Brockham Badgers U15A put in another encouraging performance despite being on the losing end of an enthralling Surrey FA County Cup tie with auspicious Surrey Youth League Premier Elite division opponents Chipstead Youth.
The visitors arrived in confident mood but soon realised they were in for a match when both sides had chances in some early forays and Brockham were matching them for midfield steel, defensive organisation, and pace and width in offensive phases.
To be fair to the green and white hoops of Chipstead they probably edged the number of early chances but James Rabbetts was in fine form, denying them with two particularly fine saves. It was unfortunate therefore that it was a scrappy goal that saw the Badgers go behind after half an hour. A miscued clearance spun backwards toward goal off the top of a Brockham defensive boot, Simon Vakeva-Baird adjusted to clear but got a shout from Rabbetts for him to collect. The two collected each other rather than the ball and a Chipstead player tapped in gratefully from a yard out.
The lead was short lived. Justin Tarrant confidently cleared Brockham’s defensive line with a direct ball over the Chipstead defence and into an area Jordan Martin loves to burn into with his pace. Martin’s first touch was perfect. It took him past his marker and drew the keeper far enough out for Martin to get there first and poke the ball into the net. Occasionally, route one is beautiful. Game on.
The score remained locked at 1-1 until fifteen minutes into the second half. The Chipstead No.4 hammered a great half volley beyond Rabbetts for their second, and ten minutes later a series of opportunities to clear were missed by the Badgers and a poor third was conceded from short range in a goal mouth scramble.
Brockham then had a good period of possession and arguably the upper hand. Vakeva-Baird hit the cross bar with a header and then pulled off a finger tip save from the hoops keeper with a left foot drive from 20 yards. Sam Lloyd made an excellent run to the right and had the ball cleared the keeper from his cross Joe Silver was a standing beggar waiting for the tap in.
It wasn’t to be though and both teams put in a good display for Surrey youth football. Chipstead deserved the win and Brockham deserved the applause for their performance.
Man of the Match: Jack Coppin
