Brockham Badgers U16A put in a good team performance at Upper Beeding on Saturday and can count themselves unlucky not to have come away with all three points.
After the disappointing performance the week before against Cranleigh, Brockham got back on track from the off as they forced Upper Beeding on to the back foot with a high tempo start to the match,. Beeding were rocking and it was no surprise when lad of the match and captain Tom Bletso slotted the ball home from a corner to make it 1-0 on 10 minutes.
Brockham continued to press but despite opportunities could not build on their lead, and against the run of play Beeding equalised from a corner after Brockham failed to clear twice giving Beeding a simple opportunity in the 6 yard box.
1-1 at half time, Brockham were somehow behind within a minute of the restart, Brockham losing the ball in midfield which led to Beeding catching the defence flat footed, a great strike from a Beeding striker giving Brockham keeper Connor Mitchell no chance. The fact Mitchell hardly touched the ball for the rest of the second half is a testament to the domination Brockham now had, but it was to be a frustrating half for the Badgers. Stephen Kehl did well to equalise for Badgers with 20 minutes to go, sliding the ball past the Upper Beeding keeper who had a great game, and it looked like it was a matter of time before Badgers scored the winner.
Beeding defended for their lives though, and made life very difficult for Brockham, and despite plenty of possession few chances were carved out for Badgers. Indeed, a gutsy Beeding side gave Brockham a scare with 10 minutes to go, having an effort ruled out from a free kick for off side. The last 10 minutes saw Badgers press and press, a frenetic last period seeing Brockham dominate but create few real chances.
Squad: Connor Mitchell, Joe Parker, Henry Smith, Tom Bletso ©, Jack Hunt, Ollie Smith, Ollie Legg, Charlie Holmes, Will Bletso, Henry Hilll, Stephen Kehl, Mike Carty
Man of the Match: Tom Bletso
Report by Bryan Bletso
