Badgers U15A 1 – 3 Sheen Lions Pride (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

There won't be too many easy points in the league this season, and from past encounters between these sides Brockham would have looked on this fixture as a good opportunity to grab three of them. It all looked promising when Badgers took an early lead in the 7^th minute, Harvey Mewis finding the top corner with a superb finish from 18 yards after a lovely exchange of passes with Mike Richardson. Unfortunately, Sheen won a corner in the next minute and equalised with the freest of headers on the six-yard line.

The visitors have always played neat passing football but have sometimes lacked steel, but on this evidence they have worked on this part of their game, and the three bookings they earned testified to their determination to break up play with an endless string of badly-timed tackles. So it was ironic that on one of the few occasions that Brockham were themselves guilty of such a challenge, and against the run of play after Badgers had taken the game to Sheen for most of the half, the trip was in the box and the Lions converted the penalty to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Brockham continued to work some openings in the second period but their play broke down too often around the box, and after 56 minutes Sheen added a third with a move that seemed to meet little resistance from the Badgers defence. Despite a more battling display than last week, in particular from man of the match Harvey Mewis who fought for every ball, Brockham missed out too often in the 50-50s and scarcely won a high-ball challenge from a corner or free kick all match. There are tough games ahead and the boys know they will need to improve if they are to compete in the league this year.

Squad: Dennis Rapson, Will Mahoney, Liam Ratcliffe, Matt Higgins (c), 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

AFC Wimbledon 6 - 0 Badgers U14A (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Brockham Badgers U14A’s relentless pursuit of a league win continues, but undiminished is their capacity for optimism. This was a sound performance against a superior team, with plenty of positives to draw on.

First of all, that’s the home and away games against the English champions out of the way.  Secondly, the Premier Elite division already looks like two leagues within a league, with the teams around Brockham dropping points as regularly.  Thirdly, and most importantly, the Badgers game is improving slowly but surely.

Superlatives don’t do this side justice.  Wimbledon were dominant from start to finish.  Their first goal came within the first few minutes with an easy tap in at the far post following a cross field ball.  The second was not long coming as the black and whites struggled to handle the Dons mobile and muscular midfield. 

Brockham dug deep however.  Trying to press with three up front whilst limit chances at the other end by playing Justin Tarrant as a sweeper, they contained any significant goalmouth threats for a large part of the first half.  It didn’t last unfortunately as a smart one two and a quick turn in the box saw a Wimbledon striker snatch their third which was roundly applauded by both sides support.

A change to 4-4-2 with Simon Vakeva-Baird pushed centrally to act as a target man gave some food for thought for future encounters with lesser opposition, but against this side it had minimal impact.  Vakeva-Baird was winning the ball more regularly for Brockham and his first touch on occasions received deserved praise from the opposition management, and Sam Lloyd’s marking job on the Wimbledon number 8 presented an enthralling spectacle of passion versus skill.

The combination of all the small percentages in craft, movement, patience, organisation, strength, and technique however added up to a chasm in scoring potential.  Wimbledon grabbed three more goals of equally impressive craft in the second half leaving Brockham to grasp at one further means for optimism – over the two legs, they’re still the only team in the league this season to score against the Dons!

Lad of the Match:  Justin Tarrant

Report by Jason Rabbetts

Roffey Robins 0 - 6 Badgers U9 Barbarians (Horsham and District League)

The heavy rain of the previous night gave way to perfect conditions on a large Roffey Robins pitch, which was perfectly suited to the hard-running, passing game of Brockham Badgers U9 Barbarians.

Having been pretty much dominant in all five of their previous games this season, the  Badgers were in no mood to let their standards drop. From the outset, superiority was established on the solid defensive foundations of Ben Austin and later Huw Morgan in goal, and Jethro Burton and William Glenn in defence. In midfield, captain Tom Ambrose and Lily Turner kept the opposition chasing the ball with their excellent positioning and distribution of the ball. Particularly pleasing was the fact that the team proved that the goals can come from several positions, and that they do not have to depend solely on one player to put the ball away.

The first goal came after only four minutes, Lily Turner passing from deep on the left to striker Arun Watkins on the left corner of the penalty box. Neat footwork took Arun passed two Robins defenders before he hit the back of the net.

Badgers did not have long to wait before their second. A penetrating ball from Jethro Burton on the halfway line found Lily Turner on the edge of penalty. She side-stepped to the left then fired high into the net for her second of the season.

After nine minutes, player-of-the-match Arun Watkins earned the reward for his constant movement and harrying of the Robins’ defence, claiming his second goal from four yards out.

3-0 Badgers halfway through the first and prospects did not improve for the Robins as Huw Morgan came on in goal and top-scorer Callum Holder joined as second striker. Dominance of possession continued, however the team had to wait until the second half to add to the scoreline.

Robins’ second-half kick-off was intercepted by live-wire Callum Holder, now pushed forward to the most advanced striking position. Callum stole the ball from his opposite number and laid it wide to Ben Mackenzie who returned it to an advanced central midfield position for collection by Tom Ambrose. The latter cheekily passed through the advancing defender’s legs to Callum who shot from just inside the area low into the left corner of the net. 4-0 and another rout on its way.

Still no joy given to the Robins by defenders Glenn, Burton and Austin, all three immaculate in defence, leaving Morgan in goal with little to do.

As busy as ever, however, was Lily Turner who, intercepting a Robins throw close to the halfway line, moved the ball on to Ben Austin whose quick ball to Callum Holder on the right corner of pen area was followed by a dribble past 3 Robins defenders and a shot high into net for his second.

The match won, it only remained for Callum Holder to complete his third hat-trick in as many games. Big-man-at-the-back Jethro Burton cleared up a Robins free-kick with a long clearance to Holder on the goal-line left of the of pen area. A few steps to the right and a chipped shot into the right hand corner. Six for the Badgers today, eighteen in six matches, and the team goes from strength to strength, showing that hard work plus ability is an unbeatable combination.

Man of the Match: Ben Mackenzie

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

Report by Frank Holder

Badgers U12A Blues 6 - 1 Storrington Vipers (Horsham and District League B)

Badgers impressive form rolls on and on


First Half
Right from the outset this game looked congested, with the ball being
tracked and followed around the field by packs of players from both
sides. There was little space for anyone to take control and settle
into disciplined play. Brockham were clearly the more dominant team
but were not allowed to dictate the pattern of play in the opening
period.


The visitors did begin to breakthrough and test the Vipers keeper,
who seemed a mite bit unassured of his own touch. Turner almost made
the most of a keeper error in the 5th minute but his shot went wide.
Both sides went into attacking mode and it looked like the first goal
could come from anywhere. On 20 minutes the deadlock was broken when
a fairly safe ball was dropped from the Vipers keeper's hands. Close
by lurched Turner, who seized the opportunity with speed, rounded the
goalie and banged in the first goal. 1-0.


The Badgers are never content to sit on a lead and stole forward
looking for more goals. Soon after the kick off Dogansoy and Watson
combined well on the left wing to worm their way through the homes
sides defence and cross for that man Turner again, to knock a ball
past a standing keeper and into the net. 2-0.
Brockham had found their wings and two minutes later they rushed once
more at Storrington. Turner whipped over a cross, that was met by
Watson, running into the area, to belt in number three from close
range. 3-0.
The half was drawing down when Brockham's persistant waves of attack
brought yet another goal, when Dogansoy fired through a packed
penalty area. The goalie could not stop the shot and the ball flicked
into the net. 4-0.


Second Half
A re-shaped Brockham were caught unaware in the first few minutes, as
Storrington ran at them with gusto. The hosts were rewarded for
their endeavor in the 3rd minute, when their attack picked up an
untidy clearance to fire back an impressive shot into the goal, that
left the Badgers defence flat footed. 4-1.


Storrington were fighting their way back and beginning to open up
some gaps in the normally tight Brockham defence. The Storrington
defence were also coping with Brockham's own surges forward.
The Badgers pushed on and on, and 14 minutes they won a corner. Potts
attempting a good long range shot that was saved.


The away side began to pile on more pressure and on 20 minutes Teague
and Potts produced a run and cross that slid across the goal mouth.
Turner was first to the ball and from only 2 yards out he made no
mistake with his shot. 5-1.


There were some neat exchanges between the Brockham players and
Teague went close with a well aimed shot. Their defence was now
looking more confident but they were taken by surprise in the 25th
minute. Storrington propelled themselves to the edge of the Brockham
penalty area, where an unmarked forward struck a fantastic shot. The
ball flew past the keeper and rattled the bar, but fortunately for
Brockham bounced away to safety.


The action continued in the same vein for the last 5 minutes. Donegan
went close and with time ticking away Turner produced some truly
inspired footwork down the left wing to open up the Vipers defence
for one last time. There were only seconds on the clock as Purcell
and Teague kept the pressure on in the danger zone for Storrington.
When the ball landed at Potts feet, he determinedly netted the last
goal of the day. 6-1.


Man of the Match: Rufus Watson


Squad: Kemal Dogansoy, Jamie Donegan, Daniel Killick, 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