Their progress continues but the points are still in short supply. Brockham Badgers U14A put on a robust performance against the Wandsworth outfit and a draw would have been a fairer reflection of the game. Brockham had numerous opportunities to score but failed to finish any of them off. Wandgas were limited to two or three good chances and made it count with one which ended up being enough.
It’s a measure of the Badgers’ improvement that they were far from embarrassed and unlike in early stages of the season when they would have been bullied, bossed, and off the pace, if anything they looked like the team with the edge and the composure.
The game was very open and with a three man front line full of power and pace the black and whites fancied their chances. Their width and speed on the break was worrying the Gas back line and on several occasions Jordan Martin and Joe Silver were able to break the lines and drive at goal. Good defending however thwarted them at every attempt.
Wandgas were seeking to exploit pace on the flanks as well and when a goal kick reached their right winger he drilled a ball down the line for their forward to run onto. Two touches took him inside and past his marker and with his third he met the ball sweetly with his laces and leathered a dipping shot on the run over James Rabbetts in the Brockham goal.
An enforced change at half time saw Jack Coppin pushed up into left midfield whilst captain Simon Vakeva-Baird dropped into the centre of defence. Both excelled in their changed positions. Vakeva-Baird looked composed and in total control, thwarting through balls and advancing forward to link up play well. Coppin was terrorising their right back and put two excellent crosses into dangerous areas, each of which was hastily hacked away to safety.
The Gas went very close on one occasion and if weren’t for a reaction save from Rabbetts their lead could have been doubled. A lofted cross from the right was met with a powerful header from their number eight which came back off the post to his feet for a second attempt. His fierce shot was goal bound but Rabbetts got a foot to it and it rebounded once again off the upright but this time to safety.
Brockham continued to put pressure onto the Wandgas back line and forced several corners but despite each being well attacked the opposition keeper was well positioned to collect. Martin had three promising runs snuffed out by some excellent defensive pressure and try as they might nothing was rolling for the Big Field boys.
At the final whistle it was a disappointment that they got nothing from the game but once again they competed and on another day it could have been a different story.
Lad of the Match: Simon Vakeva-Baird
Report by Jason Rabbetts
