Barbarians Back to Winning Ways!
After a couple of tough matches, Saturday’s match at Dorking Saints was an opportunity for the Brockham Badgers U9 Barbarians to show that they still had the confidence in their ability to take the game to the opposition. They did not disappoint.
Defensively the Barbarians had the security to play an ambitious game given the return after absence of Jethro Burton and no. 1 ‘keeper Huw Morgan to join the ever-dependable William Glenn. Indeed it was after only two minutes that a Morgan drop-kick down Callum Holder who glided past two opponents and shot into the far corner from just outside the area. The early lead settled the Barbarians into a comfortable rhythm and they played some beautiful football, spreading the play wide and resisting the temptation to hold on to the ball rather than playing to a better placed teammate.
The Barbarians dominated play, and were rewarded eight minutes before half-time. Jethro Burton played a ball up to Arun Watkins – outstanding in midfield – the latter pushing the ball wide to Ben Austin. Austin eased past his marker and from 15 yards out unleashed a pile-driver which left the Saints’ ‘keeper no chance. Goal of the season for Austin and 2-0 at half-time to the Saints.
Little for the coaches to say in the break, other than “more of the same”. However, shortly after the restart the energy of the Dorking team merited the equaliser they procured from short-range. This served as a reminder to the Barbarians that matches can be lost as well as won, and they quickly restored the two goal margin when Austin passed for the bursting run of Tom Ambrose, who steered home his second of the season. 3-1 Barbarians.
More free-flowing football then ensued. The sterling Morgan, Burton and Glenn swept up at the back, and in midfield the usual lung-busting runs of Lily Turner and Ben Mackenzie, and lightning pace of Holder kept the Saints facing their own goal. With five minutes to go, and ball out of defence from Glenn initiated a Turner-Watkins combination which set up Holder for a smart crack home from seven yards. To their credit the 4-1 deficit did not cow the Saints, and they were duly rewarded moments later by a free-kick equaliser.
Time still for Callum Holder to round things off by sealing another hat-trick; the force of a shot from five yards taking the ball through the hands and legs of the Saints ‘keeper and into the net for an amazing twenty-seventh goal in fifteen matches.
A well-deserved 5-2 victory for the Barbarians, the product of quick-passing, boundless energy and superb teamwork.
Player of the Match: Arun Watkins.
Squad: Lily Turner (c), Tom Ambrose, Ben Austin, Jethro Burton, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Huw Morgan, Arun Watkins.
Report by Frank Holder
