It was a cold windy morning that blew Brockham Badgers into Ewhurst for their game on Saturday. On a regular size pitch, but with larger goals than Brockham are accustomed to, we witnessed what has come to be known as "a game of two halves".
For much of the first-half a subdued Brockham were mostly absent in midfield. There seemed little bite, no support and on many occasions the midfield seemed to be playing in front of the forwards.
Morgan Hamilton kept Brockham in the game as Ewhurst hit shots from around the edge of the area. Morgan was the best player on the pitch in that first half. But even he could not keep Ewhurst out forever. Eventually one had to go in and it was hard to see where the reply would come from. Even so…
George Lees was making good progress down the right. George battled hard and his feet were like a couple of pieces of flint being rubbed together. He tried on many occasions to cross the ball but was often thwarted by two or three defenders at a time. He really was a danger man and Ewhurst had to be on their game to keep him out.
Ezra Charles was frustrated in attack by lack of service and finding himself having to work further and further back to compensate. He did eventually manage a trick or two to find Adam Bower who finished well at the far post.
Then something very subtle happened that seemed to galvanise the team. Oliver Yeates was on for Ezra and working well at bringing the ball out from the back. When one of his acclaimed passes was picked off by Ewhurst Oliver Quigley went to recover it. Oliver Q showed a determination, relentlessness in the tackle and a will to succeed that we had not seen before. He won the ball, played the pass and was making an angle for the return.
The whistle blew just as the tide was turning…
Half-Time: Ewhurst Rams 1 Brockham Badgers 1
The second half couldn't have been anymore different than the first-half. There were no clouds in the sky but it was suddenly raining goals. Adam Bower sewed up a hat-trick with some excellent finishing. Adam is developing a trademark swivel at the far post for crosses coming in from the right. He certainly did the trick on Saturday.
Oliver Yeates helped himself to a hat-trick too. Oliver was now running though with the ball and setting up goals. He even gave one to Ezra he could have easily taken for himself. Now that's some team player.
Ezra completed a hat-trick of hat-tricks for the Badgers. Morgan Hamilton got the goal he'd been looking for and deserved. Late on Joe Allen scored a screamer to rival Jack Duncan's spectacular drive from last week. The ever-dependable Toby Evans scored a well-deserved first for the A-team too. And Henry Lucas set up wave after wave of counter-attacks
Again, Oliver Quigley caught the eye. His goal was sandwiched between the other twelve in the second half but it stood out for the way he got it.
Oliver gracefully skipped past a couple of defenders to get into the box, was dispossessed but then won it back again; nothing was going to hold this boy back. As defenders sought to block, tackle and harry him away from goal Oliver did not give up. He showed strength and character and a belief in himself that was a joy to watch.
Oliver's goal was all about grit and physical strength. He would not be denied. And the determination he showed which seemed to ignite The Badgers earlier on was rewarded with a fine individual goal.
Full-Time: Ewhurst Rams 1 Brockham Badgers 13
Man of The Match: Oliver Quigley (He's shown us great skill all season, on Saturday he showed bravery and commitment too – a fine performance)
Squad: Morgan Hamilton, Joe Allen, Henry Lucas, Toby Evans, Oliver Quigley, Adam Bower, Oliver Yeates, Ezra Charles and George Lees
Report by Jason Charles
