Despite ultimately going down to a 3-1 defeat at home to strong league title contenders Wycombe Wanderers, Brockham Badgers U15A played their best game of 2011 and possibly their best of the season,
Determined to reverse a losing streak which has seen them concede 16 goals in 4 games since Christmas with only 4 scored, Badgers matched their opponents for long periods with a battling display which saw them come within 10 minutes of a deserved draw
Two late goals including a last-ditch penalty put paid to this but, playing into the wind on a very blustery Big Field, Brockham had gone in a goal up at the break, The pressure they exerted on their opponents paid off just before half time when a Wycombe defender saw his over-hit back pass from almost the half-way line beat the advancing keeper and find the net for a spectacular own goal. The visitors made amends 15 minutes into the second half with a well-taken equaliser, but thereafter Brockham fought manfully to retain parity.
At the back, skipper Matt Higgins and partner William Bletso were dominant throughout, particularly in the aerial battles, while Jack Wyllie put in a determined showing on the right flank and Harry Ramsey ran at pace at the Wanderers defence at every opportunity. Alex Nicholson again showed what a competent stand-in keeper he is, and in central midfield Mike Richardson and Oli Winter matched their opposite numbers with their most composed showing for quite some time. With eight games remaining, Badgers can take a lot of heart from this performance and be confident of a push up the table.
Squad: Alex Nicholson, Will Mahoney, Liam Ratcliffe , Matt Higgin (c), Will Bletso, Oli Winter, Mike Richardson, Harvey Mewis, Jack Wylie. George Coffey, Frankie Routledge, Harry Ramsey
Report by Bryan Bletso
