Dobson strike inspires Foxes victory

Another Sunday and another victory for the Fox & Hounds!! This time Kettlethorpe were the visitors to the Sky Blues' fortress, which is pretty much any pitch in a 10 mile radius of Becketts! The Foxes were looking to back up last weeks comprehensive victory of Scissett with another against near neighbours Ketty who had beaten the Foxes 2-1 on the opening day of the season.

Leigh Rattigan donned the armband and told anyone who would listen that one he's sober, two and most importantly the Blues have won both games in which he's captained the team (now three and no doubt we won't be allowed to forget it). Gareth Dobson came into the middle of the park as Matt Coxall was on his tenth holiday of the year and partnered Marcus Hoggard who yet again turned up at 10.15 trotting out the same line blaming his kids for his tardiness and lack of time to put the nets up!

After every Tom, Dick and Harry dumped their coats, gloves and hats on Jess the game got underway with the Foxes straight onto the attack. Mark Herries had been given a start after impressing the previous week and it didn't take long for the WKD loving 'machine' to wreak havoc as a shot from the edge of the area was goal bound only for Matt Summersgill, who in an offside position tapped it in. However, it didn't stop Herries, who minutes later received the ball out wide and after skipping past the right back neatly chipped the ball over the stranded Ketty goalkeeper to open the scoring #BeeeeepBeeeeep

The Foxes continued to pile the pressure on but it was Kettlethorpe who equalised from a Sky Blues corner as a fortunate rebound left Paul Midgely with a three attackers on one and after smart play Ketty squared the ball to the back post for a tap in. Nevertheless and much to their credit the Foxes responded and quickly with a lovely move as a right hand side cross was nodded down by Mackenzie to the edge of the area, and after a neat lay off Gareth Dobson burst onto the scene like, well, like a centre back lost! However, his shot didn't resemble that as he connected sweetly with a low pile driver nestling to the left of the keeper.

Chances continued to flow the way of the Foxes with Mackenzie and Herries lashed the ball over. A long ball from Ketty caused confusion in the Blues' defence and it was left to Leigh Rattigan to deal with. Unfortunately for Ratters, he continued on his goal scoring form, this time netting in the wrong goal, as his cushioned header went over Lee Hawksley. The equaliser spurred on the visitors as they suddenly took the lead for the first time and left the Sky Blues shell-shocked at 3-2.

However, the Foxes rallied yet again and Matt Summersgill who had been involved in a titanic battle managed to elude his fellow dwarf and after a neat trick tripped himself up in the area falling like Herries' jaw when a lady walks by. However, and to the surprise of most a penalty was awarded and it was left to Summersgill to slot the resulting kick away to tie the game up at 3-3 at halftime.

After a stern talking too and a cuddle for Mackenzie the Foxes immediately set about the second stanza. The opening exchanges were tight but Armstrong and Mackenzie continued to probe the Ketty defence and after a few forages a miss hit clearance fell to Mackenzie 
in the box. The desperate Ketty defender fell the Blues top goal scorer resulting in another penalty. This time It was left to Mackenzie to convert the penalty, slipping in the process.

The Foxes grew in confidence and after a wave of attacks they crucially extended their lead from a corner. Mackenzie swung a dangerous ball into the area, which swerved directly in the back post as the Ketty defender made a futile attempt at clearing the ball. Armstrong and Mackenzie continued to cause the visitors defence problems and it was Mackenzie who bagged his hat-trick after hard work from Armstrong in the area, who spotted his strike partner free and after a well weighted lay off Mackenzie swept the ball away to cement the victory.

Their were numerous impressive performances with Chris Markey dominate in defence before his scuffle and Dobbo bossing the middle of the park in Kante style. Herries once again proved to be a thorn in the Kettlethorpe defence and the introduction of Cleary helped stabilise the Foxes defence coupled with his clinical crosses adding to the Foxes attack. The Foxes wheeled out the big guns as their '100% shots to goal ratio' Raymundo was brought on up top with Pirlo supporting the midfield. However, it was Chris Cokill who scooped the Foxes MOM in a clinical second half performances which pushed the Sky Blues into joint third.

In other news, Dobbo fell over again, there was big bang which everyone survived, the beef stroganoff was top notch and Stretch didn't score!

Next Up: Landlords 2nd Round - Kettlethorpe (A)

Fox & Hounds 6-3 Kettlethorpe
Mackenzie 3, Herries, Dobson, Summersgill
MOM: Cokill