Brockham Badgers U16s took part in their third annual tour to Hampshire at the weekend, this time the tour marking an end of an era as the squad will not be together next season as the Horsham and District league does not have an under 17 league.
Organised as usual to an exemplary level by tour organiser Alan Atkinson, the team played two games, both against teams in the top Southampton and district league. Coach Nick Torpey managed the squad of 13 players, who came from both the A and B squads.
The first game on the Friday afternoon saw Brockham play Calden Common, at Fleming Leisure Park , Eastleigh . A very even match saw Brockham’s use of subs the decisive factor on a warm afternoon, Calden only fielding a bare 11 players. Stephen Kehl took advantage of a mix up between a defender and the keeper to roll the ball home, Henry Hill made it 2-0 with 10 minutes to go. Calden did pull a goal back in injury time to put a fairer reflection on the scoreline
The next day, Brockham played Eastleigh FC Academy U16s, second in their league and already having won two cups this season. The Academy feeds into Eastleigh’s first team, currently in the conference south and with designs to push into the full conference, and from the off at the University of Southampton playing fields Eastleigh showed their class. Brockham chased and closed down well but inevitably, Eastleigh were able to break through, scoring severel times towards half time on an immaculate surface.
Coach Nick Torpey was pleased with the effort shown in a 90 minute game as Brockham never stopped, but some fine long range strikes and team moves saw Eastleigh ease to a comfortable win.
The squad were then invited by Eastleigh FC to watch the conference south game vs Ebsfleet as guests of the club to round off a great tour for the boys and parents alike.
Henry Smith was named as player of the tour.
Squad: Connor Mitchell, Henry Smith, Joe Parker, Jack Hunt, Tom Bletso, Will Bletso, Josh Caldwell, Ben Wright, James Stone, George Corfield, Henry Hill, Stephen Kehl, David Atkinson
Report by Bryan Bletso