A windy Brockham Big Field greeted the Brockham Badgers Barbarians versus Ashurst Wood Lions match on Saturday. After a steady run of draws, the pre-match question was could Brockham now build on their first league win achieved the previous week?
The first quarter of the match was very tight, with little space for both teams to demonstrate their skill. A couple of half chances to Ashurst, that were snuffed out by William Glenn, fantastic in defence, and Lily Turner, who was as comfortable in the net as when she came outfield later in the half.
Early on, with Ben Mackenzie dropping in the hole between the forward and midfield lines, he started to terrorise the Ashurst system and gaps started to be created. With Huw Morgan’s marauding runs and Tom Ambrose driving the team on, the deadlock had to be broken. Indeed just before the half was up, a long range drive from Jethro Burton was just about blocked by the Ashurst defence, but the ball only went as far as Arun Watkins who instinctively slotted it into the bottom left hand corner: 1-0 to the Badgers!
The first half had passed so quickly, in fact the only time one noticed the presence of referee Chelsea Pete was when he awarded the goal and signalled half time.
Half-time saw a number of changes, with Callum Holder moving upfront and Huw Morgan going in goal. This meant rests for Arun Watkins, and Ben Austin who had indeed been imperious at right wing-back throughout the period.
It was clear from the kick-off in the 2nd period that the Badgers new-found confidence was going to make the difference and with each pass and run they were looking more and more like the team to beat.
It wasn’t long before the relentless pressure on the Ashurst defence started to produce tangible results; following more Mackenzie wizardry, a Callum Holder screamer flew into the top left corner: 2-0 and the Badger’s tails were up.
Almost from the kick off the Badger’s were attacking again, this time coming from deep with William Glenn heavily involved, the ball again fell to the lightning Callum Holder who fired low into the bottom corner. It was 3-0 and there was no way back.
Another attack, another Badgers goal! Tom Ambrose’s industrious display deserved a reward, and with a shot on the turn that dipped under the bar, the Badger’s were now four nil up and didn’t look like conceding – in fact Huw Morgan in net was doing his maths homework for much of the second half.
A few more tweaks in the positions, with Arun Watkins and Ben Austin re-joining the team. It didn’t stop the flow of the goals, with Callum netting another brace. Firstly a low drive that pin-balled through the defender’s legs – the goals panel adjudged it to be a striker’s reward rather than an own goal – so a second hat-trick in two matches for the Holder flyer. His fourth came with a stinging drive that was too hot for the Ashurst goal-keeper to keep out.
So it was 6, yes 6 nil to the Badgers Barbarians. Holder takes many plaudits, with four goals. Watkins was showing great skills. William Glenn and Jethro Burton were towers of strength in defence. Lily Turner and Ben Austin were incredibly strong and proved too determined to beat. Morgan was amazing in the outfield, his goal-keeping skills not really tested in this match. Tom Ambrose led the team well, and provided a bit of bite when needed. The man of the match as appointed by our visiting Champions League academy director, was Ben Mackenzie for his effective placement and full-on energy that drove the team to such a score.
Amazing.
Man of the Match: Ben Mackenzie
Squad: Tom Ambrose (Capt.), Ben Austin, Jethro Burton, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Huw Morgan, Lily Turner, Arun Watkins.
Report by Bobby Watkins
