Badgers U9 Barbarians 3 - 2 Horsham Sparrows (Horsham & District Youth League)

Badgers’ fourth game of the season against Horsham Sparrows U9 was a thrilling encounter, with the Badgers seeking their first win of the season following three successive draws.

The pattern of the game followed that of the previous games, with the team looking dominant in midfield and defence, where in goal Ben Austin showed great confidence, behind the solid work of Jethro Burton, William Glenn and Ben Mackenzie. Training-ground work had focussed on the creation of more scoring opportunities and the reward came as early as three minutes. Huw Morgan, making a strong rundown the left wing played a neat pass to Callum Holder, who coolly slotted the ball home. 1-0 Badgers.

Uncharacteristically loose passing in midfield then led to the Sparrows’ equaliser after a goalmouth scramble, followed by poor positional play in the centre allowing the Sparrows to break forward and score past the exposed ‘keeper. Badgers 1-2 down at half-time.

The half-time break allowed the team to re-focus. Tom Ambrose and Lily Turner reasserted control in central midfield, and Jethro Burton and Arun Watkins kept the opposition on the back foot by supplying good ball forward on the flanks. With six minutes to go, Huw Morgan’s forward pass from the centre of the pitch evaded the Sparrow’s central defender’s despairing lunge, and Callum Holder pounced on the ball to send it smartly home in the bottom left corner for the equaliser.

3 minutes left of this exciting battle, and the Badgers found the strength for a final push towards victory. Ben Mackenzie played a penetrating ball into Callum just forward of the centre-circle. The latter strode forward, and unleashed a shot, forcing a save from the Sparrows’ keeper. As he did so, a lunging tackle from a Sparrow’s defender sent Callum crashing to the ground. Free-kick to the Badgers. Sparrows lined up their wall, and Callum placed the ball slightly left of centre, two yards outside the penalty area. Three steps back, a stunning strike and the ball flew in just inside the angle of crossbar and post. An outstanding way to secure the first win of the season.

Whilst Callum Holder’s clinically taken hat-trick had to earn him the player of the match award, the nature of the goals shows that this was a whole-team effort. Their never-say-die attitude along with the application of training-ground principles makes this victory a much deserved reward for the whole team, and a guide to the way-forward.

Man of the Match: Callum Holder

Squad: Tom Ambrose, Ben Austin, Jethro Burton, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Huw Morgan, Lily Turner, Arun Watkins


Report by Frank Holder

Tadworth U10A 0 - 4 Badgers U10A (Tadworth Primary League)

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

Badgers U9A 4 - 2 Elm Grove Colts A (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division)

Having suffered 3 straight defeats Brockham were badly in need of a strong performance. Brockham set off at pace and immediately put Elm Grove under pressure with Sam Church shooting just wide. Ed Russ then played the ball out to Joe Rabbetts on the left who whipped a ball across the Elm Grove goal which was met by Jos Hunt who made no mistake, 1-0. Again, Joe Rabbetts got away only to be brought down in the Elm Grove goal by a fine tackle. Will Timmons pushed forward for Brockham and fired in a long range shot just over the bar. New Brockham goal keeper, Hugh Morgan, made a series of good saves and kept Brockham in the lead. Brockham broke again and Joe Rabbetts took the opportunity to build Brockham’s lead, 2-0. Sam Church got the ball out to George Wryde  who shot just wide for Brockham. Another Brockham cross fell to Sam Church who buried his shot, 3 -0. Brockham kept their shape and passed the ball well, something that had been lacking previously, but Elm Grove were not out of this and scored on the break just before half time. 3-1.

At half time Brockham Coach, Jason Rabbetts, brought on Archie Routleff and Owen Knowles, replacing Ben MacKenzie  at right back. Elm Grove came out immediately looking to get back into the game and Hugh Morgan was forced to come off his line, making Elm Grove shoot wide. Elm Grove were having trouble dealing with Joe Rabbetts, his shot on target was spilled by the Elm Grove keeper and Sam Church was on hand to finish it, 4-1. Elm Grove managed to get another goal but it was not enough and the match ended 4-2. It was a much better performance by Brockham.

Man of the Match: Ed Russ.

Report by Rick Russ

Badgers U12A 7 - 0 Steyning Strikers (Horsham and District League B)

First Half
Brockham Badgers produced another emphatic win and established
themselves as league leaders. A lightning start to the game by
Brockham saw Turner whip in a cross for Tiley to flick the ball past
the keeper and onto the post.
Players fought for territorial control and at times the football was
played in tight clusters. A breakthrough happened on 7 minutes when
Warne collected a stray ball in midfield and raced goal-wards. In
full flow he is always difficult to stop and his powerful shot left
the Steyning keeper completely flat footed. 1-0.
At midpoint through the first half The Badgers opened up the visitors
defence with some delightful dribbling by Dogansoy, who then crossed
for poacher extraordinaire Turner to trap and knock in number two. 2-0.
Brockham now started to dictate most of the playing pattern, as the
league's most potent strike force coupled by one of the meanest
defences began to dominate. The vocal and highly organized Lane was
sweeping away any threat at the back, and the rest of the defence, in
Killick, Baker and Vaughan were proving to be watertight.
Brockham's attack were strong, fluid and more menacing, with Teague,
Donegan and Dogansoy producing worthwhile attempts. For long periods
Steyning remained pinned in their own half as the home team turned on
the thumb screws and more goals seemed just a question of time. Into
the last three minutes and Killick thumped a wonderfully accurate
ball up the center of the park for Tiley to chase. Tiley shook off
his marker and fired past a hapless goalie to make 3-0.
Half time 3-0.
Second Half
Brockham went at Steyning immediately from the kick off and spent the
next five minutes gradually breaking down the battling away side.
On 7 minutes Steyning resistance finally gave way when Warne slid a
through ball to Heather on the left wing, who in turn crossed. The
ball bounced to Donegan away on the right hand side, who controlled
skillfully and belted an unstoppable cross-goal shot into the net. 4-0.
The Badgers keeper Wheeler remained unemployed for most of the game
but he had to keep on his toes as the visitors never gave up trying
to find their consolation goal. This was an energetic game and a few
overzealous tackles were beginning to creep in, although things never
really got out of hand.
On 16 minutes Brockham extended their lead: a poor Steyning goal kick
reached only as far as the expectant Brockham forwards Teague and
Donegan. Their neat interplay gave Turner his chance to knock in the
fifth of the game. 5-0.
The hosts kept up the momentum and continued to pile on the pressure
with Thomas providing plenty of running. It culminated in a mad
penalty area scramble in front of the Styning goal, with the ball
bouncing here, there and everywhere. It was eventually cleared but
only for Brockham to press more and more. With only 3 minutes left
Donegan attacked and found Heather in an intelligent position inside
the Styning box. Heather made the most of his opportunity to shoot
home the penultimate goal of the day. 6-0.
And still the Badgers were hungry for more! Another weak goal kick
from the away team went only as far as Teague, who was first to ball
and delivered his shot into the corner of the net for the final word
of the game. 7-0.


Full time 7-0.


Man of the match: Dominic Lane


Squad: Joe Baker, Kemal Dogansoy, Jamie Donegan, Jordan Heather,
Daniel Killick, Dominic Lane, Joe Teague, Wilbur Tiley, Will Thomas,
Ollie Turner, Jacob Vaughan, George Warne, Oakley Wheeler.


Report by Tony Watson

Badgers U15A 8 - 0 Wallington Wanderers Youth (Surrey County Cup 1st Round)

Aiming to emulate their immense achievement of reaching last season's Surrey County Cup final, Brockham Badgers U15A  cruised into Round 2 of  this season's competition with a crushing 8-0 defeat of Wallington Wanderers from the Tandridge league. Normally slow starters, Badgers were 3-0 up inside 5 minutes and the first goal was scored without an opposing player touching the ball, Liam Ratcliffe putting in a great cross that Jack Wyllie poached at the near post. Next up, Oli Winter combined with George Coffey to play in Harvey Mewis, who finished coolly for 2-0, and Harry Ramsey added the third, using his blistering pace to run onto a long Dennis Rapson clearance and bury a shot in the far corner.

Maybe Brockham relaxed at this point, as they allowed Wallington off the ropes and back into the game, and it took another 30 minutes to add to the score. Once again Jack Wyllie showed a good striker's instinct to score his second from close range, and just before the break Chris Brooks drove into the box and Oli Winter tapped in for 5-0.

Wallington came with no substitutes and, with the second half only just underway, they lost a player to injury and played out the match with 10 players. To their great credit they continued to play some decent football and defended tooth and nail, their keeper making a couple of very good saves, and restricted Badgers to just three more goals. First, George Coffey was tripped in the box and planted the penalty out of reach of the keeper's dive. Then Chris Brooks got his reward for a number of close efforts with goal number 7, before Coffey bagged his second with a close-range header. So a convincing performance all round, but all credit to Wallington who showed flashes of skill as well as resilience and good fitness levels.

Squad: Dennis Rapson, Will Mahoney, Liam Ratcliffe, Matt Higgins, Will Bletso, Oli Winter, Mike Richardson, Frankie Routleff, Josh Brown, Jack Wyllie, Harvey Mewis, Alex Nicholson, George Coffey, Harry Ramsey, Chris Brooks.

Report by Simon Winter