Dorkinians U16 made it honours shared for the season with a revenge win over Brockham to make it one win apiece in their head to head league games following Brockham's win in the other league fixture two weeks ago.
The game was played between the current top two teams in the division, Dorkinians going into the game 3 points ahead of Badgers, but Brockham having the chance to overhaul their local rivals and possibly land the title with a big win, depending on other results.
However, a big win for Brockham never looked likely on the day and the outcome was a deserved win for Dorkinians who were sharper throughout, especially in midfield. Brockham will though be disappointed with how they played in what was their last league game for the club, as the performance was well below what they are capable of.
Goals either side of half time from set pieces were Brockham's undoing, while at the other end, Brockham were unable to take advantage of some good opportunities, particularly in the first half.
The win takes Dorkinians a step closer to the title, but that depends on other results going Dorkinians way.
Scoop Man of Match: Will Bletso
Squad: Connor Mitchell, Henry Smith, Joe Parker. Tom Bletso (c), Jack Hunt, Charlie Holmes, Mike Carty. Ollie Smith, Ollie Legg, Will Bletso, Stephen Kehl, Aaron Clark, Henry Hill
Report by Bryan Bletso
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Sunday 3 April 2011
Old Coulsdon Colts 2 - 1 Badgers U9A (Epsom and Ewell Premier Division)
An excellent football spectacle from both teams went the way of Old Coulsdon Colts as they notched up a 2-1 win against Brockham Badgers U9A at the Big Field on Saturday. There were two very different footballing philosophies on display but each created an enthralling match to watch. Brockham played the ball out from the back and liked to spread play wide when in possession. The Colts approach was more direct and central but equally as effective with some skilful young lads up front and in midfield.
An early attempt on goal in the opening minutes saw Old Coulsdon take the lead. A long goal-kick sailed over the Brockham midfield and was allowed to bounce to the feet of the Colts forward line. For most watching there was little danger and a lot still to do but the sprightly striker hit it first time with technique and purposeful direction, tucking it beautifully into the corner of the Brockham goal from 15 yards.
Most of the remainder of the first half was end to end stuff but the defensive pairing of Sam Church and William Timmons was showing real promise for the black and whites. It gave Matthew Chapman in goal the confidence to play out from the back and numerous attacks were built by the pair whilst they also broke down the Colts own marauding runs with impressive composure and guile.
The second half saw Edward Russ come on for Joss Hunt, pushing George Wryde out to the left and Joe Rabbetts switching to the striker’s position. The impact was instant. A jinking run using both feet from Wryde ended in a pin perfect left to right pass across the face of goal. Rabbetts had timed his run perfectly and poked the ball in to level the game and notch his fifteenth competitive goal of the season.
Wryde, Rabbetts, Russ, Knowles, and Routleff all went close, and Chapman had to pull off some fine saves to keep Old Coulsdon out as well. As the minutes ticked by it looked destined for stalemate but a moment of genius from the Coulsdon boys sealed it. A ball in another innocuous position was met sweetly on the half-volley by the Colts left midfielder and everyone watched in awe as it arced over defence and keeper alike to bury itself in the top of the Badgers net. If there was ever a goal to lose to in the last minute, that was it.
Lad of the Match: Matthew Chapman
Report by Jason Rabbetts
Netherne Falcons 3 - 2 Badgers U14A (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)
What a breathtaking match. It had its share of incident and controversy, culminating disappointingly in a last second goal to break the Badgers hearts.
Brockham found themselves two goals down in the first half which, despite Netherne’s early dominance, flattered the hosts. Their first was a long ball over the top which the lively and impressive No.10 rolled past James Rabbetts in goal, having beaten the off-side trap. The second was worked to the left and struck low and hard beyond the diving Rabbetts from 10 yards.
Despite this Brockham were playing well and looked organised and composed enough to challenge a Netherne side who have found themselves in the Surrey FA County Cup Final for the second year in succession. Challenge they did in the second half. Flying out of the traps from the restart the black and whites pressed play impressively and forced the Falcons back into their half. The pace of Jordan Martin, Joe Silver, and Jack Coppin in a new 4-3-3 setup was also worrying the Netherne defence enough for them to sit much deeper.
This gave the midfield trio of Sam Lloyd, Lewis Wood, and the impressive Simon Vakeva-Baird the space to find their passes. Working the ball centrally, Vakeva Baird flighted a pass over the heads of the Netherne central defence and beyond their right back. It fell invitingly for Martin who had made a darting run inside left but still had a lot to do. Cool as a cucumber he lofted the ball on the bounce over the keeper to halve the deficit.
Ten minutes later Coppin delivered a similar deep and lofted ball into the same rampaging path of Martin. The bounce this time was much higher and harder to control, particularly with the Netherne keeper charging down his throat, but once again Martin delivered the goods and levelled the game at 2-2.
An air of real togetherness and confidence now ran through the Brockham team and before long their third was in the net. Another ball from central midfield was this time played through the middle early. Silver was flagged off-side prematurely as the ball fell to Martin. His follow on pass however brought Silver into play and despite his good finish, which Martin was claiming as he crossed the line with the ball, and despite the referee indicating a goal, a pause in play to consult his linesman concluded in the goal being disallowed for Silver’s earlier infringement.
Brockham stuck to the task though and looked to have seen the game out for a good point. Deep into injury time though, their hearts were broken. The Badgers conceded a corner, their manager asked to make a substitution. The official waved it away explaining that as soon as the ball was cleared the game was over anyway. The ball swung in and was cleared by a Brockham defender for another corner. Everyone expected the whistle but another corner was allowed which was buried by the tall Netherne striker with his head. The Badgers took the centre kick and full time was blown. Heartbreaking, but a fabulous spectacle and a real demonstration of Brockham spirit.
Lad of the Match: Simon Vakeva-Baird
Report by Jason Rabbetts
East Grinstead Meads 7 - 1 Badgers U16B (Horsham and District D League)
Brockham Badgers U16B Last Ever League Game
For many of the lads the game represented the end of a 10 year stint with Brockham Badgers.
Their last season with Brockham has been a successful one, the season seeing the team win 4 and draw 4 of their league matches, with Ollie Curtis completing the season as the leagues second highest goalscorer, just 1 goal from winning the league golden boot.
The lads have shown good dedication this season, despite exam and other distractions, with midweek training being well attended, and competion for match day places keen between the 17 man squad.
With agreement from East Grinstead, already D league champions going into this game and without a defeat all season, Brockham included all 17 of their squad for their last game rather than the regulation 14 allowed by the league, East Grinstead doing the same.
For 30 minutes Brockham were on top playing good passing football, Curtis giving Badgers the lead on the half hour mark, good work from Dan Hoad putting Curtis through, his clinical shot making it 1-0.
However the good work was undone with a lapse in defensive concentration which saw the league champions score goals either side of half time as they used the long ball to good effect on a small pitch they knew well.
Brockham kept going second half, rotating the squad to see all players get equal game time, the result always being secondary as Badgers played out their final game time with flair to end their stint with the club.
Squad: Jack Whetnall, Will Sprange, Sam MacFarland, Dhilen Patel, James Stone, Stefan Issberner, Dex Bass, Josh Hook, David Atkinson, Dan Hoad, Josh Caldwell, Ben Wright, Luke Prior, Ollie Curtis, Elliott Austin, Max Ruff, Johnny Bryer
Report by Bryan Bletso
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