Brockham Badgers U11 - Old Walcountians Tournament

The Old Walcountians tournament was a welcome opportunity for the boys to cut their teeth on the 9 a-side rules and pitches.  The team went to the tournament full of hope for the new season and eager to play on the bigger pitches.

 

In a six team league format there would be no room for errors.  The games were six minutes each way meaning the first goal would be vital.

 

Brockham Badgers v Twickenham Sharks

 

The badgers had a long wait for their first game.  And for a very brief spell Twickenham passed the ball around nicely and had The Badgers pinned back.

 

A breakaway on the left started by Lucas Woolley and ending with him striking a superb shot was The Badger's first real threat.  It was the save of the day.  It was great to see Lucas back in black-and-white stripes.  His running, tackling and shooting were even better than the fans could remember.

 

This set the tone for the rest of the game as Brockham got closer and close to scoring but just couldn't quite get the goal.

 

Zain looked very composed at the back.  He intercepted well and his passing was spot on.  He looks ready to have a terrific season.

 

Henry Lucas was exemplary as ever, reading the angles like an Oxbridge Geometrist.  Henry seemed two moves ahead of the opposition and was able to set up a lot of attacks by cutting out the through balls.

 

Despite many chances Brockham couldn't find the net.  The team just ran out of time.

 

Full Time: Brockham Badgers 0 Twickenham Sharks 0

 

 

Brockham Badgers v Kingswood Falcons

 

Brockham started where they left off.  They applied all the pressure in the game but the new offside rule began to bite.

 

Debutant Lucas Collins had a great start to his Brockham career.  Reminiscent of Didier Deschamps, Lucas was the ultimate team player: covering any holes at the back; supporting the striker; making all the right decisions for the team.  You could feel the team growing in confidence and Lucas had a big part to play in it.

 

Morgan held the right back position really well.  The coaches' 4-3-1 seemed like an inspired formation and Morgan's strength and running was helping to make it work.  He gave everything down the right flank and had the opposition pinned back.

 

Adam Bower slotted in at left back and put in a very disciplined performance.  He kept his defensive duties and never stopped hassling the man he was marking.  Adam also brought his left foot into play with some excellent crosses.

 

The Badgers were unlucky with an offside decision or two but once again they ran out of time despite dominating.

 

Full Time: Brockham Badgers 0 Kingswood Falcons 0

 

 

Brockham Badgers v AFC Old Walcountians

 

Brockham needed a bit of luck after controlling their first two games but now they'd be up against the hosts.

 

Josh Oram, another new signing, showed some great vision and awareness with his passing.  Josh looked like a polished performer who looks likely to score lots of assists in the coming season.  He started this game in fine form.

 

Alfie Carson was committed and full of running for his team mates.  Strong and decisive  in the challenge, Alfie looks like he'll be giving a lot of strikers sleepless nights this season.

 

The goal we needed eventually came.  Adam Bower and Lucas Woolley were all over the opposition and when the ball finally broke for George Lees he made a tricky finish look easy.  George had run his heart out and was using his strength really well.  His keeping had been without a fault and his outfield play was skilful and effective. 

 

Badgers might have had more but were happy to get their win.

 

Full-Time: Brockham Badgers 1 AFC Old Walcountians 0

 

 

Brockham Badgers V Oxshott Royals Colts

 

Oxshott needed a draw to win the tournament.  They were the favourites going into the tournament and were always considered to be the team to beat.

 

While Oxshott started well it was only a matter of time before Jack Duncan, The Badger's Iron Man, ran them down.  Jack was superb.  Once he got a grip on the game he wouldn't let it go.  Jack made sure that The badgers slowly took over.

 

Ezra Charles had been a whisker away with headers and shots in the previous games and was determined to score.  With chances coming and going Ezra kept to the task.  Nice close control saw him link with Lucas and Lucas again and again.  Eventually it was great work by Lucas Woolley who crossed the ball for Ezra to come in at the back post and slot home.

 

It all looked to be going Borckham's way until the team were caught out looking for the second goal.  Oxshott found themselves through on goal with Toby Evans with no chance of catching their striker…

 

But somehow he did catch him.  Toby had a fine game and a great tournament.  He saved the day with tackles.  He played intelligently throughout.  Always in the right place.  A constant nuisance to the opposition's man on the ball.  And always looking to pass and hold his position.  And when the final whistle sounded the boys had a lot to thank him for.

 

Full-Time:  Brockham Badgers 1 Oxshott Royals Colts 0

 

 

A little bit of maths later and Brockham were proclaimed the winners.  It was a deserved victory for the players, who came together as a team, and the coaches, who got their tactics right every time.

 

First week of September and silverware already I the cabinet!  Get in!

 

Match Report: Jason Charles

Squad: George Lees, Morgan Hamilton, Lucas Woolley, Jack Duncan, Henry Lucas, Zain Khan, Toby Evans, Josh Oram, Ezra Charles, Lucas Collins, Alfie Carson and Adam Bower

 

RE: Brockham Badgers U10A 2 - 1 Worcester Park Colts U10A (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division, Under 10s)

 

Worcester Park turned up in a very positive frame of mind and passed the ball around a Brockham side that appeared to be half asleep. For the first 15 minutes Brockham had to defend in numbers to stave off the relentless pressure from Worcester Park, until Will Timmons at left back for Brockham struck gold. Timmons, half way in his own half, controlled the ball, looked up and seeing the keeper off his line lifted the ball over the keepers head to put Brockham in front, against the run of play. Critical saves by Brockham Keeper, Huw Morgan, kept Brockham’s lead intact at the half way point.

 

Brockham came out in the second half and started to look like the better team. Conan Torpey hit the post for Brockham and Huw Morgan continued to work his magic for the home side. Harrison Watts scored his first goal for The Badgers will a well taken finish to make it 2-0, but the game was not won. Worcester Park never stopped pushing forward and were rewarded with goal 10 minutes before full time. A tough game for Brockham but they managed to grind out a result, something they failed to do last season and with 9 points from their first 3 games they couldn’t have wished for a better start to the season.

 

 

 

Man of the match – Huw Morgan

 

 

 

Report by Rick Russ

Brockham Badgers Barbarians 4 - 0 Molesey Juniors U10 (Epsom and Ewell League, Division 3)

Snow helps keep a clean sheet on the Big Field

It was a hot sunny morning when Brockham Badgers Barbarians U10 team welcomed Molesey Juniors to The Big Field for their Epsom and Ewell League encounter.
Molesey won the toss and kicked off but Brockham were soon in control with Arun Watkins and Bailey Osborne both pushing forward the attack.
After twelve minutes of pressure, Brockham's effort paid dividends. Ben MacKenzie pushed forward and made a stunning long range shot, the Molesey keeper parried the save but only managed to clear the ball to Brockham's Watkins who coolly converted. 1 – 0 to Brockham Barbarians.
Brockham's defensive line-up of William Glen and Tom Ambrose were making light work of repelling the Molesey attack, however a goal mouth scuffle saw Josh Snow bravely dive onto the ball to keep a clean sheet for Brockham as they approached half-time.
The half-time team talk from Brockham's coaching team of Holder and Watkins must have been right on the money as Brockham returned to the field with renewed determination to press home their advantage. At nine minutes a breakthrough came as Brockham's Lily Turner passed to Callum Holder who pushed forward and made a clean strike on the edge of the area to place Brockham 2 - 0 ahead.
Molesey broke back quickly and a free kick was awarded on the edge of Brockham area. A powerful strike looked certain to give Molesey some hope when Snow made a spectacular save pushing the ball over the top left hand corner.
With five minutes left, Brockham started to look like they were in control when Ben Austin made a break down the left wing passing to Callum Holder who struck at a sublime angle to net his second. 3 – 0 to Brockham.
Only one minute later Brockham were again on the attack aiming to pile more misery on Molesey as they could see the game stretching beyond their reach. Another Holder strike saw a deflection from Watkins towards Turner as she gracefully steered the ball into the back of Molesey goal.
The final whistle came to Molesey's relief with the score at 4 – 0 to Brockham Badgers.
Man of the Match: Josh Snow
Brockham Badgers: Thomas Ambrose, Ben Austin, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Bailey Osborne (Capt.), Josh Snow, Ben MacKenzie, Lily Turner, Arun Watkins
Match Reporter: David Ambrose