Badgers U9 Barbarians 1-1 Copthorne Youth (Horsham & District League)

After a series of excellent wins in which they thoroughly dominated slightly less gifted teams, the Barbarians learned the valuable lesson that against stronger opposition they cannot afford to forget that passing, movement and making space are the weapons that win games.

Through the excellent efforts of Ben Austin in goal, William Glenn, and player of the match Jethro Burton, the Barbarians were again very secure in defence, As ever, Lily Turner, Tom Ambrose and Ben Mackenzie worked hard to gain possession in midfield, and thus with the team’s usual firm foundation of the greater share of possession it seemed that an improvement on September’s draw away at Copthorne would be forthcoming.

In more advanced positions, however, a tendency to over-play the ball and ignore opportunities to give the easy pass to a team-mate in a better position saw the team create fewer genuine scoring opportunities than usual. Work needs to be done to recognise that whilst the team has players who are very skilled on the ball, such skills are valuable in escaping the attentions of opponents in tight spaces but wasted unless the ball is passed on to better placed colleagues before possession is lost. This was particularly evident after 15 minutes when Copthorne were allowed to break up Badgers’ midfield possession and take the lead.

Nonetheless the usual hard-running of Ben Mackenzie and Callum Holder, along with the close control of Arun Watkins kept Copthorne occupied to the extent that they created little further goal threat. Taking the opportunity to display his considerable dribbling skills, Huw Morgan showed how he presents a selection dilemma, being strong outfield in addition to being the squad’s most talented goalkeeper.

With time running out, it seemed that Badger’s might incur there first defeat of the season. Nervous spectators continued to give their usual vocal encouragement, and the team continued to press for the equaliser. After some close calls, the deadline was finally broken when Arun Watkins played a hard low cross into the area from the right wing, leaving Callum Holder with the simple task of cracking the ball home from close range.

Whilst the equaliser was deserved, given their dominance of possession, the team will know that failure to meet their usual high standards of passing in this contest lead to the creation of fewer chances. To preserve this season’s unbeaten record they will need to take this lesson into their next match, which will be an equally hard encounter with Heron Way against whom Badgers drew early in the season.

Man of the Match: Jethro Burton

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

Report by Frank Holder

Albury Eagles 5 – 1 Badgers U10A (Tadworth Primary League)

Over the last two seasons Brockham Badgers have shared the spoils with Albury Eagles.  A heavy pre-season friendly defeat suggested that Albury have really pushed on and become a formidable outfit.  Unfortunately, for The Badgers, this suggestion prove to be true.

The early going was nip-and-tuck.  Both sides passed their way around the pitch.  Jack Duncan was busy breaking up Albury's attacks and distributing the ball to Brockham's midfield.  Oliver Yeates, Morgan Hamilton and Oliver Quigley played some quality football but Albury were always quick to surround the man on the ball, isolate him and then take possession for themselves.  Again and again we would see three Albury players attacking the man in possession.

Despite this Oliver Yeates was able to make room for himself.  He made a number of runs and played some quality balls through to the attack.  Somehow though the ball just wouldn't quite sit up for Adam Bower to finish.  There were some genuine threatening moments and on another day these chances might have well presented themselves.

Morgan Hamilton put in some fine challenges but was hurt by what appeared to be a moment of retaliation.  Morgan needed some time on the sidelines to recover...

The game moved on.  When The Badgers moved the ball around quickly they were able to build and sustain attacks but too often players were holding onto the ball too long and were sucked into cul-de-sacs and blind alleys.

Henry Lucas was on form with some great defensive work.  He worked well with Jack Duncan and together they kept Brockham in the game.   Albury are a real quality side though and switched the play from one wing to the other with real success.  They were able to create the better chances and their shots were getting closer and closer.

George Lees made some excellent first-half saves but the quality of Albury's shooting saw them go in two goals to the good at half-time.

Half-Time: Albury Eagles A 2 – 0 Brockham Badgers A

At the beginning of the second half there was genuine optimism among the travelling supporters that Brockham really weren't out of the game.  Simon and Mick shuffled the pack and Jack Duncan took the gloves whilst George Lees went up front.

Albury brought on a target man for the second half and it immediately paid dividends when a long ball over the top was poked home.  It was an accomplished finish by the big striker.

Brockham found their rhythm soon after though and Oliver Yeates combined to play George Lees through.  We all know George has a very powerful shot but this time he played a killer first-time pass to Ezra Charles who slotted home to pull one back.

Albury were much more direct and Brockham were soon pushed right back.  The strikers became isolated and Brockham were unable to pick up their football.

Jack Duncan made a number of excellent saves.  His positioning and handling were first class.  By now Joe Allen had the measure of the target man and was spirited in the tackle.

To their credit Brockham maintained their football philosophy.  Jack's quick throws set off the players in motion but Brockham were thwarted over and over by Albury's tenacious midfield.  When they did get through Ezra Charles, George Lees and the two Olivers made some openings but they couldn't capitalise on them.

A long punt from the Albury keeper brought about the fourth, whilst the constant pressure on the keeper's throws eventually made the fifth goal.

It was the right result but a harsh score line.  Brockham Badgers can take home a few lessons as well as some success from the game.

Full-Time: Albury Eagles A 5 – 1 Brockham Badgers A

Man of the Match:  Jack Duncan. Great all-round team player (Bryan Robson on the pitch, Pat Jennings between the sticks)

Squad: George Lees, Henry Lucas, Jack Duncan, Joe Allen, Oliver Quigley, Morgan Hamilton, Oliver Yeates, Ezra Charles, Adam Bower

Match Report by Jason Charles

Brockham Badgers U12A 2 - 3 Saint Hill Blues (Frank Giess Memorial Cup)

Badgers stutter to a halt in the cup.


First Half
This was a cup match with plenty of competition from two accomplished
and high scoring teams. The first ten minutes consisted of a battle
for authority with very little room in the tight formations of play.
Brockham looked to be getting the better of things and produced the
first moment of danger when Tiley chased a ball up front, but his
attempt was saved.


The play began to open up and on 10 minutes Tiley again gave chase to
another through ball, but to no avail. The action immediately
switched to the other end where a St Hill corner was cleared by
Warne. Two minutes later the visitors won a free kick on the edge of
the area. One of their strikers calmly placed the ball, then
thundered in a hard and accurate shot that stunned the Badgers
defence and flew into the net. 0-1.


The players hardly had time to catch their breath when on 5 minutes
Brockham also won an edge-of-area free kick. Teague took his time,
whilst the wall positioned itself. The striker belted in a peach of a
shot that looped the St Hills defence and keeper to hit the net and
draw the teams level. 1-1.


The Blues picked themselves up and came back at Brockham, putting the
pressure on but their offensive was being held in place by a resolute
Badgers defence. They did go close when a shot whipped in from the
wing went narrowly wide, and after a series of corners Brockham
keeper Wheeler pulled off an important save with 8 minutes left to
play for.


Every advantage was having to be fought for but there was also some
lovely touch and run football being played. The energetic pace
continued and with only 2 minutes of the half remaining Brockham's
Warne stole the ball from a midfield opponent and surged forward. His
determined run took him past defenders and his shot was only going to
have one outcome, as he banged it into the net. 2-1.


Second Half
Both teams have formidable attacks and the second half kicked off in
the same attacking mode as the first. There were 4 corners in the
first 4 minutes. In the 2nd minute a Teague-Turner duet cleaved the
Blues defence and created a chance for the hosts, but Tiley's well
hit shot was parried to safety by the away side's keeper.


Purcell, Lane and Killick were keeping a strong strike-force in check
and managed to propel the Badgers forward out of danger but St Hillls
were still pushing hard.


On 8 minutes Wheeler produced another fine save to keep his side in
it and straight away Brockham replied in kind, as Tiley had another
shot thwarted by the keeper. Six minutes after that Teague's
confident shot was also saved well. This was a purple patch for goal
keepers.


Despite the persistence of St Hills the game seemed to be going well
for Brockham, until they were stunned by a double whammy midway
through the half. In the 21st minute The Blues won a corner and the
cross was cleared only as far as a visitor's forward. He delivered a
shot that curved over everyone and into the goal. 2-2.


There was more pain to follow, when seconds later St Hills launched
themselves down the wing, catching Brockham out. Another shot was
crossed over the Badger's back line and again fell behind the keeper,
and into the net. 2-3.


Brockham fought on and produced some opportunities but it was
difficult against a well-drilled side like St Hills. 5 minutes after
the last goal, Thomas ran onto a forward ball but his shot was saved.
With only 3 minutes left we saw a Brockham push result in a goal-line
clearance by St Hills and Teague made a last ditch attempt in the
final minute but Brockham eventually succumbed to their first defeat
of the season.


Full time 2-3.


Man of the match: George Warne


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


Report by Tony Watson

Guildford Academicals 4 - 2 Badgers U15A (aet) (Surrey County Cup Round 2)

Runners-up in last season's County Cup, Brockham Badgers U15A were 5 minutes away from advancing to Round 3 of this season's competition when a speculative long-range strike from a Guildford Academicals player took the game into extra time, whereupon the home side made the most of their late escape by adding two further goals to run out 4-2 winners.

The first half had been so encouraging for Brockham as they played some of their best football of the season. Following their 4-1 defeat to the same opposition on the same ground just a week ago, manager Simon Coffey decided to take the game to Guildford in fielding a bold 3-5-2 formation. For much of the first period the two teams vied for possession with neither gaining the upper hand, but on 33 minutes Badgers made the breakthrough when Alex Nicholson did well to work the ball to his strike partner Chris Brooks, who took it on and dinked it nicely over the keeper. Just a minute later, Harvey Mewis worked an opening and smashed a shot against the bar, but just before the break Nicholson once again set up Brooks who showed his blistering pace to burst into the box and finish well for 2-0.

A great end to the half but a poor start to the second as Guildford were gifted a goal back just 5 minutes in, and at this point went with three up front in search of the equaliser. Soon after, the influential Mewis limped out of the action having made a telling contribution in an unaccustomed central midfield role. Nevertheless, the lively Nicholson had the ball in the net but was adjudged offside, and a series of chances to put the game out of reach came and went for Brockham as they showed their habitual poor finishing following some great passing moves.

More frustration followed in extra time as Guildford scored a third just 1 minute in, then Liam Ratcliffe went on a determined run into the box and put in a great shot – but the home side were saved once more by the crossbar. A second disallowed goal followed for Brockham, and Academicals added a fourth to kill the game off.

So it's 'concentrating on the league' time for Brockham but they can be proud of possibly their best display of the season. Special mentions for Will Mahoney who as usual was a rock at the back, Harvey Mewis and George Coffey who both added skill and graft to the midfield, and Chris Brooks who once again chased tirelessly for 80 minutes and scored 2 great goals.

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

Horsley U9A 5 - 3 Badgers U9 Assassins

A close and exciting first league encounter only two weeks ago between these teams set the scene for a coincidental cup draw that had the spectators drawing ooohs, exhaling aaahs, and roundly applauding both sets of players.

Brockham got off the mark quickly with a goal from Joss Hunt within the first minute.  A dangerous ball into the Horsley box was not cleared and what appeared an easy collect for the keeper was fumbled and Hunt was there to poach.  Brockham were two up within ten minutes when Joe Rabbetts found the net for the black and whites.  William Timmons had come deep to receive and played a wonderful raking pass into the feet of Rabbetts.  Under pressure from a Horsley defender he deftly dragged the ball back with his right, swivelled and buried it with his left.

Brockham looked as if they would take the two goal advantage into half time but shortly before the break Horsley pulled one back.  The Badgers were optimistic still and came out with the same level of effort and belief for the second half.  Horsley however had other ideas and with the bit between their teeth scored a scrappy equaliser very quickly.  This was followed by two further well worked finishes and an unfortunate fifth that was palmed into the path of their striker.

Brockham were not finished though.  Lad of the match George Wryde picked the ball up in defence and drove at the heart of Horlsey’s midfield.  Like a man on a mission he ploughed his way through and drilled a rocket of a shot into the keeper from the half way line.  The keeper failed to control the power of the shot and the crafty Sam Church was on hand to finish from a few yards.

Lad of the Match:  George Wryde

Match Report by Jason Rabbetts

Badgers U14A 1 - 5 Netherne Falcons (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Shell shocked is probably the best way to describe the opening ten minutes of Brockham’s match with Netherne.  It wasn’t the fact that the Badgers were 2-0 down within that time, it was the sheer size and strength of the opposition that had the spectators gawping and the players retreating from a rush of offensive tempo and power.

The Netherne side are a muscular outfit with at least ten of their squad matching Brockham’s tallest, whom until this season were seen as something of an exception.  However, they can play.  The black and whites gave themselves an uphill battle from the start by gifting the opposition a customary first minute goal.  The ball was worked well through the left side of midfield, and despite all their training to the contrary, Brockham gave the attacker too much space with which he took aim and buried from 15 yards.

Netherne’s second however was fortunate to say the least.  This time the ball was worked down the right from where a cross was put in from a tight angle.  The flight of the ball was abnormally affected by the spin it received on leaving the player’s boot.  It hung in the air forever and dropped out of reach of the Brockham keeper into the very far top corner of the goal leaving those on the touchline wondering whether it was intentional or fluke.  To their credit Brockham mustered themselves and held the score line for the remainder of the first half.

With so much muscle and height to contest with it was pointless playing anything other than the ball on the ground.  This is a strength of the Brockham team and so they came out for the second half with the intention of going for it, with a 3-5-2 formation. 

It worked.  Midfield were passing the ball around with good effect in possession, and worked well as a unit with the front men  Alex Flint and Jordan Martin when trying to regain it.  This gave time to bring some composure at the back which Simon Vakeva-Baird in particular was putting to good use in delivering balls for the powerful Jack Coppin who was looking more comfortable and dangerous on the left.  For twenty minutes they dominated and within ten were rewarded with a goal. 

A ball from midfield between the Netherne centre backs fed the pacey Martin.  He was forced wide by his pursuing defender but did well to deliver a sharp cross to Flint in front of goal.  The Netherne keeper got there moments before but the pressure of Flint’s approach forced him to fumble.  With great vision and composure Flint dragged back the ball and cushioned it into the path of the on-rushing Coppin who placed it wonderfully under the recovering dive of the keeper.  Game on.

For a further ten minutes Brockham were the better side, but gradually the opposition’s greater fitness and athleticism made its mark and the Badgers’ tiredness in pursuit of competing took its toll.  In the final ten minutes Netherne bagged three more.  The signs of improvement are there though.  There were moments of real quality from the black and whites that can be built on.  As their fitness improves they’ll close the gap again.

Lad of the Match:  Justin Tarrant

Match Report by  Jason Rabbetts

Epsom & Ewell Colts 0 - 8 Badgers U11 Sunday (Surrey Youth League Premier Division)

The young Badgers clearly had a lot of energy to expend, having missed out on a match the previous weekend, however, they waited until the second half before finding their rhythm and then the goals flowed.  The first period was a lacklustre affair as they seemed to find it difficult to adjust to the pitch, which was narrower than they are used to. Joseph Issberner scored their only goal.

The second period was a different matter.  Brockham applied the pressure as Epsom and Ewell kicked off, forcing a free kick as a result of a hand ball.  Aidan Torpey stepped up and powered a shot at goal which the keeper couldn't hold, allowing Callum Agent to pounce and score Brockham's second.  Next a slick move up the left hand side saw a Max Austin pass to Agent steered to Justin Hurst in the middle of the box who notched up Brockham's third.  Hurst then turned provider.  Having trapped the keepers poor clearance he threaded the ball to Austin who needed no invitation to smash the ball into the back of the net.  Torpey was next to surge from defence, past a number of Epsom defenders, before firing to the right of the keeper whose outstretched hand could only deflect the ball onto the inside of the post and into the net.

Austin added his second, latching onto a long ball, speeding past a couple of defenders before stroking it past the keeper to give the Badgers their sixth. Another ball from mid field to Austin promptly resulted in his third.  There was then a chase by three Brockham players after a long clearance from their keeper.  Max Hill won the race to score Brockham's eighth.

It was pleasing to leave with a clean sheet, much down to the dominance of Alex Watts (man of the match)in defence, who ensured solid communication throughout the game.  Brockham will have taken valuable confidence from this encounter as they will no doubt meet stiffer competition from Epsom Eagles in a crucial league contest next weekend.

Squad: Callum Agent, Max Austin, William Conroy, Matthew Ford, Callum Glenn, Conor Gilmartin, Micheal Goff, Max Hill, Justin Hurst, Joseph Issberner, Natanial King, Aidan Torpey, Alex Wells, Alex Watts, Jack Wisbey

Report by Chris Hurst