Four games in, two losses against out of sight opposition, and a point apiece from two of the teams Brockham Badgers U14As had hoped they could strive to take points from in Surrey’s Premier Elite when they’d studied the fixtures at the start of the season. So far, so good, and all to play for.
What was particularly pleasing with Sunday’s draw with Hampton & Richmond Borough Juniors was the performance. Whilst the Thames boys were clearly a capable setup it was Brockham that edged possession and certainly controlled the game in the second half.
Things didn’t get off to a great start though. The boys had been well drilled in training and their shape and effort was much improved, but an unfortunate mix-up in defence led to a soft goal after the Hampton & Richmond No.17 was allowed a free run at the Brockham keeper and finished within five minutes of the start.
Brockham picked themselves up however and started to play. The back line was well marshalled by Luc Jhugroo as they either caught the impatient Hampton front line off-side or pressed play to limit the opposition any space in midfield.
In front of them the imposing Justin Tarrant patrolled effectively and worked the ball through the middle well in his link up play with Sam Lloyd and Oscar Cremmen. Cremmen and Lloyd’s combination of direct running and balls into the channels were starting to cause problems for the black and reds who were now on the back foot.
It was from a wide area that Jordan Martin pursued a through ball right to left. He collected it a split second before his Hampton & Richmond marker, switched back onto his favoured right foot, and clipped it past the keeper who got a hand to it but could only look back as it rolled over the line.
In the second half Brockham pressed space better and the two full backs George Gomes and Oli Gout came into the game with opportunities to overlap with Brockham’s midfield. It was from an overlap move that the ball was whipped across the Hampton & Richmond 18-yard area. Alex Flint, who had worked like a Trojan on his own up front, got beyond his marker and with still a lot to do under pressure, an awkward ball to bring down, and on his weaker foot, he did brilliantly. His first touch was exquisite and his second buried it in the net from 10 yards. Clinical.
Confidence spread through the team and it was not long before Martin had been released down the right again. His blistering pace put him into space, he cut across his pursuer and with the keeper rushing out he bent the ball with the outside of his right foot only to see it go wide of the post.
A few minutes later Martin was running at goal again. This time he played a clever square ball to Flint who pulled his foot back to finish, only for a superbly timed recovery tackle from Hampton to deny him.
Brockham had been warned however. On three occasions the black and whites advances had been halted and the boys from the Thames mounted quick counter attacks that left them a man short and exposed on the right. With three minutes to go Brockham made a tired decision by diving into a tackle unnecessarily. The Junior’s No.17 rolled the defender, ran at goal, and levelled the game.
The Badgers can be proud though. A village side mixing it with the big boys and showing they’re a match for most on their day.
Lad of the Match: Alex Flint
Report by Jason Rabbetts
