Brockham Badgers U15A faced last season's league, League Cup and Surrey Cup winners in only their second league game of the season, the match being a rematch of last season's Surrey Cup final between AFC Wimbledon and Brockham.
Overall, Badgers will feel hard done by the scoreline as Brockham carved out more and more chances as the game went on, but against the best side at this age group in the County, Brockham were left to admire the clinical finishing of Wimbledon in a 15 minute spell in the first half
Brockham started well, but went one down on 15 minutes as a Wimbledon striker evaded 3 or 4 weak challenges all too easily to slot the ball home. A few minutes later it was 2-0, a poor clearance being spectacularly smashed home from the edge of the box off a post giving keeper Dennis Rapson no chance. As Badgers struggled to get a foothold in the game, Wimbledon took full advantage and made it 3-0 on 30 minutes
Gradually shell shocked Brockham began to compete on level terms and striker Chris Brooks was very unlucky not to reduce the arrears just before half time after carving out a chance for himself.
A stern half time team talk had the desired effect, and the second half was a very even affair. Will Mahoney stood out as he had three headed attempts on goal from set pieces, one striking the inside of the post but somehow stayed out of the goal. Wimbledon of course were still a threat, but Rapson was rarely troubled as the Badgers defence looked more assured. Despite a number of good chances, Brockham were unable to get on the scoresheet with AFC Wimbledon content to see out the game and secure the win.
Squad: Dennis Rapson, Liam Ratcliffe, Will Mahoney, Matt Higgins (c), Will Bletso, Jack Wylie , Josh Brown, Mike Richardson, Harvey Mewis, George Coffey, Harry Ramsey, Alex Nicholson, Frankie Routlef, Chris Brooks.
Report by Bryan Bletso
