Every time these two teams meet, they are never boring matches. Today’s game was no exception. The game began in stale mate, both teams battling hard in midfield, but both defences not allowing there keepers to touch the ball.
After five minutes, Badgers started to press the ball with confidence and started to apply good pressure, which paid off. Martin beat the off side trap and burst forward to open the score line. Barnes a little taken back by the goal, invited further more pressure which lead to a Badgers corner. A pin point cross from Martin found the head of Cremmen to make it two.
Badgers were in control and another attack starting from the right side with some good interplay between Gout, Wood and Lloyd, gave Lloyd a chance to bolt forward to see his shot hit to post, but his persistence nearly paid off, but unfortunately his shoot went slightly wide of the post.
Barnes then caught Badgers of guard and opened up the midfield and defence with some good one touch football and scored a well deserved goal. Barnes then pushed there team up the field and started to apply more pressure, but the sure hands of Badgers goal keeper, Justin Tarrant kept any chances at bay. Moving in to final ten minutes of the first half, Badgers began to win possession. Some good interplay between Coppin and Flint opened up for Flint to slot home a great goal.
Badgers continued to press the ball and control the game, again this paid off. Flint, who took a long ball down the wing from Vakeva-Baird and became provider, with a neat cross from the left corner allowing Cremmen to neatly slot home his second goal of the game.
Second half changes for both sides; Brightman on for Gout and a change of formation and move around of players for Barnes. This has had an immediate effect; Barnes took control of the game and started to dominate. Within minutes Barnes had numerous shots on goal, but were unable to beat Tarrant’s safe hands.
Then a mistake of the new look defence of Vakeva-Baird, Jhugroo and Tom Hampshire which had not put a foot wrong all game, allowed Barnes to pull another goal back. Badgers were taken back by this and allowed Barnes to take more control of the game. Although this gave Badgers some opportunity to catch Barnes on the break due to their high line. The midfield trio of Wood, Cremmen & Lloyd started to absorb the pressure and then with some quick passing and nice through ball, gave Martin the opportunity to get his second of the game.
Barnes still not deterred by score line continued to push forward in numbers and cause problems, but again got caught on the counter attack which allowed Martin to complete his hatrick. Badgers were now were on top and playing some great one-touch football. Silver replaced Flint and made an immediate effect with some darting runs, which gave Coppin the perfect opportunity to make it seven goals.
Barnes although down, showed they still were not going to take this game lying down, and opened up a gap, but Jhugroo closed it down quickly forcing the shot to go over the cross bar. Moving into the last five minutes, the final change for Badgers; Gout came on for Martin and made an immediate impact, by scoring a goal and making if eight for the visitors. The final whistle was blown and it was well deserved win Badgers. Roll on the next round.
Man of the Match: Sam Lloyd
Report by J-P Jhugroo
