Brockham Badgers U16As maintained their unbeaten league start to the season with a hard fought win over joint top of the league Heron Olympic. Badgers had beaten Heron 5-0 in the league cup, but Brockham were in no doubt that this would be a tight match given Heron's good start in the league.
The first half was close with neither side really able to shade play, Brockham looking secure in defence, while Heron's goal rarely came under sustained pressure. Heron were matching Brockham in midfield, while a mobile defence saw the visitors often thwart any threat from the home side,
Goalless at half time, the second half was just as close as the first, and it looked like it would take something special to break the deadlock. The breakthrough came Heron's way, a corner forced home with 20 minutes to go to give Heron a 1-0 lead as reward fro their hard work. Suddenly the game sparked into life, Brockham stung into action, Henry Hill combining well with Stephen Kehl to cross for Tim Hopkins, whose powerful shot cannoned off the bar and into the goal before the ball bounced out. A very sporting away linesman flagged for the goal, and Brockham were back in the game.
Moments later it got even better, a penalty awarded for a handball, Henry Hill sending the keeper the wrong way from the spot kick to put Brockham 2-1 up just 5 minutes after Brockham had gone behind.
With 15 minutes to go, Heron put pressure on the Brockham goal, but the Brockham defence was in strong form, Scoop lad of the match Will Bletso often mopping up some dangerous attacks as fellow defenders Henry Smith, Jack Hunt and captain Tom Bletso did their bit to see the time out and secure a good win over strong opposition
Scoop Lad of the Match: Will Bletso
Squad: Connor Mitchell, Henry Smith, Jack Hunt, Tom Bletso ©, Will Bletso, Ollie Smith, Charlie Holmes, Mike Carty, Joe Parker, Henry Hill, Stephen Kehl, Tim Hopkins
Report by Bryan Bletso
