Badgers versus Albury has been one of the fixtures of the season for many seasons. Saturday's game was another classic.
Both teams gave no quarter in a sizzling first-half.
Jack Duncan and Henry Lucas were like a bullet-proof shield. Jack's distribution and clearances were superb. Henry brought the ball out from the back with confidence and skill. It was always going to be a hard game for the defenders and Henry in particular was the victim of a number of rough challenges.
Even so, Albury were still fizzing shots at goal. A number of times we waited for the net to ripple only for George "The Cat" Lees to stun us all with his acrobatic saves. George made a number of top quality saves throughout the game.
Toby Evans is starting to remind us of Patrick Vieira. He's always in the right place, strong in the tackle, never gives up on chasing opponents and works hard for the team.
Morgan Hamilton was defending well. He's a real all-round star for the team and his work at the back drew lots of praise from the parents on the sidelines. The Badgers really needed him and Morgan put in another fine performance. His team play was excellent.
Eventually Ezra Charles' hard work started to bring about a few chances. He'd worked hard making runs down the left and put in a few crosses that caused problems. Late in the first-half Ezra had a chance. Under pressure from the defender he didn't make the contact he'd have liked. On another day he may have won the penalty.
Half-Time: Brockham Badgers 0 Albury Ospreys 0
The second-half saw a virtuoso performance by the super-gifted Oliver Yeates. He was like a will-o-the-wisp gliding away from challenges and set up chances for others. At times it was breathtaking. Standing next to the substituted Morgan and Ezra later on their admiration of Oliver could be in no doubt.
Oliver was amazing and should take great heart from his dazzling display.
Brockham really took a hold of the game in the second-half and looked the more likely to score. But then a free-kick was dispatched into the top corner and Albury took the lead. It was a fine strike and George almost tipped it over.
George would go on to make some of the best saves I've ever seen at this level. It was without doubt the best goalkeeping performance seen over the last 4 years by and keeper. One save where he dived to his right seemed to defy the laws of gravity. Later on he made a double-save that was stunning. George was brave and in control. He threw the ball out quickly and also kicked it from his hands when he needed to.
Oliver Quigley did well when he came on. He continued from the previous week showing a bite in the tackle and a real determination. Oliver Q is improving every week.
We're all fans of The Two Olivers.
Adam Bower put in a number of runs and tackled hard for the team. There wasn't much to be had up front by this time. Adam gave it everything though and we all know there are more goals to come from this little dynamo.
Albury followed up with two more late goals for a deserved if flattering win.
Full-Time: Brockham Badgers 0 Albury Ospreys 3
Man of The Match: George Lees an unforgettable display of goalkeeping (Gordon Banks, Lev Yashin, Dino Zoff, Sepp Maier, Bruce Grobelaar, Joe Hart…who are ya!)
Squad: George Lees, Jack Duncan, Henry Lucas, Toby Evans, Morgan Hamilton, Oliver Yeates, Oliver Quigley, Ezra Charles and Adam Bower
Report by Jason Charles
