This would be the Badgers first game in the South Surrey League and I was lucky enough to get a press-pass to travel to the game with the tactical mastermind that is Mick Lucas. On arriving at Chiddingfold there was definitely a feeling that the boys were going into the Lion's Den. But Mick "The Motivator" Lucas began the mind games early on insisting that The Badgers do a full warm-up despite the team arriving a few minutes behind schedule. It was a decision that would pay dividends.
The early going was tight. Chiddingfold were a solid unit. They used the guile of their number 14 and the aerial ability of their number 9 to pin The Badgers back. But Jack Duncan was as determined as a Jack Russell yapping at a postman's heels. He consistently put in the tackles and chased off the many early Chiddingfold attacks. His spirited early running would give The Badgers a solid base on which to launch their own attacks. And they were soon to come…
Oliver Yeates was inspired on the ball and saw a left foot smash tipped over by the keeper early on. Shortly after he had a shot from a tight angle bounce back off the post. Oliver was involved in every attacking move and seemed to be conducting those around him with a football brain beyond his years.
It was Henry Lucas who broke the deadlock. One touch to bring the corner under control and then a second to drill the ball home. It was a great strike by Henry who has become The Badgers' no claims insurance policy: he's always there if you need him and he gets more valuable every year!
The second followed soon after with Ezra Charles swivelling to dispatch a volley into the far corner after more great work from Oliver Yeates.
Oliver was really hitting his stride now and was soon involved again. He stepped to the left and then cut the ball back sharply leaving the Chiddingfold defence, and most of the spectators, wondering where he'd gone. Then, while his dad put through a missing persons call, Oliver set up birthday boy Morgan Hamilton for a fine finish.
The game had been close in terms of possession but Brockham's creative play was scintillating. Chiddingfold were not out of it though. They were a real threat at set pieces and their talismanic number 9 got his head to a corner to pull one back just before half-time. And with Chiddingfold pressing for a second Jack Duncan and Joe Allen were alive to everything happening around them. Both boys started the half and ended the half with some crucial tackles.
Half Time: Chiddingfold FC 1 Brockham Badgers 3
George Lees had dealt well with any shots that had come his way in the first-half. He was put up front in the second-half and did the team proud. Joe Allen went in goal after some fine defending in the first-half. He kept it simple when he needed to but he also executed some fine chipped passes up to the forward players. Joe's all-round game looked great and he didn't put a foot wrong between the sticks either.
Adam Bower was making some good runs with the ball and trying to find his team mates. He had a good shot charged down by the resolute Chiddingfold defence and he never gave up. Adam's determination was infectious and he really inspired those around him to raise their game. It was another excellent appearance for Adam.
Ezra Charles continued to combine with Morgan, Adam and Oliver. At times he seemed to defy the laws of physics, changing direction so quickly it was as if he was turning himself inside-out like one of those reversible anoraks from the 1980s. Twisting on a fifty-pence piece, Ezra found room where there was none and put many quality balls across the box.
The next goal would be the best of the game. An early ball out from Joe at the back went through Oliver, George, Ezra, back to George, back to Ezra and then pinball-ed its way up the pitch as the boys put more one-twos together than Muhammad Ali. Then Ezra finally played Morgan through who finished it in style. It was a fantastic team goal reminiscent of Ronaldo and Rooney from a season or so ago, only these boys have a better first touch!
The game continued to ebb and flow. Chiddingfold never gave up and were always a threat. There were some close attempts at goal but Henry Lucas seemed to have everything under control and elegantly delivered the ball wherever it needed to be. And if you want to see a team defend from the front then George Lees chased down every ball and put pressure on his opponents which eventually forced the error for the final goal…
Birthday boy and midfield general Morgan Hamilton completed his hat-trick with a sliding shot that beat the keeper to his right. I'm not sure of he took the match ball home with him but, put it this way, nobody could get it off him when he was on the pitch!
Full Time: Chiddingfold FC 1 Brockham Badgers 5
Man of the Match: Oliver Yeates, goal scorer turned provider - his best performance ever (like Chris Waddle but with a better haircut)
Report by Jason Charles
