home team on the back foot and on 75 minutes, an equaliser looked a certainty, when Jordy picked out Fehmi, who controlled and turned well. He then beat another defender, whilst travelling towards the 6 -yard box, just as he was about to pull the trigger, a Wratting defender made an excellently time timed interception and luckily for him, poked the ball just past his own post. 

Wratting were still a danger on the counter and on 84 minutes, grabbed a third goal, after a quick bit of thinking, when they were awarded a free kick in a central position. The home player, played an early pass through the Foxton defence for their substitute forward, who latched on to the ball to score past the advancing Pinney. 

Foxton kept going, knowing there would be a fair amount of stoppage time due to some long injuries but we just couldn’t get a goal, which our pressure probably deserved.

Credit must also go to the Wratting ground staff for getting the game on. Great work to all involved. 

Team - Pinney, Gilles, Beard, Hoskins, Knight, McMurrough, Meredith, Emmett, O’Dell, Ebanks-Blake, Williams.

Subs – Byrne, Davis, Kotelo, Atkin, Fehmi

Match Report – Foxton vs Great Shelford - League – 16.12.23

Foxton signed out of 2023 with a 3-1 victory over league leaders Great Shelford.

Apologies for not much detail, I was busy watching the game.

After an even, scrappy first half, in the difficult conditions, Shelford walked back to the pavilion with a just deserved 1-0 lead. Chances were few and far between for both sides, Jake having Foxtons best chance, with a glanced header from a corner which sailed wide. 

After the break, Foxton pulled level straight away, when Antwan latched onto Jake’s through ball and drove the ball past the keeper.

This goal was just the tonic required for the home team, as they went on to control the half. 

We took the lead on about 65 minutes, when the newly introduced Jake Emmett, beat his man and crossed towards the front post, Williams was first to the ball and diverted it past the keeper. Shortly after this goal, Jake missed a golden opportunity to kill the game off, when he had a shot from close range blocked on the line, after some great play from Alfie, again. 

Shelford failed to create an opening, with too many balls over-hit and miss directed. 

From another Foxton attack, Antwan nearly had his second, after more good work from Alfie, but his curled effort could only hit the post, Jake was on hand to score the rebound, but his effort was off target. 

Moments later, from another Alfie cross, Jake notched with a neat finish, but it was ruled out for off-side.

The points were finally secured, when Williams did grab his second of the game, this time from the spot, after Alfie was fouled by the Shelford keeper, on about 75 mins. 

TEAM - PInney, Gillies, Beard, Hoskins, Knight, Atkin, Meredith, McMurrough, O’Dell, Williams 

SUBS – Ebanks-Blake, Emmett

Match Report – Foxton vs Bassingbourn - League – 25.11.23

Foxton picked up another 3 points on Saturday, after a 4-0 home win against local rivals Bassingbourn.

Foxton started on the front foot and Kaane broke free in our first attack, but his shot was saved by the keeper. Moments later, we took the lead when Jez scored from the edge of the box, after good play down the right side from Jordan.

Bassingbourn nearly pulled level straight away after good bit play on the counterattack, their forward found himself through one on one but Pinney saved well with his legs. 

Foxton attacked again with Alfie playing in Jordan, who shot wide and then Bonny linked well with Jake who flashed the ball across the box - but nobody got on the end of it.

Bassingbourn slowly started to get up a head of steam and put the home back line under some pressure. They had plenty of ball in the box but couldn’t create the opening that their efforts may have deserved.

On 43 mins Foxton countered and the visiting keeper made an amazing save from Kaane’s close range effort. HT 1-0

The second half started well for Foxton, as they doubled their lead when Alfie picked up the ball, cut inside and curled the ball into the top corner 2-0.

Two soon became three, when substitute Jake Emmett scored with his first touch after Jake’s header across goal fell nicely on to his volley. 3-0

Bass nearly pulled one straight back from a set play, but their effort was cleared off the line by El’s. This spurred the visitors on, and they had another strong period in the game where they had Foxton on the back foot. A host of searching balls went into the box, without causing too much damage and a shot cannoned back off the post, Pinney also made full stretch diving save to keep them at bay. 

Foxton scored their fourth goal at the end, when Emmett grabbed his second, this one from close range at the second time of asking, after his first shot was blocked. 4-0 

TEAM - Pinney, Gillies, Knight, Gwynne, Byrne, Atkin, Kotelo, McMurrough, O’Dell, Fehmi, Williams

SUBS – Longland, Emmett, Sullivan, Cambridge