Copthorne 1 - 2 Badgers U16A (Horsham and District B League)

Brockham U16s just had enough to overcome bottom club Copthorne on Saturday in a sluggish performance throughout the team.  The win keeps Badgers in 2^nd spot but 5 points behind leaders Dorkinians with only 2 games to go.

The game had started well for Brockham as Aaron Clark found Stephen Kehl with a through ball after just 2 minutes, Kehl’s shot just having enough power to steer the ball past the advancing keeper.  That should have been the signal for Badgers to push on and secure a comfortable win, the home side without a win this season, but for some reason the expected onslaught never came.  Indeed a quick break from Copthorne after 20 minutes caught Badgers short at the back, keeper Connor Mitchell doing well to push the initial shot away , but the Copthorne attack being quickest to the ball to slot the ball into an empty net for 1-1..

Copthorne were worth their equal status in the game at that point, and Badgers rather fortuitously retook the lead with what turned out to be the winner 5 minutes before the interval, Mike Carty’s long range shot bobbling just in front of the keeper, the ball rebounding off the keeper’s chest for Henry Hill to alertly push the ball across the box for Ollie Smith to score unmarked in the 6 yard box.

Brockham were slightly better in the second half and had several half chances to extend their lead, lad of the match Stephen Kehl doing well to constantly be a thorn in the side of the opposition’s defence,  but the third Brockham goal would not come, and Copthorne sensed a surprise result.  The final 5 minutes were tense for Brockham as Copthorne put pressure on the Brockham goal, but William Bletso made several well timed last ditch tackles to keep his team ahead, Brockham seeing the game out to claim the three points.

Scoop Lad of the Match: Stephen Kehl

Squad: Connor Mitchell, Henry Smith, Joe Parker, Tom Bletso (c), Jack Hunt, Mike Carty, Ollie Smith, Will Bletso, Henry Hill, Aaron Clark, Stephen Kehl, Ollie Legg

Report by Bryan Bletso

Dorking U18s 1 - 3 Redhill (Southern Youth League, Southern Section)

Dorking U18s hosted Redhill U18s on Monday night, just 5 days after the corresponding fixture had resulted in a 2-2 draw at Kiln Brown.  Dorking had the chance to move into the top 3 with a win, but another slow start gave the team just too much to do, and although Dorking bossed the second period, the team had just given themselves too much to do to get anything from the game.

Manager Simon Coffey gave a debut to Brockham Badgers U16 keeper Connor Mitchell, Mitchell doing well in the step up to the higher level despite the defeat. Mitchell was unable to do anything about the sluggish Dorking start though, and a very poor team effort in the first period saw Doring 3-0 down at half time and with a mountain to climb.

A suitable half time team talk produced an instant response from the side, with Harry Lynn once more impressive at centre back, and Dorking came out a different team.  A Chris Thurgood goal made it 3-1 and really Dorking should have added to their tally as they created a series of chances which went begging, but Redhill held on to deny Dorking the comeback perhaps their second half display deserved.

Squad: Connor Mitchell, Ryan Butler, Nathan Crosbie, Harry Lynn, Ashley Smith, James Baker, Tom Coffey, Darryl Jeeves, Josh Clark, Mitchell Ward, Ryan Stewart
Subs: Jack Murrell, Chris Thurgood, Lewis Armstrong, Henry Warne


Report by Bryan Bletso

Worcester Park Colts 3 - 5 Badgers U9A (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division)

This match was a crucial bottom of the table clash with both sides requiring 3 points to move closer to safety. 

The game kicked off and there was some excellent passing football by both teams with the play switching from end to end. Brockham won a free kick just inside the opposition half and Ed Russ struck a marvelous shot which dipped under the bar to give Brockham the lead. 

Worcester Park started playing some flowing football, whilst Brockham seemed to lose their concentration and they were soon punished by a brace of Worcester Park goals. Some excellent goal keeping by Will Timmons kept Brockham in the game and, just before half time, a long throw delivered into the Worcester Park penalty area fell to Jos Hunt who finished well to make it 2-2 at half time.

Brockham Manager, Jason Rabbetts, brought on Archie Routleff and Matthew Chapman for the second half and made some positional changes which seemed to have a positive impact from the kickoff. Brockham started to dominate the game and George Wryde sprinted down the left, delivering a perfect cross for Joe Rabbetts to finish and give the away side the advantage. 

A further 2 goals by Ed Russ gave him a hat-trick and capped a really strong performance. Brockham conceded a soft goal a minute from full time but it was too little too late for Worcester Park and Brockham came away with all 3 points. 

Man of the Match: Ed Russ 

Report by Rick Russ

Badgers U14A 0 - 3 Spelthorne Sports (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Brockham Badgers U14A lost 3-0 to Spelthorne Sports this weekend but can be pleased with the general progress they have made in the second half of the season.

The Badgers industry and inter-play matched their opposition and for spells they enjoyed the larger share of possession.  Unfortunately it was goal scoring opportunities that were lacking this week.  Whilst well organised and looking far more solid than earlier stages of the season, the black and whites struggled to create any real threat on goal.

In all honesty Spelthorne were not doing particularly better but when chances came they put them away.  James Rabbetts in the Brockham goal had two outstanding saves at full stretch for the cameras but the three goals from Spelthorne were unstoppable and the only other chances they had.

Luc Jhugroo had an outstanding game in the centre of defence – his positioning and decision making in a different class.  Justin Tarrant worked tirelessly and Simon Vakeva-Baird again continued to impress on the left.  Brockham can be pleased that they no longer look out of their depth.  Yes they go into most of their matches this season as underdogs but now the opposition have to work very much harder to break them down.

Lad of the Match:  Luc Jhugroo

Report by Jason Rabbetts