Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians 6- 2 Molesey Juniors
Badgers U10 Barbarians maintained their impressive start to the season with a convincing away win against Molesey Juniors to place them third in Epsom & Ewell Division Three, just a point behind the leaders.
Molesey enjoyed the majority of early possession without threating the Badgers goal. A series of quick fire counter attacks from the Badgers almost opened the scoring with fine work from Ben Austin on the right of midfield creating chances for Callum Holder and Lily Turner.
Molesey were unable to keep Badgers at bay for long as two goals in as many minutes put the Badgers firmly in control of the match, Lilly Turner creating for Callum Holder to open the scoring on ten minutes. A superb break- away goal starting from a great save from goalkeeper Joshua Snow ended with Badgers captain Bailey Osbourne netting his first goal of the season. Just before half time another counter attack from the Badgers saw Holder on the score sheet again converting his own rebound after the Molesey keeper made a good save from his initial shot.
Early in the second half Badgers found themselves outnumbered in defence allowing Molesey to get back in the game with a goal, stern tackling from Badgers defenders William Glenn and Ben Austin prevented Molesey from adding to their score.
Badgers required a driving force to put them back in the ascendency and this came from midfield general Arun Watkins who was instrumental in Badgers scoring three goals in quick succession. Watkins displayed his range of skills in a single move by winning the ball in midfield with a fine tackle; beating a man before sliding an inch perfect through ball to Ben MacKenzie who was denied by a fine save from the Molesey goalkeeper. Seconds later another Watkins pass found Holder, on a hat trick, with only the keeper to beat which he expertly converted to restore Badgers three goal advantage. Holder added his fourth and Badgers fifth a minute later with another fine finish.
The strong team spirit which exists in this Badgers team was personified by Holder who set up an easy tap in for Turner when faced one on one with the Molesey keeper to give the Badgers a 6 – 1 lead. A late Molesey goal did not mar another fine Badgers performance which sets them in good stead for a series of away games in the coming weeks.
Men of the Match: Ben Austin & Callum Holder.
Squad: Joshua Snow, Ben Austin, William Glenn, Bailey Osbourne, Ben MacKenzie, Arun Watkins, Lily Turner, Callum Holder