Loxwood Magpies 3 v 3 Milford Pumas Typhoons
 
Squad : Neo, Nathan, Charlie C, Charlie D, Liam, Tom, Chris, Harry, Will, Fletch. Declan, Ethan, Rowan, Alex
Goals : Liam, Alex, Chris
 
The Magpies finished the season with an entertaining encounter at Plaistow FC. In what has been a highly competitive league season, the games have all been close and this was no exception against a spirited Milford side.
 
In the first half the whites started strongly and soon found themselves 1-0 up after Liam’s speculative effort ran under the keeper. Alex then made it 2-0 after his cross-cum-shot sailed over the keeper’s head into the corner. At this stage the magpies were looking strong but Milford still posed a threat with a strong and direct midfield and a dangerous striker, and they pulled one back after Neo’s good save fell to their striker to poke home. And then just as the half time was about to blow a through ball from Milford ran through and they converted to even the score.
 
Roll on to the second half and the intensity of the game grew with a nice ebb and flow to it. The pattern taking hold being Loxwood applying the pressure and Milford looking dangerous on the break. And indeed it was from a Loxwood corner where Milford broke with pace to score to go 3-2 up!!
 
This was a real emotional test for the whites but to be fair no-one’s heads dropped and the pressure and physicality continued apace with Chris really unlucky when the keeper made a fabulous save after a half volley, then Rowan nearly converted – shooting just wide after a good cross from Will. Eventually Loxwood did draw level when a long ball was flicked on by Fletch and Chris tucked the ball away to make it 3-3. The pressure continued with Rowan having a header cleared off the line and Neo’s header being tipped round the post by the keeper. But the whites just couldn’t quite convert these chances to score the winner and into the final minute it was Milford who had a free kick in a dangerous position which Harry athletically turned over for the last action of the game as the final whistle then sounded to signal the end of a highly entertaining encounter.
 
What was so pleasing from this performance was the attitude and resilience from the magpies having gone 3-2 down and they were so unlucky not to come out on top in this match. Man of the match this week goes to Tom who played with great energy, determination and skill – well done Mr. Bonney!!

Brockham Badgers u15 2 v 3 Loxwood Magpies
 
Squad : Kinley, Neo, Daniel, Charlie C, Charlie D, Tom, Ethan, Fletch, Nathan, Liam, Chris, Harry, Declan, Will. Alex,
Goals : Liam, Nathan/OG, Fletch
 
This match was a bit of an unknown for the magpies in coming up against an u15 side who will be in all likelihood in our league next year so it was a good test for this friendly encounter.
 
Loxwood ran out 3-2 winners with Liam opening the scoring after 2 mins after his shot took a deflection, and just afterwards shot just over after some good work by Fletch. The energetic start continued and pressure told when a long throw from Nathan couldn’t be dealt with and the ball bounced of a defenders head over the keeper to make it 2-0. Ethan then nearly increased the lead with a great strike for the keeper to tip the ball onto the bar.
 
The second half saw Brockham grow into the game more with their dangerous and pacy winger their main threat but it was Loxwood who scored next when Fletch made it 3-0 after Ethan’s excellent cross. But Brockham fought back, making it 3-1 after a strike went over Neo’s head. Dan, in his best game in a Loxwood shirt nearly restored the margin after a Fletch through ball before Brockham’s winger struck with a great strike to make it 3-2.
 
The yellows held out though for a well deserved victory. Given the opposition was a year older Loxwood more than matched them for physicality which bodes well for next season. Man of the match this week goes to Daniel for his commitment, drive and energy – great work Dan!!

Saturday 1st May
Dorkinians 3 v 2 Loxwood

Squad : Fletcher, Harry, Chris, Neo, Kinley, Liam, Charlie D, Charlie C, Nathan, Alex, Declan, Ethan, Tom
Goals : Fletcher, Chris

This was a big game 'double-header' against one of our long-standing rivals Dorkinians. The opposition had laid things on nicely too, with the Dorking Wanderers' Meadowbank Stadium the location for this encounter. With a strong line up and Captain Liam back in the starting line up there was plenty of reason for pre-match optimism for the whites on this occasion.

And Loxwood started so well, dominating the middle battle and creating good positions from wide positions. Midway through he first half, Fletch expertly converted  to make it 1-0 from a Liam through ball. The intensity continued and the whites went 2-0 after a great Chris strike following a long throw from Nathan, and then shortly afterwards Liam hit the bar after a stunning 30 yard strike. So it was all going so 'swimmingly' well.
 
But from then on, the opposition re-shuffled and the momentum began to change, pulling a goal back to make it 2-1 after some good play, although it looked offside. Fletch then went close after a super move with the keeper making a good save, The first bit of controversy in this dramatic encounter shortly followed, after Kinley had the ball in his hands to foil a through ball the opposing striker kicked the ball out of his hands to run the ball in.!! But the goal was allowed to stand.

So following all that dominance in the first half Loxwood somehow went in only level 2-2 at half time. 

For the second half the whites could not quite regain the intensity of that first period and the game ebbed and flowed as space began to really open up.  There were some good opportunities though : Neo had a chance to take the lead but the ball just ran away from him on the 4G surface, and then Nathan was set free and he crossed to Chris to slot home under the opposing keeper but the referee dramatically deemed the goal was offside!!

Chris then had a thumping header from a corner saved, and was cynically brought down on the edge of the box when through but Ethan's free kick went over the bar. Into the final few minutes and when it was looking like full time would be all square and we were set for another penalty shoot out, it was Dorkinians who took the lead after a neat finish in the box.

The last few minutes were frantic as spaces opened up for both sides but the magpies were unable to respond and so sadly, and somewhat controversially, had just lost out.

In summary a great performance again, in particular during that first half, and the team can come away feeling really hard done by to lose in such a dramatic and controversial fashion, but as they say, that's football!!

We hope you enjoy the video segments of the goals below - thanks so much to Bik-Kay for sharing.
 

Saturday 24th April
Bookham Colts Barbarians 0 v 0 Loxwood (5-4 on Pens)

Squad :  Hamish, Harry. Chris, Neo, Kinley, Charlie D, Charlie C, Nathan, Alex, Will, Declan, Fletcher, Ethan, Tom

The magpies were really unlucky for this one to just lose out to Bookham in this cup game, and will rue a number of missed chances to get on the scoresheet.

With the pre-match news being that Captain Fantastic Liam was injured and unable to play a part, the whites nonetheless started strongly and Ethan nearly gave Loxwood an early lead, going close after a great, flowing  move from Neo and Tom.

Meanwhile at the other end Kinley made a great stop when the opposition striker was through, but in reality more of the action was at the other end with Alex going close with a good opportunity which the keeper saved, Chris was the next to be denied after his header from a corner was stopped with a great save, and Harry Bubb looked certain to score from his header after a free kick but this was again just kept with a fantastic save. Harry then had another header from a corner saved and Alex was through once again but the keeper kept out his effort. It was relentless pressure and just towards the end of the half Neo nearly converted a ball flashing across the box but just couldn't reach it.

Into the second half and the pressure didn't let up with Loxwood dominant. Chris just shot over the bar and then a fantastic long range shot was again saved by the opposing keeper. On a rare Bookham attack, Kinley made a great save to deny their tricky winger to keep a blank scoresheet. The last 10 minutes was all Loxwood with Nathan firing in long throws to the 6-yard box and causing panic in the home defence, and from one of these the keeper tipped a goal bound Chris header onto the post. 

The valiant magpies had just not been able to convert one of these chances, and for the second game in a row the opposing keeper playing a 'worldie' of a game.

So as this was a cup game, we want onto the penalties and the tension rose. Neo, Chris, Fletch, Alex and Ethan all bravely volunteered to step up - all of whom scored with the exception of Alex's effort which agonizingly clipped the post and went wide. All the opposition penalties were first class with Kinley unable to keep them out. 

So Loxwood lost this one by the finest of margins!!. Their performance of everyone however was top class with the Man of the Match this week going to Fletch who did an outstanding job up front, hassling the centre backs and worrying them with his pace and skill - well done!!
 

Tuesday 13th April 
Broadbridge Heath Bears 3 v 0 Loxwood 

Squad : Kinley, Nathan, Rowan, Charlie C, Charlie D, Scott, Fletch, Chris, Neo, Liam, Hamish, Ethan, Daniel, Will, Declan, Harry

This was a rare friendly midweek game for Loxwood which unfortunately ended in a rare defeat.

Loxwood started really positively, dominating possession and driving forward with great intent. They were really unlucky not to go ahead when Rowan smashed the crossbar from close range after 10 minutes. This was followed by other chances to get on the scoresheet, in particular from Neo, who himself hit the bar from a Fletch corner and then Liam's follow-up goal-bound header being palmed away by the home keeper, who to be fair had an outstanding game. 

Sadly the whites could not make their dominance tell with a number of chances and half chances going begging, and so the first half ended 0-0. 

The second half was a different game altogether with BBH coming more into the game. And this shift in momentum resulted in the home side going 1-0 following a good strike, and then doubling their lead after a mix up a the back allowed the home striker to nip in.

Hamish was unlucky to get on the scoresheet with some good goalkeeping to keep out his effort, although on one occasion the keeper fouled Hamish in the penalty area but sadly no penalty was given. Then following good attack play another golden chance when begging when Neo and Rowan couldn't quite convert an opportunity close-in with the home goalkeeper again keeping the ball out somehow.

As the game drifted out of reach Chris was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after a great strike from a free kick, and shortly afterwards it was game over after the home side made it 3-0, although this scoreline really didn't reflect the pattern of play.

Saturday December 19th, Ewhurst 0 v 2 Loxwood Magpies 

Squad : Kinley, Charlie C, Nathan, Alex, Declan, Liam, Will, Ethan, Hamish, Tom, Charlie D, Chris
Goals : Will, Nathan

A hastily arranged friendly saw Loxwood finish the season with another win and a clear sheet to finish the season on a high.

This performance didn't quite see the magpies reach our now-expected high levels of skill, energy and tactical awareness but nonetheless a win's a win!! The whites spent much of the game locked in a midfield battle against a team without the rigid structure of opposition they would normally be used to, and it was a credit to Ewhurst, who nearly folded this year, to turn out a team to compete with the table-topping whites.

The goals came from Will, who pounced after a goal bound header from Nathan was saved by the keeper. Great following up!! The second came from Nathan, who atoned from missing a glorious chance a little earlier after a great cross from Alex, when he bundled in from close range after some good attacking play from Liam and Tom created the opportunity.

Ewhust themselves had their chances and it was a credit to the sure goalkeeping of firstly Kinley and latterly Liam, to stand firm and keep the resurgent Ewhurst at bay. On this occasion we were missing some key players and were a little under strength, and this was one of those games where many of our usual standout performers didn't quite 'hit it off', but it's the sign of a great team to still be able to pull off a comfortable win when not playing well.

Man of the Match this week goes to Kinley who had a solid performance in goal followed by a very assured performance at Centre Back. Well Done Kinners!!

So another victory which keeps the winning habit going and with a clean sheet all-in-all a great way to end 2020 - a year like no other!! So the whites can now look forward with positivity to 2021. Go Magpies!!

Saturday 12th December - Dorking Wanderers Red 1 v 3 Loxwood Magpies

Squad : Kinley, Harry B, Tom, Liam, Chris, Charlie C, Neo, Charlie D, Alex, Declan, Rowan, Ethan, Michael, Hamish
Goals : Neo, Alex, Ethan

The u14 Magpies arrived at Dorking Wanderers' Wescott based pitch (in the rain again!!!) for the table topping clash of the day. Both teams were unbeaten, with the Magpies sitting 3 points above the Dorking team courtesy of having played a game more. Games between these two have always been tight, with the teams generally cancelling each other out, and the Magpies lined up full of confidence built from their previous performance against Dorkinians. 

The preparations were to again have to factor a shuffle of positions, with Bubba moving to GK and Kinley steeping in to centre back alongside Declan. 
Right from the first whistle, Loxwood were on he front foot, winning plenty of possession in midfield and using it wisely. It was clear that Loxwood would use the width of the pitch to their advantage with Ethan and Alex proving willing runners to try and get in behind the Dorking defence. Most of the early exchanges were in favour of Loxwood and the promising start soon turned onto a lead. And what a wonderful goal it was too! Liam won possession in the middle and swiftly ate up the yards to gain territorial advantage before playing a pinpoint pass into the path of the advancing Ethan – Ethan took two solid touches and then delivered a perfect cross onto the head of the hard running Neo – Neo rose between the defender and the GK and cushioned his header superbly into the far corner of the net. A brilliant move and perfect example of the early ball into the right space. 

This goal appeared to set back Dorking who were now rocking a little and struggling to match the work rate and commitment of the young Magpies. 
Possession was being won high up the pitch ( a key point in the pre-match briefing), and shots were regularly being aimed at the Dorking keeper. Meanwhile at the other end, Bubba had very little to do in goal and was thankful to the back four protecting him. 

Alex and Tom were starting to work smartly together with Alex in particular causing the Dorking defence huge problems in his advanced left midfield/supplementary striker role. It looked only a matter of time before this route would prove costly for Dorking, and so it proved with a neat near post finish from Alex following some sustained pressure and ball retention from Loxwood. 2-0. The remainder of the half followed a similar pattern, with several changes form both teams disrupting the natural flow a bit – it was notable that the Loxwood subs all came on and made significant impacts immediately. 

The half time talk was straightforward – game management and concentration were the main points (plus the old Achilles heel of sometimes holding on to the ball a bit too long). That said quick passing and one touch passing were much improved this week – Dorking being more of a footballing team than some others we have recently played lent itself to this. The boys were very ‘up for it’ going into the 2nd half, and the game carried on largely in the same way the first half had ended. Dorking did look to try and play a little higher and there was a minor storm to weather for 5 mins before the magpies started to assert their dominance once again. Plenty of changes/subs were made to keep things fresh and give as much playing as poss to everyone. 

The game management from the maturing magpies was impressive, and even when the hard-working and fired-up Neo had to leave the pitch due to a nasty looking knee twist, the boys re-shaped and transitioned into a 4-5-1 to clog up the midfield (where Dorking have their strongest players). With about 20 mins to go, after some good high play, Ethan popped up with a left foot lob which caught the GK by surprise and sailed over his head to nestle in the back of the net and effectively make the game safe. 

A rare shot from the Dorking team, who know looked like they were accepting of the inevitable pending defeat, slipped out of Bubba's hands and crept over the line. An unfortunate incident for the stand-in goalie. The only other further drama was an injury to Liam, when contesting a (fair) 50-50 tackle, which caused a further reshuffle of shape to see the game out.  The game played out and the boys were well deserving of their win, after dominating the whole match and asserting their authority right the way through the team. 

Some really impressive performances again this week, the solid back four, the stand in Bubba GK, the drive and work rate from midfield, the movement up top…I could go on. The coaches usually award a Man-of-the-match each week, but on reflection this week the award goes to the whole team – there were plenty of deserving individual winners, but the team performance was the most prominent feature in a notable win against the reigning champs on their own pitch. 

It should be noted that referee commented on what a great game it was, with good football and spirit – and with both teams playing fair and committed football. Thank you to Dorking – a good side who like to play good football and were very gracious in a defeat that must have been hard to take. Great to see boys from both sides chatting with each other after the game, and showing a real sportsmanlike and mature attitude. 

The Magpies go into the xmas break 6 points clear at the top of div 1. 

Thanks to Bik-Kay from the very welcome hot chocolate and to Hannah for the photos!!! Merry XMAS all! 

Saturday 5th December, Loxwood Magpies 4 v 1 Dorkinians

Squad : Ethan, Charlie C, Harry B, Declan, Alex, Chris, Liam, Tom, Kinley, Neo, Nathan, Harry P, Charlie D, Will
Goals : Chris, Will, Alex, Neo

So our first game back from Lockdown 2 was a home fixture against recent rivals Dorkinians. It seems an age since we last met at the Cup Final in October!!
'Home' was a little different for this one, given much-needed maintenance works were ongoing at 'the nest' in Loxwood, we used the opportunity to play just up the road at the home of Plaistow FC.

This was a classic cold December grey day with a somewhat soggy pitch, rain and hail mixed with some bright sunshine making it not for the feint-hearted - and games against Dorkinians feel a bit like this too as they have always been physical encounters!! However, on this occasion the magpies certainly came out on top!!

After a fairly even opening, it was Dorkinians who took the lead after a strike bounced off the post and landed neatly to a waiting striker to fire home. Could the magpies come back from this early setback?? Absolutely!! After this 'wake-up call', Loxwood began to get more and more into the game with Chris and Liam working together nicely in midfield and using the width well - and from one of these nice moves Nathan's deep cross from the right just evaded Tom at the far post. Finally, just before half time, Chris fired home after another great cross from the wings. Get In !!! And so it finished 1-1 at half time.

Into the second half and the whites were beginning to dominate the physical battles, and midway through the half Will drove the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-1 after a strike from Liam was pushed out by the Dorkinians keeper.  Meanwhile, the magpies ever solid defence were continuing to stand firm to protect the rota of stand-in goalies of Ethan, Chris and Harry B. On the wings the whites continued to threaten with Alex looking particularly dangerous on the left and from a lovely run he beat two players before calmly slotting below the advancing keeper to make it 3-1. Dorkinians heads were now beginning to drop and gaps were starting to show at the back and with a few minutes remaining Neo took his chance by slotting home after a nice through ball to make it 4-1 and all but confirm the win.

So yet another great win as the whites go from strength to strength and this solidifies Loxwood at the top of the league. This game was won because we outfought our opponents and took our chances!! Great stuff boys. Onto Dorking Wanderers next !!

The coaches man of the match this week goes to Alex for his committed and energetic performance and his cracking solo goal. Well done Alex!!