Brockham U16s just had enough to overcome bottom club Copthorne on Saturday in a sluggish performance throughout the team. The win keeps Badgers in 2nd spot but 5 points behind leaders Dorkinians with only 2 games to go.
The game had started well for Brockham as Aaron Clark found Stephen Kehl with a through ball after just 2 minutes, Kehl’s shot just having enough power to steer the ball past the advancing keeper. That should have been the signal for Badgers to push on and secure a comfortable win, the home side without a win this season, but for some reason the expected onslaught never came. Indeed a quick break from Copthorne after 20 minutes caught Badgers short at the back, keeper Connor Mitchell doing well to push the initial shot away , but the Copthorne attack being quickest to the ball to slot the ball into an empty net for 1-1..
Copthorne were worth their equal status in the game at that point, and Badgers rather fortuitously retook the lead with what turned out to be the winner 5 minutes before the interval, Mike Carty’s long range shot bobbling just in front of the keeper, the ball rebounding off the keeper’s chest for Henry Hill to alertly push the ball across the box for Ollie Smith to score unmarked in the 6 yard box.
Brockham were slightly better in the second half and had several half chances to extend their lead, lad of the match Stephen Kehl doing well to constantly be a thorn in the side of the opposition’s defence, but the third Brockham goal would not come, and Copthorne sensed a surprise result. The final 5 minutes were tense for Brockham as Copthorne put pressure on the Brockham goal, but William Bletso made several well timed last ditch tackles to keep his team ahead, Brockham seeing the game out to claim the three points.
Squad: Connor Mitchell, Henry Smith, Joe Parker, Tom Bletso (c), Jack Hunt, Mike Carty, Ollie Smith, Will Bletso, Henry Hill, Aaron Clark, Stephen Kehl, Ollie Legg
Report by Bryan Bletso
