Brockham’s Cup campaign started away, on an uphill slope and into a fierce wind. Whilst the first half was a close run battle, the second, down the slope and with the wind, might have seen them score 10 or more! They started the match in a positive manner, pressuring Abbey with sharp passing. Jack Wisbey was pushing forwards from the Badgers half to help open the Abbey defence. Max Austin was very lively up front. Driving up the right hand side, he delivered an excellent cross which just evaded the outstretched legs of two Brockham strikers. Joseph Issberner gathered and turned, but was unable to steer the ball past the keeper. The Badgers continued to press with Aidan Torpey threading a tight ball through to Nataniel King. An Abbey defender managed to get a boot to it, however, unfortunately for him the ball deflected past his own goalkeeper for Brockham to take a 1 – 0 lead. The next through ball, delivered by Issberner, found King, however he was prevented from shooting by a solid tackle.
Abbey then moved into attack mode. They found the Badgers indecisive in midfield and quickly took advantage. Pushing up the left hand side a slightly miscued shot spun clean over the Brockham keeper and into the net. Brockham resumed their all out attack with Issberner chasing another ball from Torpey, only to shoot too close to the keeper, who gathered well. Austin was next to chase a through ball and was promptly bought down by the Abbey keeper. Brockham were not able to convert the spot kick. They continued with waves of attack. King was next to receive a smart pass from Austin, but again strong defending denied him. Issberner thought he had put the Badgers back in the lead having rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home. The linesman flag said no!
Abbey decided to rub salt into the wound by promptly breaking out of their area. Winning a throw in they were nearly at the Badgers goal line before a shot was launched from a very fine angle to score an excellent goal and take a 2 – 1 lead. Austin broke again drawing the Abbey keeper well out of his box. He shot at goal and the keeper was lucky not to be dismissed as he gathered the ball several yards outside of the area. Issberner and Austin continued to cause trouble for the Abbey defence, but it was Torpey who charged into the Abbey half before launching a long range shot into the roof of the net. After another few Abbey attacks Austin threaded through to Issberner again. His shot was parried by the keeper who was able to retrieve the ball as it spun towards his line. Justin Hurst was next to join the scoring action. He won the ball just outside the Abbey area. Moving to his right past two defenders he lobbed the ball over the Abbey defence and keeper to take a 3 – 2 lead into half time.
The second half saw one attack after the other by Badgers. With Alex Watts and William Conroy (captain) controling the defensive lines, Austin (man of the match) and Finn Campbell peppered the goal, but were either slightly wayward or well saved by the Abbey keeper. Hurst floated a corner in for Conor Gilmartin to power narrowly over the bar. Torpey then took a free kick with the rebound finding itself back at his feet. He guided it through to Hurst who took it close to the goal line before firing into the back of the net from a narrow angle 4 -2. Abbey then pressed up the right hand side but the solid defence fo Harry Fairley and Michael Goff wasn’t going to be penetrated. Finn Campbell was next to score to give Brockham a 5 – 2 lead. He neatly passed the ball into the corner of the net having chased another well placed through ball. For their final goal Hurst passed a couple of defenders before turning back and delivering a pinpoint pass off the outside of his boot. Matthew Ford was waiting to drive the ball cleanly into the net to give the Badgers an extremely well deserved win and take them into the next round of the competition.
Man of the Match: Max Austin
Squad: Max Austin, William Conroy, Finn Campbell, Harry Fairley, Matthew Ford, Conor Gilmartin, Callum Glenn, Micheal Goff, Justin Hurst, Joseph Issberner, Natanial King, Aidan Torpey, Alex Watts, Alex Wells, Jack Wisbey
Report by Chris Hurst
