Brockham Badgers U15As continued their steady progress in the Surrey Youth League with another significant win in their last competitive match before the Christmas break. It was the first encounter between the teams which became evident when Molesey Juniors arrived in their black and white stripes to cause a bit of a dilemma. Clarity was restored however when the visitors kindly changed into their red away shirts.
Molesey were out of the blocks brighter, forcing several early corners and putting Brockham onto the back foot for most of the opening fifteen minutes. Two or three good chances for the reds were only foiled by another excellent shift between the posts for James Rabbetts and some very well timed challenges from Justin Tarrant.
Matters could have got worse for the Badgers when both Sam Lloyd and Oli Gout came off injured within minutes of each other, but their replacements Tom Hampshire and Brockham debutant Kieran Rice deputised magnificently. Then Luc Jhugroo came into midfield for Lewis Wood, and pushed up field to link up play with Jordan Martin who had come off the right and was now acting as a lone striker. The sticky pitch and long grass didn’t make the game much of a spectacle but Brockham slowly but surely applied their own game plan and as the first half developed the theme for the match was clearly set to be one with a tight finish.
The Badgers upped their game in the second half, pressing with more energy and changing formation to apply more pressure on the Molesey defence. Within five minutes the tactical change bore fruit. Martin who was now half of a two man attack with Lloyd, received a ball in the right channel. He turned his marker and drove to the byline where he delivered a perfect cross into the six yard box. Lloyd timed his run to perfection, but still had to muster a good deal of skill to volley the ball in full flight powerfully into the Molesey net.
The visitors were nowhere near out of the game, continuing to match Brockham in every position, so it came of no surprise when they equalised following some mesmerising skill from their No.12 in midfield and one or two missed opportunities by the Badgers to thwart his run. For the next ten minutes it was end to end stuff with both teams’ horns locked in pursuit of a winner, but the advantage was taken up once again by Lloyd for Brockham.
A darting run onto a through ball in the Molesey penalty area saw Lloyd ushered away from goal by his marker, Lloyds first touch invited the keeper out to collect but his second touch got there momentarily before the Molesey goalie who caught Lloyd’s heel and sent him tumbling for a penalty. Lloyd stepped up and buried the spot kick with confidence.
The game continued to ebb and flow and once again Molesey drew level shortly afterwards. Rabbetts was furious with his defence and midfield for backing off as touch after touch of the advancing Molesey boys were allowed to go unchallenged, concluding in a fine effort from ten yards.
With minutes remaining both managers were in two minds – go for the win or settle for the point. Brockham’s decided to settle for the point. The excellent Luke Brightman was asked to man mark the Molesey No.12, whilst Jack Coppin slotted in at left back to neutralise the pacey Molesey right midfielder who had been causing Oscar Cremmen problems all morning. Cremmen slotted into midfield and Brockham reverted to 4-5-1 with Martin switching to the left wing and Lloyd the target man. What was meant to be a shut up shop manoeuvre turned out to be the catalyst for the winner with Cremmen being instrumental in the build up through the middle for a wonderful through ball that split the Molesey defence and allowed Martin to use his pace and finish well.
The last two minutes were nervous times for Brockham as Molesey continued to pile on the pressure but the final whistle saw all three points go the black and whites way.
Man of the Match: James Rabbetts and Justin Tarrant