Foxes smash Scissett to maintain unbeaten run

The Sky Blues entertained an unpredictable Crown Scissett side and finally returned to St Thomas A Becketts for the first time in about 6 months. With the Foxes playing on a brand new pitch and after impressive displays against Walton & West End Terriers collecting a point a piece, Sundays game was a must win to ensure a promotion battle was a possibility.

Gareth Dobson's glass back ruled him out, whilst the Fox & Hounds own Darren Anderton aka Ray Ingham was ill (NOT DIARRHEA!!). That posed a problem for management and after much debate it was agreed Ash Cleary and Chris Cokill's transatlantic loan was terminated with both flying back from the USA for the match.

The Foxes kicked downhill first half and immediately pressed a depleted Scissett side who turned up with a scratch eleven. The Foxes created plenty of opportunities with Sean Armstrong and Luke Mackenzie carving up the Crown defence and it was Mackenzie whom opened the scoring, easing the ball past a stranded Crown keeper after being delightfully assisted by Gimli aka Matthew Summersgill ten minutes in. 

Chances continued to flow the Foxes way, but yet the score line remained 1-0 and the Sky Blues were made to pay for being wasteful as Scissett managed to equalise against the run of play. The visitors grew in confidence and the tricky Crown striker began to cause the Foxes defence problems. However, stopper Lee Hawksley pulled off two outstanding saves (one onto the post) to keep the Foxes level.

As halftime approached it looked as though the Foxes would rue missed opportunities, until a flurry of corners eventual ended with Leigh Rattigan latching onto the ball at the back post, his first shot was blocked but the second fell to his trusty left foot, one which hadn't been used since the great 1997 season, and he did what centre backs do, hitting the ball into the floor before it bobbled in sparking wild celebrations by the capacity crowd of 6.

That wasn't the end of first half action and after lovely football, Sean 'I score every week' Armstrong got in the action to bag a goal he duly deserved after having an earlier one disallowed. The Scissett keeper made the initial stop, but the ball fell to Armstrong who slammed the ball home off the post. The Blues went in 3-1 up at the break and it really could have been a lot more considering their dominance.

The second half continued in a similar fashion as the Foxes pressed the disorganised Scissett defence and 5 minutes in goal scorer Sean Armstrong turned provider as he took the ball down on the left hand side before spreading a long cross field ball behind the defence for Mackenzie who latched onto it and gave the keeper the eyes before burying it into the corner.

Last week's goal scoring hero Chris Markey took a heavy knock which saw the entrance of the well groomed Ash Cleary and Herries was summoned from his linesman duties to replace Stretch up top. That wasn't the end of the scoring as Mackenzie completed his hat trick
to put the Foxes 5-1 up. Tom Carey who had been given his first start after impressive performances was withdrawn from action after taking a knock replaced but a sober Pirlo trotted on and slotted into the back four.

Time was running out and as the Foxes played out from the back, Pirlo dodged one Crown player before dropping the shoulder and shimmering past another as Cleary continued to wave his arms harder than an aircraft marshall directing a plane. Pirlo ignored Cleary and his sublime comb over to go for the 'Hollywood' ball which was duly gobbled up by the Scissett midfielder who quickly turned defence into attack spreading the ball to the right winger who put a tricky ball into the box and forced Cokill to deal with it. Unfortunately Cokill who has been likened to Titus Bramble, did a Titus, and sliced his clearance into the top corner giving Hawksley absolutely no chance! Cheers Cokill!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Foxes saw out proceedings eventually winning 5-2 with a great team performance. There were impressive showings from Marcus Hoggard, Matt Coxall, Paul Midgely and Sean Armstrong. Heck even Matt Summersgill did 90 minutes, although 89 of them were spent asking to be subbed in his girly voice! But the MOM went to Mackenzie after bagging a hat trick which was surprising after he lost his shizzzz over Jammy dodgers earlier in the day.

Next up are Kettlethorpe in the league, with the Foxes looking to over turn the 2-1 defeat received on the opening day of the season.

Foxes & Hounds 5 - 2 Crown Scissett
Luke Mackenzie 3, Leigh Rattigan, Sean Armstrong
MOM: Luke Mackenzie
Own Goals: Chris fricking Cokill