Despite two key players missing and only twelve travelling, Brockham were hoping to nick a result against Leatherhead Youth. Unfortunately their optimism was dealt a blow, yet again, within the first five minutes. Losing possession, the Badgers were lethargic in recovery and were punished with a simple through ball and a well taken finish.
Brockham had setup with five in midfield to stifle the Tanners 4-4-2 formation but the Badgers’ limited squad options were not making the extra man count. Luke Brightman, who had been risked despite his knees continuing to trouble him, was trying hard but struggling to compete. A further ten minute period of pressure from the Tanners forced a change for Brockham.
His replacement, Lewis Wood, was another walking wounded having not started due to being sick on arrival. However, the black and whites now matched the Leatherhead boy’s 4-4-2 formation and the extra space in midfield and greater options up front started to pay dividends as Wood forgot his illness and increasingly exerted his influence.
Why it seems this season that the black and whites need to go behind before they decide to wake up to the game is a puzzle, but so it seemed. They now battled for the ball and organised their shape better throughout the balance of the first half, and went into half-time on the ascendency and edging the game despite being a goal down.
Leatherhead was having none of it though. They came out for the second half fighting, and while Brockham should have built on their confidence from the first half they instead faded a little. It is small margins that make the difference at this level – mind, body, and soul need to be committed, but despite their clear capability the boys on occasions look as if they don’t believe they deserve to be on the pitch with elite teams.
As confidence flat-lined and tiredness crept in the concentration dropped in midfield. Despite a well organised Brockham back line, a Tanners’ cross from the right dropped between the Brockham defence and midfield. There was no-one in black and white there. Leatherhead’s runners in the middle were alert and got ahead of the Badgers midfield. They ran at the now outnumbered Brockham defence and threaded a ball through the middle which was despatched one on one with the keeper.
Brockham decided to risk Brightman again, taking the imposing but tiring Justin Tarrant off. The plan being to rest him for ten minutes and then bring Brightman back off, having done a short term job for the team. No soon as Tarrant was off, James Rabbetts in the Badgers goal went down with a twisted knee – he was out. Looking for options, the Brockham manager rued his decision to go with a small squad this season, and had no choice but to throw Tarrant into goal and risk Brightman for the rest of the game.
Patched up and on the back foot they put up a spirited fight, but two further goals put paid to any chance of a recovery. The better team on the day won, but Brockham on a good day with a full squad will be a different prospect.
Lad of the Match: Lewis Wood
Report by Jason Rabbetts
