RE: Brockham Badgers U10A 2 - 1 Bookham Colts U10B (Epsom & Ewell League Cup, Premier and First Division)

 

Brockham secured their place in the second round of The Epsom and Ewell League Cup with a hard fought win against a spirited Bookham side. Brockham never looked like they were going to lose this game but Bookham frustrated the home team, not allowing them to convert possession and opportunities into goals. From the start Brockham applied pressure, forcing numerous corners and having numerous shots on goal. The first Brockham goal came from a pass by Sam Church to Joe Rabbetts on the left who went around the keeper and finished confidently. Bookham managed to get themselves back in the game through a well weighted shot from distance that found Huw Morgan off his line. The second half was full of attacking moves by Brockham but at the end of normal time it was still all square, primarily as a result of some great work by the Bookham Keeper. Brockham maintained the pressure in extra time and a corner from Ed Russ picked out Joe Rabbetts at the back post who headed the goal to spare the team and the crowd the pressure of penalties.

 

 

 

Man of the match – Joe Rabbetts

 

 

 

Report by Rick Russ

Epsom & Ewell Colts 1 - 1 Brockham Badgers U15A (2-4 pens)

A dominant performance saw Brockham Badgers U15A through to the third round of the Surrey FA County Youth Cup but not without a nail-biting match full of promise and frustration.  If Opta had been there it was 85% possession for the Badgers but despite this the Colts put up dogged opposition and in particular their goalkeeper’s man of the match performance kept them in the game throughout.

Epsom & Ewell went ahead early on.  A complacent start by the Badgers saw a lack of pressure on the ball allow a cross in from the Colts right.  It was met sweetly in the six yard box by their striker but parried by James Rabbetts in goal.  The second ball fell to a player in the blue and white hoops and crashed back into the Brockham net.

This shook the Brockham boys into life and for much of the match it was one way traffic.  The Badgers defence was occasionally breached but on each occasion Rabbetts was able to collect or match the shot.  With the ball camped in the middle and final thirds of the pitch and very much flowing in the Colts direction the black and whites attempts kept coming but nothing seemed to convert.

Some spectacular saves from the Colts keeper were matched by equally unspectacular finishing  by Brockham.  There were shots at the keeper, shots wide, shots high, the woodwork, two goal line clearances and a decent penalty shout.  Finally Jack Coppin rifled a great ball into the Epsom net from an acute angle following one of many Brockham corners and levelled the game shortly before half time.

The second half followed much the same pattern as that of the first.  Badgers dominated possession and with the exception of one or two opportunistic scares Rabbetts was very much a spectator.  Sam Lloyd, Jordan Martin, Joe Silver, and Simon Vakeva-Baird all went close but nothing would break for Brockham.  The siege continued and the Epsom & Ewell defences held strong right through to extra time and beyond to penalties.

The Badgers had already gone out on penalties to Epsom & Ewell in a League Cup 4-4 thriller three weeks before and were determined not to make the same mistake again.  This time the tables were reversed.  Justin Tarrant, Sam Lloyd, Oscar Cremmen, and Martin all finished confidently, whilst the hoops missed the target twice.

Brockham’s performances are improving and the team is getting back to full strength and fitness.  Confidence is key, and there’s a glimmer of that returning too.  It looks like the odd smile is coming back as well.

Man of the Match:  Luke Brightman

 

 

Oxshott Royals U10A 4 - 1 Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians (Epsom and Ewell Cup)

Oxshott Royals and Brockham Badgers Cup Clash
Oxhsott Royals are flying high in Division Two of the Epsom and Ewell League whilst Brockham Badgers currently hold the top spot in Division Three so this cup clash had the potential for a surprise or two.
Brockham fielded a defensive formation to contain their Oxshott and break quickly on the counter attack. Before Brockham could settle into this new formation, two quick goals from a penalty box scuffle and a long range strike saw Oxhsott take a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes.
Brockham regained their composure and started to find their form playing some trademark passing play with strong counter attacking down both wings. Ben MacKenzie, Lily Turner and Arun Watkins combined to test the Oxhsott keeper through the majority of the first half. With two minutes left on the clock Brockham conceded a foul just outside the penalty area, Brockham's wall of Tom Ambrose and Bailey Osbourne stood strong but a well taken strike saw Oxshott find the net and lead 3-0 at half time.
Brockham started the second half pushing hard to close the gap with Callum Holder forcing a couple of early saves from the Oxshott keeper. An Oxshott counter attack saw brave save from keeper Josh Snow as he dived to smother the ball to deny Oxshott a tap-in. Oxshott countered and against the run of play placed a cross into the box which was guided past the Brockham defence to put Oxshott 4-0 in front.
Brockham continued to press and although the hope of a draw was starting to fade, Brockham continued to press and create a series of clear chances forcing some fine saves from the Oxshott keeper. With five minutes left, a well-timed link up between Watkins and Turner saw a pass to Holder splitting the Oxshott defence enabling him to get a late goal.
The final whistle came with a score at 4 – 1 leaving Brockham to concentrate on consolidating their position at the top of the league.
Man of the Match: Ben MacKenzie
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