The Badgers were 10 seconds away from a first Brockham appearance in the Surrey Youth Cup final, however, a last ditch direct free kick found the net to allow Hook to take the match to extra time and progress to the final with a 4 – 3 win.
Having lost in the League semi final to the same team a few weeks earlier the Badgers knew it would be a tough ask. They were clearly hoping that playing at home on a wider pitch would be to their advantage. The tough ask got harder as they lost their captain, Will Conroy, to a boot in the head after just 10 minutes.
Having gone two goals behind in the first half, with Hook having most of the play, the second half was another story. Going down the hill Brockham persistently pressed the Hook defence and were rewarded with a brilliant goal by Joseph Issberner, who charged up the left hand side, rounded several defenders before blasting the ball into the roof of the net.
This really galvanised the Brockham team who were rewarded with two further goals to go 3 – 2 up with under a minute to go. Unfortunately, throwing everything forwards, the Hook danger man up front burst through to the edge of the area where he was taken down. Hearts were broken as the free kick sailed high into the rook of the net to force extra time.
The Badgers found it difficult to reproduce their second half pressure as Hook fought to preserve their unbeaten record. Another surging attack earned Hook another free kick on the edge of the area. The Badgerss dreams were shattered as it again beat the keeper to give Hook the victory. The Badgers had just lost to the strongest unbeaten side in the Premier Elite Division. It was by the narrowest of margins and will undoubtedly give them confidence for their next encounters with Premier Elite opposition.
Squad: Callum Agent, Max Austin, Finn Campbell, William Conroy, Jack Wisbey, Thomas Hemming, Alex Wells, Aidan Torpey, Natanial King, Tom Phillips, Alex Watts, Joseph Issberner, Justin Hurst, Harry Fairley, Callum Glenn
Report by Chris Hurst