Badgers’ fourth game of the season against Horsham Sparrows U9 was a thrilling encounter, with the Badgers seeking their first win of the season following three successive draws.
The pattern of the game followed that of the previous games, with the team looking dominant in midfield and defence, where in goal Ben Austin showed great confidence, behind the solid work of Jethro Burton, William Glenn and Ben Mackenzie. Training-ground work had focussed on the creation of more scoring opportunities and the reward came as early as three minutes. Huw Morgan, making a strong rundown the left wing played a neat pass to Callum Holder, who coolly slotted the ball home. 1-0 Badgers.
Uncharacteristically loose passing in midfield then led to the Sparrows’ equaliser after a goalmouth scramble, followed by poor positional play in the centre allowing the Sparrows to break forward and score past the exposed ‘keeper. Badgers 1-2 down at half-time.
The half-time break allowed the team to re-focus. Tom Ambrose and Lily Turner reasserted control in central midfield, and Jethro Burton and Arun Watkins kept the opposition on the back foot by supplying good ball forward on the flanks. With six minutes to go, Huw Morgan’s forward pass from the centre of the pitch evaded the Sparrow’s central defender’s despairing lunge, and Callum Holder pounced on the ball to send it smartly home in the bottom left corner for the equaliser.
3 minutes left of this exciting battle, and the Badgers found the strength for a final push towards victory. Ben Mackenzie played a penetrating ball into Callum just forward of the centre-circle. The latter strode forward, and unleashed a shot, forcing a save from the Sparrows’ keeper. As he did so, a lunging tackle from a Sparrow’s defender sent Callum crashing to the ground. Free-kick to the Badgers. Sparrows lined up their wall, and Callum placed the ball slightly left of centre, two yards outside the penalty area. Three steps back, a stunning strike and the ball flew in just inside the angle of crossbar and post. An outstanding way to secure the first win of the season.
Whilst Callum Holder’s clinically taken hat-trick had to earn him the player of the match award, the nature of the goals shows that this was a whole-team effort. Their never-say-die attitude along with the application of training-ground principles makes this victory a much deserved reward for the whole team, and a guide to the way-forward.
Man of the Match: Callum Holder
Squad: Tom Ambrose, Ben Austin, Jethro Burton, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Huw Morgan, Lily Turner, Arun Watkins
Report by Frank Holder
Report by Frank Holder
