A comfortable victory for the Badgers saw them secure top spot in Epsom & Ewell Division Three for the first time this season. With several key players absent from the team the result was a testament to the quality of players the Badgers have at their disposal this campaign.
A blistering start saw Badgers score twice in the first minute of the game. Callum Holder received the ball from the kick off, skipped past four Oxshott players, and fired into the top corner of the net for a breath-taking goal. Fans debated if they would see a finer goal all season, however within seconds of the restart Luke Page regained possession and produced a carbon copy of Holder’s goal beating four players and the Oxshott keeper with a fine finish. With Oxshott stunned by such a dramatic start Badgers looked to pile more misery with Page hitting the post on five minutes before finishing a wonderful passing move from inside the Badgers half, Lily Turner providing the defence splitting pass for Page to score .
Badgers flooded up field for more goals with Page hitting the post a second time from a long range effort. Oxshott survived the onslaught and a counter attack left Badgers outnumbered in defence for an easy tap to make the score 3 – 1 at half time.
Oxshott started the second half brightly, requiring two important interceptions from William Glenn in defence. Oxshott continued to push forward sensing an opportunity to get back in the game but this was short-lived thanks to a smart Badgers move resulting in Holder bagging his second goal of the game. Captain Bailey Osborne stifled the Oxshott attack and broke out of defence laying the ball off to Turner. With one touch Turner put Holder through on goal for the type of opportunity he relishes to put the Badgers 4 -1 up. Badgers continued to make a series of opportunities without adding to their score, Holder, Turner, and Page combining time and again to create chances for each other.
A smart save from goalkeeper Joshua Snow propelled Badgers in to attack once more; crisp passing between Ben Austin and Page on the edge of the Oxshott area set Page for a long range effort which flew in to the top corner of the Oxshott goal for him to complete his hat trick.
Oxshott grabbed a consolation goal two minutes from time to end the game 5 -2. With Badgers on top of the league they have a two week break from action before facing Oxshott’s A team in the cup.
Players of the Match – Luke Page, Lily Turner, William Glenn
Brockham Badgers – Joshua Snow, Bailey Osbourne, William Glenn, Ben Austin, Lily Turner, Luke Page, Callum Holder
