Hard fought win keeps up Brockham title hopes
First Half
Brockham sprung into action straight from the kick off and took the
game to Storrington. The first real chance came in the 5th minute,
when Tiley slid a ball for Potts to gallop after, but the forward's
attempt was muffled by the visitor's defence. The first corner also
went to Brockham, just a minute later but led to nothing. Brockham
were on top of their opponents but were having to fight to maintain
their supremecy. Purcell, dominating his area of the pitch on the
left was playing some intelligent passes to propel his team forward.
In the 9th minute The Badgers were unlucky not to take the lead when
Potts knocked in a shot that clearly had the keeper beat but he could
only watch as the ball hit the woodwork and bounced away to safety.
Soon after, Brockham won another corner, which resulted in The Vipers
almost catching the home side out with a sprint out of defence and
into attack. They broke at speed again minutes later and this was a
wake up call for Brockham, who had to be careful of the sucker punch
and Wheeler in goal had to keeper on his toes.
On 18 minutes Brockham pressed again, down the left wing and Teague
and Tiley conspired to wriggle their way through the Storrington
defenders with some beautiful moves. Teague followed up with a well-
drilled shot that the keeper couldn't get to and ended up in the net.
1-0.
Two minutes after the restart a throw in on the right flank found
Teague, who looked ready to cross into the area, but his looping shot
left everybody flat footed as it sailed over the keeper's head and
make it goal number two. 2-0.
Warne began stamping his presence in midfield and Donegan continued
to harass, as Brockham turned up the pressure. However, Storrington
had shown bursts of energy earlier and on 25 minutes they produced
another counter attack at high speed. Their attackers were not picked
up early enough and they went on to net their opener. 2-1.
With 3 goals in 9 minutes, we now had a game on our hands. It took
all of 2 more minutes for Brockham to hit back, when a corner was
crossed into a crowded area and was met by the quick boots of
Heather. The striker didn't need a second chance and his side now led
3-1.
The last few minutes of the half were all getting a bit breathless
and The Vipers refused to roll over and die. In the final minute they
gained a last gasp corner, from which their forwards were quicker to
a scrossed ball and scored a vital second just before the interval. 3-2.
Half time 3-2.
Second Half
Storrington began the half full of hope and went looking for the
equalizer. First corner went to them on 2 minutes, followed by
another a minute later. Brockham cleared their lines but not without
looking a little uncomfortable. Both teams fought out the first
opening minutes and the away side looked somewhat the sharper at times.
On 8 minutes Turner produce some sharp play of his own and created a
goal scoring chance but his shot was stopped. Gradually, The Badgers
were coming to life more and were pushing harder, with Thomas
immersing himself in the midfield action. Heather had another attempt
blocked and then Teague set up the lively Potts to shoot once more,
but the attempt was saved. Warne also went close and the now livelier
Bockham won a succession of corners. The dependable Purcell, with
Lane and Vaughan were now in charge at the back of Brochkam's half of
the park.
On 18 minutes Watson and Potts threaded their way through a stodgy
Storrington defence but once again the final shot went unrewarded.
More Brockham corners followed and one of which gave Watson a chance
from some way out. His up and under kick almost caught out the other
team's goalie.
Time was ticking away but the action and pace continued unabated, and
with 2 minutes remaining Brockham thought that they had wrapped the
game up once and for all. A cross from the right wing had been met
cleanly by The Badgers strikers and the ball ended up in the net, but
the ref had blown for an infringement on the Storrington keeper. The
seconds were going down and down but Brockham pushed on and on. Baker
won the ball in midfield and hit a pin-point pass for Watson to chase
and shoot well, but the shot was smothered by the keeper. There was
still time for one last scare at the other end but Lane was equal to
The Vipers threat and the game ended in another victory for Brockham.
Full time 3-2.
Man of the match: Joe Teague
Squad: Joe Baker, Jamie Donegan, Jordan Heather, Dominic Lane, Sam
Potts, Jake Purcell, Joe Teague, Wilbur Tiley, Will Thomas, Ollie
Turner, Jacob Vaughan, George Warne, Rufus Watson, Oakley Wheeler.
Report by Tony Watson
