Another solid performance from Brockham Badgers U15A took their unbeaten run to five. Despite the solitary goal, this was a convincing victory for the Badgers who dominated possession and chances. Another highlight was the developing defensive unit of Jack Coppin, Simon Vakeva-Baird (c), Justin Tarrant, and Oli Gout, keeping a clean sheet and rarely presenting the opposition with any clear cut chances on goal, where James Rabbetts was an almost passive contributor to the game.
Once again Sam Lloyd, Luke Brightman, and Lewis Wood, set the tone for the match in midfield. They set about pressing and passing with sharp movement from the start. This made the work for Brockham’s defence that much easier and enabled them to co-ordinate their shape and build from the back when required.
Joe Silver and Jordan Martin added a cutting edge with width and pace on either flank, whilst Oscar Cremmen’s intelligence in the front line brought them both into play and helped link up some intricate moves with central midfield. This was drawing the Manorcroft defense out and opening space behind them for Silver and Martin to exploit which they did to good effect, fashioning two or three solid chances in the opening fifteen minutes.
It was Lewis Wood who opened the score and settled the game with his first competitive goal of the season and what turned out to be the only goal of the game. Manorcroft conceded a free kick 20 yards from goal which Coppin dropped in behind the defensive line. Three Brockham players beat the off-side trap and were on hand to take advantage when the Manorcroft keeper palmed the ball away. The visitors defence had not responded as quickly and any one of the three black and whites might have scored. It was Wood that took his chance though with an intelligent nod with his head across the keeper when delaying momentarily for the ball to drop to his feet would have been potentially intercepted.
George Gomes continued the good work in midfield when Lloyd was rested for a patch but the game deteriorated in the second half as clumsy and silly challenges rattled in and resulted in three booking for Manorcroft players who ended the game with ten men. Luc Jhugroo and Tom Hampshire stepped in mid-way through the second half to add some fresh momentum and see the game out for a well deserved three points.
Man of the Match: simon Vakeva-Baird and Justin Tarrant
