First home game of the season was going to be a big challenge. Milford Pumas were top of the league.
It was a bright start by both teams. Milford clearly had real talent among their ranks, with a never-say-die centre half and an ultimate-predator up front.
Brockham's defence struggled early on with their marking and coming to terms with the offside law. But it was Brockham who drew first blood. Oliver and Ezra played a one-two. Ezra headed it neatly down for Oliver to beat a couple of players and return the ball for Ezra to slot home.
Milford soon fought back. Their striker turned at the halfway line and ran directly for goal. Joe Allen did his best to put in the tackle but a delightful chip gave Freddy in goal no chance. One-one.
Henry, Toby and Morgan really gave Brockham some legs and some bite. They began to overwhelm Milford for a period. Then when Henry won a free-kick he lofted it perfectly into the box for Oliver to pop it home and restore Brockham's lead. The quality of dead ball deliveries from Henry and Lucas throughout the game was exceptional. Both boys' free-kicks and corners were fantastic.
Milford soon pulled it back to level pegging with another breakaway from halfway.
Half-Time: Brockham Badgers Black 2 Milford Pumas 2
The second half started all Badgers. Morgan was driving the side on the right and was unlucky when a header hit the bar. There was strong running throughout the game from Morgan who stamped his authority on the game. Lucas went close and made some fine runs down the left as well as some fantastic crosses.
It was a Lucas cross that eventually landed perfectly for Toby to smash in from close range. Toby, as ever, was the ultimate team player: running, tackling, making the right pass; Toby can do it all.
Before Milford tried to get back into the game but then Ezra wriggled past two defenders and beat the keeper with accuracy to give badgers a two goal cushion.
Then Milford really came at them.
Freddy was inspired in goal making saves he had no right to make. Joe and jack were a solid unit in the centre of defence. Morgan threw himself at every shot. Toby and Henry shielded the defence and blocked everything they could reach. Lucas ran down attackers and Adam made some outstanding clearances. It was a real team effort.
At times it seemed impossible that the Milford team hadn't scored, as wave after wave of attacks produced chance after chance. Then with Brockham totally under the cosh they managed a breakaway that saw Toby snathc his second and Brockham's fifth.
It was a flattering score-line, but the right team won.
Final Score: Brockham Badgers Black 5 Milford Pumas 2
Team: Freddy Gil, Morgan Hamilton, Lucas Woolley, Jack Duncan, Joe Allen, Toby Evans, Henry Lucas, Oliver Yeates, Ezra Charles, Adam Bower
Man of the Match: Morgan Hamilton (Defence won the day and Morgan was super committed and released the ball early)
Report: Jason Charles
