The rain stopped for a few hours and a blue sky prevailed. It was time for the 2010-2011 season to start in earnest. In recent years Badgers have fought some nail-biting, ding-dong battles with Tadworth and we expected nothing less on Saturday.
From the kick-off Brockham looked composed and assured. New signing Morgan Hamilton laid down the gauntlet early on with a powerful long range shot that was beaten around the post. Morgan would go on to put in a spirited and committed performance throughout and look every inch the midfield general.
It was left to Ezra Charles who break the deadlock. His clinical finish complementing a sublime through-ball by Oliver Yeates. These two boys have developed a telepathic link on the pitch in recent years and it was in full flow on Saturday. Oliver's passing and vision were flawless as he picked out Ezra's intelligent runs time after time.
Jack Duncan leaves his heart and soul on the pitch in every game but there was evidence against Tadworth of just how far his skill has developed. He stepped out of defence and split the Tadworth back-line with a precision ball Platini would have been proud of. Unfortunately the excellent Tadworth goalie would thwart Ezra on this occasion.
Another impressive debutant was Oliver Quigley, who was quick to latch onto a cross from Morgan. Oliver's shot was well saved by the keeper but this time he could only parry it into the path of Oliver Yeates who applied the finishing touch.
As half-time beckoned Oliver Yeates and Ezra Charles were irresistible, playing some of the best football the team has seen. At times Yeates seemed to have telescopic sights on his left boot and Charles was like a wet bar of soap, squirting out from the touchline and away from the attentions of defenders whenever they got near.
Half-time Brockham Badgers 2 Tadworth 0
Tadworth showed admirable team spirit throughout the game and really pushed on at the start of the second-half. Luckily for The Badgers Joe "The Radar" Allen was in fine form, intercepting passes and keeping the door bolted shut at the back. Joe was neat and tidy throughout and always looked in control of every situation.
Despite Tadworth pressure, good work on the left allowed Brockham to break. Yeates and Charles combined again and the ball found its way through to Morgan who almost broke the net with a powerful drive that gave the keeper no chance. As Morgan celebrated his goal, his knee-slide took him over the only remaining blade of grass he hadn't yet touched.
Tadworth continued to try and mount a fight-back. They almost managed it too but...
What is there left to say about Henry Lucas? He is pure silk on the ball and solid steel in the tackle. And as Tadworth broke, Henry, through a combination of sheer will and one telescopic leg, rescued Brockham with an outstanding challenge.
Meanwhile at the other end Adam Bower was showing a nice first touch. What really caught the eye though was how he chased every ball, hassled defenders and forced errors. It was a very solid start for Adam who looks like being a real force this season and an exceptional team player.
It would be another new signing, Oliver Quigley, who would round off the scoring with an exquisite finish. It was nothing more than he deserved for a fine debut.
Even so Tadworth never yielded. After thwarting a one-on-one George "The Cat" Lees was called into action to pull off an acrobatic dive to his right and push a superb Tadworth effort round the post. Never one to relax, George then scuppered the resulting Tadworth corner. The boy with fly-paper hands collects clean sheets like a chambermaid at The Ritz.
This was a great performance studiously masterminded by the Lees-Lucas Dream Ticket. Simon and Mick would head back to Brockham to check on the OPTA stats and talk formations knowing the first three points of the season were in the bag.
Full-time Tadworth 0 Brockham Badgers 4
Man-of-the-match: Morgan Hamilton – grace and guts, reminiscent of Giles and Souness in their pomp!
Squad: George Lees, Joe Allen, Jack Duncan, Henry Lucas, Morgan Hamilton, Oliver Yeates, Oliver Quigley, Ezra Charles and Adam Bower
Match Report by Jason Charles
