Brockham Badgers U15A produced their best display of the season to deservedly draw against the current league title holders AFC Wimbledon.
Badgers were boosted by the debut of striker Eb Isiakpona, the ex AFC Wimbledon player doing very well in his first game for the team, holding the ball up well in his sole striker role, and constantly proving a thorn in the side of his former team mates.
The draw was built on a very solid performance from the Brockham defence, Will Bletso and fellow centre back Matt Higgins again faultless at the back, winning countless crucial tackles. In the middle of the pitch, Josh Brown was a real midfielld dynamo, while Mike Richardson was back to his commanding self. Out wide, Harry Ramsey and Jack Wylie looked comfortable, while keeper Tom Wells commanded his area well as Badgers kept the dangerous Wimbledon team largely at bay.
The first half saw Badgers roll up their sleeves and match Wimbledon in all areas, only once did Badgers defence's concentration break, a Wimbledon striker squirming through several tackles which forced the striker wide, Wells blocking well at his near post.
As the first half neared its end, it was Brockham who gained the upper hand, twice going close from corners.
All square at the interval, and Brockham came out in the second half still battling away, with neither side creating any clear cut chances. The only time Wimbledon were able to break free, 20 minutes into the half, AFC showed their quality by snatching the lead, a cross from the AFC right being headed home.
It was rough luck on Brockham, in a season where the squad have not had the rub of the green, but to their credit, Brockham kept going. Subs Alex Nicholson, Frankie Routledge and Liam Ratcliffe injected fresh legs into the team, and with 12 minutes to go, Brockham got their reward, a corner seeing the ball fall loose in the penalty area, Will Mahoney reacting the quickest to power the ball home.
A save by Wells from a free kick kept Badgers ahead, and Brockham had several half chances of their own, but a draw was a fair result.
This was the first point Brockham have taken from AFC Wimbledon in the three years the two sides have played each other, and perhaps the game will give the side the boost to secure some much needed wins in their remaining games of the season.
Report by Bryan Bletso
