This was the cup debut for Badgers’ new kit, sponsored by Bright Spark Toys, and the lads looked as smart as toy soldiers and no longer a kaleidoscope of non-matching kit. Billingshurst was the venue, but the home team was outnumbered both on and off the pitch: they could only find ten players, and the Badgers’ parents were more numerous and more vocal than the Youths’. You didn’t need a weather station to forecast an interesting match, and as is traditional Badgers made the better start with the bulk of possession and territory. After five minutes Billingshurst started to find their feet, and coach Steve Smith urged his defence to drop back to counter the growing threat. Matt Allan, returning to goal-keeping duties, was as solid as ever, dealing with shots and back-passes confidently, and making ground with powerful kicks from hands or the pitch.
Despite thrilling play, half time came with no score. Badgers were playing with the slope in the second half, but it was the home team that forced a corner and scored. From 1-0 down the Badgers substitutes up front started to rally: the pocket volcano James Macintyre-Gordon linking well with Harry Wickens and Freddie Bedford, and amazingly two penalties were awarded to the Badgers, though with neither one converted. Finally Bedford broke through the offside trap and finished superbly to equalise. Both teams were now pushing for the winner, but at the end of normal time came with one goal each.
Ten minutes each way of extra time followed. With the crowd getting increasingly anxious, we entered the second period of extra time still at stalemate. With 7 minutes to go Bedford found himself on the right of the box, and his cunning lob evaded the keeper to give Badgers the lead. Pulses were racing, and tempers threatened to spill over, but Brockham hung on to go through to the next round.
Man of the Match: Alex Finn.
Report by Tom Race
Report by Tom Race
