The heavy rain of the previous night gave way to perfect conditions on a large Roffey Robins pitch, which was perfectly suited to the hard-running, passing game of Brockham Badgers U9 Barbarians.
Having been pretty much dominant in all five of their previous games this season, the Badgers were in no mood to let their standards drop. From the outset, superiority was established on the solid defensive foundations of Ben Austin and later Huw Morgan in goal, and Jethro Burton and William Glenn in defence. In midfield, captain Tom Ambrose and Lily Turner kept the opposition chasing the ball with their excellent positioning and distribution of the ball. Particularly pleasing was the fact that the team proved that the goals can come from several positions, and that they do not have to depend solely on one player to put the ball away.
The first goal came after only four minutes, Lily Turner passing from deep on the left to striker Arun Watkins on the left corner of the penalty box. Neat footwork took Arun passed two Robins defenders before he hit the back of the net.
Badgers did not have long to wait before their second. A penetrating ball from Jethro Burton on the halfway line found Lily Turner on the edge of penalty. She side-stepped to the left then fired high into the net for her second of the season.
After nine minutes, player-of-the-match Arun Watkins earned the reward for his constant movement and harrying of the Robins’ defence, claiming his second goal from four yards out.
3-0 Badgers halfway through the first and prospects did not improve for the Robins as Huw Morgan came on in goal and top-scorer Callum Holder joined as second striker. Dominance of possession continued, however the team had to wait until the second half to add to the scoreline.
Robins’ second-half kick-off was intercepted by live-wire Callum Holder, now pushed forward to the most advanced striking position. Callum stole the ball from his opposite number and laid it wide to Ben Mackenzie who returned it to an advanced central midfield position for collection by Tom Ambrose. The latter cheekily passed through the advancing defender’s legs to Callum who shot from just inside the area low into the left corner of the net. 4-0 and another rout on its way.
Still no joy given to the Robins by defenders Glenn, Burton and Austin, all three immaculate in defence, leaving Morgan in goal with little to do.
As busy as ever, however, was Lily Turner who, intercepting a Robins throw close to the halfway line, moved the ball on to Ben Austin whose quick ball to Callum Holder on the right corner of pen area was followed by a dribble past 3 Robins defenders and a shot high into net for his second.
The match won, it only remained for Callum Holder to complete his third hat-trick in as many games. Big-man-at-the-back Jethro Burton cleared up a Robins free-kick with a long clearance to Holder on the goal-line left of the of pen area. A few steps to the right and a chipped shot into the right hand corner. Six for the Badgers today, eighteen in six matches, and the team goes from strength to strength, showing that hard work plus ability is an unbeatable combination.
Man of the Match: Ben Mackenzie
Squad: Tom Ambrose (C), Ben Austin, Jethro Burton, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Huw Morgan, Lily Turner, Arun Watkins.
Report by Frank Holder
