Blaby Foxes FC

Blaby finally back in action today with only their 3rd game in 2 months. But their first of 4 games in 10 days. A difficult result to take with a 1-0 defeat to craddock. Blaby didn’t start well and were passing poorly. Craddock took the lead after 15 minutes after Mitch was dispossessed and the attacker fired into the top corner from a tight angle with a good finish. Blaby started to play and chances a plenty. Josh and Tom spurning chances and Scott have a couple of shots blocked. Blaby dominated for the rest of game with chances coming thick and fast but wasteful in front of goal. Could’ve easily had 10 from the chances created but to no avail. Ryan having very little to do apart from the odd routine save. Defensively very solid and dominating throughout but so poor in front of goal have cost us today. Next game is on Wednesday which will be a real test.

After 5 weeks the boys finally took to the field again. They made it back to back 3-0 victories with an away win over Bagworth. Another really professional and composed performance. Bagworth started well and had lots of the ball but were constantly rebuffed by blabys back line. A really combative game as challenges were flying in from both teams. Blaby took the lead towards the end of the first half. An expertly delivered corner by Harry to the back post was met by Mikey steaming in to head home via a deflection. Blaby continued to battle but the playing surface made short passing difficult. Into the second half and the game was tight, although Ryan was relatively untroubled Bagworth continued to fight. The substitutes swung the tide though. With 30 mins to go a long ball by Ryan was flicked on by Andy to Kane to knock it through to Tom who kept his cool and found the bottom corner. Bagworth started to tire and a few minutes later it was 3. Ben delivering a corner that was challenged by Mikey before Max’s fine feet found Mikey to finish expertly with the outside of his boot. Blaby then closed the game out well and could’ve had a few more with Stevie, Josh and Tom constantly threatening in behind. The subs won this game and that’s why the squad is important. Max, Tom, Ben, George and Andy all having an impact from the bench. 2 goals for Mikey but the entire defence were immense today. Great to be a part of.

Back to winning ways for blaby as they recover from a poor run of form. They won convincingly 3-0 against Craddock. A really solid and professional performance front to back today. Blaby started well and were passing out quickly and building play but no breakthrough and only a few half chances. Craddock did start to grow into the game as the wind penned blaby in. Craddock had a goal ruled out for offside after Ryan made a good save. But on the stroke of half time Blaby got their goal. A blaby corner was headed out for Ben to strike across the ball first time from well outside the area to send it flying into the bottom corner, goal of the season contender for sure. Blaby started the second half still playing well and kept the ball moving. Josh being released down the left wing to pull it back for Kane to take a touch and fire convincingly into the top corner on his first start since injury. Game management was good as Blaby took the sting out of Craddock attacks and Ryan making good saves when called upon. A third on the counter as Matthew sprung behind and played in Josh to round the keeper and tap in. Great to be a part of today and well worth the victory.

Another league game today as the boys fell to 5-2 defeat to Lutterworth. Another difficult day as a poor run of form continues. The team are lacking any sort of consistency in midfield and attacking areas with several players unavailable. Lutterworth took the lead after Ryan made a solid save at his near post for the ball to fall kindly for the attacker to tap in. A few minutes later after Max was forced over to give Lutterworth a corner it was headed in from under the cross bar by their tall centre back. Blaby did get back after link up play through Zig, Andy and Josh allowed Scott to steal in front of the keeper and put it past him. Lutterworth then made it 3 after a free kick bounced off the crossbar onto the back of Ryan. Lutterworth added a 4th just before half time and then they were reduced to 10 for a really cheap double booking. Blaby starting to apply pressure the momentum did swing but then after 10 mins of the second half a couple of injuries and reshuffle took the sting out of the game. Blaby got their second with Toms corner kick going all the way in. Lutterworth got one towards the end on the counter coolly finished. It’s a tough spell for Blaby at the minute with no rhythm to the side. But effort and fight all over the pitch.

A difficult result to take for blaby today. They returned to league action after 7 weeks after a stop start winter period. But a string of squad drop outs left the matchday squad crippled. Blaby played really well in the first half and controlled the ball passing well through midfield. 2 early goals against the run of play gave a real uphill battle. The first Ryan coming out to claim a through ball that squirmed under him for the striker to score from a tight angle. The second on the counter from a blaby corner. Blaby continued to play and got back in after Toms corner was turned in by a defender at the near post. But less than 5 minutes later Andy’s clearing header was shot from out wide which Ryan couldn’t hold and tapped in for 3-1. Blaby rallied again with Kristen linking up well with Scott to finish before half time. Scott and Stevie also have glorious chances to taken. 3-2 in the second half and the lads begin to tire with no squad depth they failed to capitalise. A long range free kick parried by Ryan and tucked in left it at 4-2. Excellent performances by Mitch, Jacob and Kristen but not enough energy in the side against a full squad Epworth. The boys still have 6 games to score plenty of points and they have to pick themselves up.

The final group game of the EW Foster cup is a day to forget as the foxes are knocked out by Skettle. With only 1 win from their group they go out. The performance today wasn’t great against a full throttle Skettle team as they ran out 7-0 winners. Skettle are known for blowing teams away by attacking in numbers as they flood the box and cut back for tap ins. Blaby couldn’t handle the running power as they still recover from injuries. Shame to end the cup like this today but the effort was there from everybody an plenty of players were dead on their feet. Back into the league next week as the boys still in a good spot to fight for 4th place.

Group game 2 of 3 today away at Enderby United. The boys battled well but fall to a 4-2 defeat. A very good first half again against a higher division side and they took the lead after 30 mins. A measured through ball by Harry releasing Josh to beat the offside trap and knocked it around the keeper to tap. Enderby did get an equaliser before the half with a long free kick bouncing just before Ryan in goal which meant he couldn’t hold on and it was bundled in. Second half was the same with both teams battling well but as Blaby started to tire Enderby made all their subs and the game got away with 15 to go a couple of goals from pinching the ball high up. Blaby still fought and Harry combining with Kristen down the left same as last week got their reward. Kristen’s deep cross was met by Josh to header in brilliantly. Blaby did have other chances for Josh who ran himself into the ground but wasn’t to be. Enderby ended the game strongly and Ryan saved a penalty with 5 to go. But a cracking strike made it 4-2 to finish it. Injures taking their toll today as with the usual squad depth I think Blaby get a result. It will go to the final group game and it’s still in Blaby’s hands to progress. Harry and Josh amazing today.

Cup competition time. First group game of the competition for blaby today. With Blaby being the lowest ranked team in the cup based on league position it will be difficult to progress but the boys have made a hell of start. Beating Big Bear 2-1 who are undefeated in the division above Blaby. Blaby started the game with nothing to lose passing and attacking well, particularly down the left with Kristen, Harry and Andy. Big bear did take the lead though with the pacey winger cutting it back for the striker to expertly finish on the volley after 15 minutes. But Blaby carried on playing and get their reward with a perfect Harry corner called for and headed home by Scott. The second half began and the game was tight but again down the left Harry fed Kristen who played the ball along the edge of the box for Tom to walk onto it and curl the ball beautifully into the bottom corner with his first touch of the match from the bench. Blaby had to dig in for the rest of the game and got fortunate with a few close calls but blocks and clearing headers aplenty from Matt, Andy and Mikey. Big bear have some very good players but blabys desire and fight won the day and give themselves a really good opportunity to progress from the group.

Back in action after Christmas. CSKA Carnabys always makes a close game and today was the same with blaby unfortunately on the wrong side of a 2-1 defeat. Blaby played well in the first half looking really strong at the back but not finding the deadlock. Andy have a header just wide from a corner and Stevie have a good effort denied by the keeper. 0-0 at the half. Second half much more difficult with the strong wind against them but they did break the deadlock first. Mitch’s half way line free kick placed perfectly between goalkeeper and defensive line for Scott to attack and lay it off for Chris to finish. Carnabys equalised 10 minutes later after a measured through ball through the centre was tucked away with the ref overruling the linesman’s offside flag. Blaby still had chances with Josh cleared off the line and Andy heading just past the post again. Into the last 10 minutes Carnabys took the lead as their tall striker met a corner to head in. Blaby still had chances through Jacob and Owayne. Blaby good for a draw really but that’s the way it goes sometimes. In cup action next week.

The end of the year ends with a heavy defeat for blaby to top of the league Beaumont Town 8-1. Beaumont deserved the win but the scoreline is very harsh. 4 headers from set pieces and a couple from outside the box doing the damage all in the first half. Blaby did play and compete in open play and had opportunity themselves. Scott getting on the scoresheet fighting it over line from close range. The players didn’t give up and should’ve had more goals Ben hitting the bar, Kasey a fine strike being blocked with Jacob, Andy and Harry all have good efforts saved. Shame about the result but 2025 has been a great year for the club. Promotion, a cup semi final and they finish the year 4th. The team are disappointed today and want more but have to work hard against the teams around us.