On Saturday morning we were treated to one of the most exciting games we're likely to see all season. Definitely the game of the season so far.
Our illustrious managers, Simon and Mick, used the friendly with The Panthers to blood a few deserving starlets in the A team after some mightily impressive performances in the B team.
Morgan Hamilton ran the show early on with his trademark runs and midfield battling. Morgan was pinging in dangerous through balls and crosses throughout. The St Paul's defence had to be on their toes to keep Morgan's guided missiles from finding their target but there was only so much they could do...
Adam "Full Power" Bower was like a pickpocket in the hustle and bustle of the January sales as he timed his run to perfection, evaded all surveillance and clipped a stunning shot over the keeper and into the corner of the net. Morgan's wonderful passing had the finish it deserved. It was a wonderful sight to see these lads combining so well.
Oliver Yeates followed this up with a divine piece of opportunism as he took advantage of a lapse in concentration at the back, nodded the ball over the keeper and ran through for The Badger's second.
St Paul's would not lie down though and managed to claw one back right at the end of the first half. Patrick Oliveira-Fry showed great awareness and intelligence in his attempt to cover the keeper. Patrick has shown great improvement, attempts to use both feet and is a very solid defender.
Half-Time: Brockham Badgers U10 A 2 St Paul's Panthers U10 A 1
The second-half started with Morgan taking the gloves from the ever dependable George Lees. George had made some excellent saves in the first half and his distribution was much quicker and therefore much more effective. George is very quietly and steadily becoming a fantastic goalkeeper and when he plays up front he never lets anyone down.
Even so, St Paul's soon levelled the game. It was a little against the run of play but when a side never gives up there is always a way back.
Henry Lucas was formidable at the back. His grace and poise on the ball was setting up Oliver Yeates to go forward. When St Paul's attacked Henry was like passport control turning away everything that hadn't been stamped by one of his team mates.
The Two Olivers (now a real threat to Barker and Corbett) began to showcase their skills. Oliver "Iniesta" Quigley carried on from where he left off last week, darting about and laying on chances for the forwards. His vision for picking out team mates is a much welcome talent.
Oliver Yeates volleyed home number three from an acute angle. It was a top notch strike to put The Badger's noses back in front.
The Panthers were soon back in it. Quick to capitalise on errors they ghosted in to the box on two separate occasions and suddenly Brockham were four-three down. It could have been worse too if not for Joe "The Radar" Allen. Joe put in the challenge of the season to put off their main striker as he went through on goal. Joe may well have saved the game.
Will Pirt was making the most of his second outing with some quality runs down the wing. Will's industry was outstanding and the last time I saw someone turn that quick was when a fifty-pence piece fell out of Simon Lees' back pocket about two seasons ago.
Oliver Yeates wouldn't give in, and another super strike levelled the game at four-each. Oliver and Ezra continued to threaten. Oliver's passes soon found Ezra who seemed to teleport in from the left like Captain Kirk. After a fine right foot shot was palmed away by The Panther's keeper it looked like The Badgers would have to settle for a draw...
Then Oliver made another great pass which Ezra took, beat his marker and drilled past the keeper. It was a true goalscorer's goal and another milestone in Ezra's transformation from midfielder to attacker.
Full-Time: Brockham Badgers U10 A 5 St Paul's Panthers U10 A 4
Man of the Match: Henry Lucas, set up the counter attacks with excellent passing and kept the drawbridge up in defence (I'm too young to remember Bobby Moore but they say he was in the same league as Henry).
Squad: George Lees, Henry Lucas, Joe Allen, Patrick Oliveira-Fry, Morgan Hamilton, Will Pirt, Oliver Quigley, Oliver Yeates, Ezra Charles, Adam Bower
Report by Jason Charles
