Brockham Badgers U11A 2 - 1 Old Coulsdon Colts

A thoroughly professional performance by Brockham Badgers U11A rewarded them with a deserved 2-1 victory versus Old Coulsdon Colts at the Big Field this weekend.

An early shock saw Brockham concede in the first five minutes.  Until that point the Badgers had settled well and the Colts had not shown their teeth.  However, a brilliant shot from outside the box that dipped into the top corner deserved to go in.  It was a wonderful goal following some goal mouth pressure that saw a defensive clearance roll to the edge of the area where the OC’s midfielder was lurking and drilled home despite a full stretch lunge from Huw Morgan in goal who could have done no more.

The Badgers showed great maturity from the restart.  They remained patient and continued to try and play good possession football.  Whenever the ball was won the team built from the back and looked very threatening from both wide positions.  When Sam Church broke up Coulsdon possession in a deep midfield position, he took two touches forward and with his third drove a grass cutting pass through the centre of the Colts defensive from right to left.

The good off-ball running of centre forward George Wryde drew a defender with him and it seemed he would pick up the early pass and drive towards goal, but instead he intelligently elected to allow the ball to go beyond him following a shout from Joseph Rabbetts who was bombing down the left.  Seeing the danger of an unmarked Rabbetts approaching the OC’s keeper came off his line to narrow the angle but Rabbetts deftly guided the ball beyond him with his first touch and levelled the game.

Brockham continued to go about their game with great balance and intent.  The interchange of defensive and midfield positions between Sam Church and Louie Darlington, and particularly between Luke Page and Owen Knowles was very encouraging.  Then came the Badgers’ goal of the season contender.  Knowles advanced from midfield beyond the half way line as the Coulsdon defence retreated.  Spotting the runs of Wryde and Rabbetts he lofted a ball into the space between central defence and the OC’s right back to where Rabbetts have continued his run.  As the ball dropped Rabbetts opened his body and from a tight angle and under pressure hit a Van Basten like volley with his left across goal and inside the far post.  Unbelievable.

Brockham continued to exert control and could have added to their tally with Callum Holder and Wryde both going close.  Equally OCs rallied and for a period looked good for an equaliser.  However, the Badgers held on in the right way rather than through luck and panic, and finished 2012 with a valuable three points to keep them in contention with the league leaders.

Man of the Match:  Joseph Rabbetts

Brockham Badgers U16A 3 - 1 AC Fulham

Arguably a game of two halves but more like a game of phases, where at times Brockham played some of their best football ever, and at others some of the most lackadaisical and naïve.  On balance however the better football won through and Brockham rolled out deserving 3-1 victors.

Badgers started confidently passing the ball around with composure, but within 5 minutes got a wake-up call when the pace of AC Fulham gave Luc Jhugroo and Chris Parsons a test in central defence which they responded to with consummate ease.  This helped the Badgers relax and for the best part of the first half they sprayed the ball around with assurance and they were rewarded when some great passing and off the ball movement gave Michael Cheeseman a fantastic chance that he put away with his favoured left.

Alex Bevis was having an excellent game at right back and exploited the generous space in front of him that Fulham were affording, allowing the impressive Jordon Martin to push up almost as a second striker. Bevis’s pace and inter play with Martin was some of the best of the season and creating space for others in the team to exploit. The move of the match came following a training pitch switch of play when Bevis crossed the ball from half way on the right with pin point accuracy out left to find the chest of Michael Cheeseman, who the laid off the ball to Sam Lloyd, onto Jordon Martin whose shot was deflected for a corner.

Despite Brockham’s dominance, James Rabbetts played his part in goal.  On several occasions Fulham picked counter attacking opportunities when Badgers were committed forward or when their passing went through phases of poor quality.  Fulham’s pacey forwards bore down on goal but Rabbetts was always quick to respond and advance from his line to snuff out the danger expertly.

A rare return to seasons gone by for Simon Vakeva-Baird playing wide left was bearing fruit also.  He was a real threat in the first half and a 35 yard shot in the second half would have proved a wonder goal of the season had it not come off the crossbar.  However, he was rewarded when he tucked away Brockham’s second following some excellent destructive break up work from Lewis Wood in midfield which led to the Badgers’ other midfield warhorse Sam Lloyd delivering Vakeva-Baird’s assist.

The second half kicked off with Fulham making a clear statement. Badgers were pushed back into their own half and Fulham were not going to take this game lying down. Badgers’ defence was much busier in the second half and Rabbetts had a lot more to do than he expected. Brockham were committing too many players forward and allowing the pace of Fulham to run at an unguarded and unsupported defence, which led to them conceding and Fulham getting themselves back into the game.

The next goal was going to be key and fortunately for the Big Field boys it fell to Jhugroo to put the game out of AC’s sights.  Jack Coppin and Joe Silver now paired on the left were destroying Fulham with their pace and had forced corner after corner.  With ten minutes to go another corner was conceded by Fulham.  The delivery was perfect.  Jhugroo first attempt struck the keeper but he buried the second.  Brockham locked down and closed the game out for a deserved victory.

Man of the Match:  Luc Jhugroo

Stoneleigh Athletic 1 - 1 Brockham Badgers U11A

The Alamo comes to mind.  Brockham Badgers were by some distance the superior team and should have scored a hat full had their finishing been more clinical.  Instead they had to settle for a draw following a Joseph Rabbetts penalty conversion and a Stoneleigh equaliser 30 seconds from time.

Brockham dominated from the start and should have been two up within five minutes when both Rabbetts and the powerful front man George Wryde forged themselves excellent chances following good build up play from Sam Church and Callum Holder on the right.  But Stoneleigh’s keeper was having an excellent game and saved well on both occasions.

Brockham then won a penalty but the otherwise faultless Luke Page failed to convert when the Stone’s keeper made another impressive save to turn the ball around the post.  With the disappointment still fresh in the minds the Badgers remarkably won another penalty when Holder’s jinking wing play was brought to a halt with a late challenge.  This time Rabbetts stepped up and was also denied by another magnificent save but managed to convert the rebound to give the black and whites a more than deserved lead.

It is no exaggeration that just about every Brockham player on the pitch was denied in some way by the performance of the Stoneleigh boy between the sticks.  Darlington, Knowles, Ed Russ, and Page all should and could have scored, and even Will Timmons, Lilly Turner, Harrison Watts, and Church got involved in goalmouth action from defence.

It was inevitable therefore that despite such clear dominance and as time ticked by something was going to upset the applecart.  And so with less than a minute left on the clock a Brockham goal kick was picked up in midfield by Stoneleigh, quickly switched to their left where the Stone’s winger hit it first time and placed a beauty over the retreating and otherwise unchallenged How Morgan in goal.

Brockham’s keeper felt the pain only keepers can feel.  But there was nothing he could do.  The team had played excellently from Morgan to the forward line.  It was a great strike and just one of those days.  Unfortunately for Brockham it was the second one of those days in as many matches!

Man of the Match: Sam Church

Stoneleigh Athletic 1 - 5 Brockham Badgers U16A

Brockham met the third opposition team this season to wear the familiar black and white of the Badgers, but despite having to wear orange bibs in the first half before away shirts arrived, there was no distracting the Big Field boys from the task. 

Brockham dominated possession from the off and should have had a two goal lead within the first fifteen minutes, but instead went a goal behind for the first time this season.  To be fair, the goal had to be applauded.  It was unsaveable.  Advancing down the left flank the Stoneleigh number 10 was well marshalled inside by George Gomes.  However, Brockham discovered the bright striker was equally adept on his right as he was his left.  Running across goal from the corner of the eighteen yard box he let fly with his right and placed the ball perfectly between up-right and cross bar, giving James Rabbetts no chance despite his admirable effort in managing the faintest of touches at full stretch.

The response from Brockham was superb, equalising within five minutes with an excellent move.  Gomes won the ball at right back and scampered forward before playing a pass into space for Joe Silver to run onto.  Silver used all his pace and guile to beat the Stoneleigh left back and deliver a brilliant ball across goal that Michael Cheeseman met with a fierce left footed strike from ten yards out, notching up his sixth of the season.

Stoneleigh were in no mood to roll over however, time and again using their playmaking number 12 to good effect, particularly down the left where they were starting to find space.  A tactical change switched Jordan Martin in front of Gomes to thwart any further luck and Jack Coppin came onto the left to starting using the opposite channel that had been largely unexploited by Brockham.  The impact was immediate. Sam Kandalft found a yard with his neat footwork and with great awareness put the ball between full back and centre half on Brockham’s right.  Martin picked the ball up and delivered an awkward ball that Coppin scooped in from close range in a goalmouth scramble.

Two minutes later another short range goal was finished off by Chris Parsons.  Stoneleigh conceded a corner which Sam Lloyd half scuffed short to the near post where Parsons had positioned himself and was first to react.

Half time saw Chris Bevis replace the excellent Gomes and Simon Vakeva-Baird slot into midfield for Kandalft.  Both were immediately involved in Brockham’s next goal.  Bevis played a ball into the right hand channel from his defensive position which Vakeva-Baird ran onto and applied enough pressure for the Badgers to win a corner only minutes into the second period.  Cheeseman put in a dangerous dead ball which was cleared with a defensive head from the near post.  It dropped on the edge of the Stoneleigh box where Martin was circling for prey.  He thumped a powerful right footed shot goalward which took a fortunate deflection and sent the keeper the wrong way, gifting Brockham their fourth.

The next twenty minutes were a little disjointed.  The black and whites were hoping for a cricket score and started to lose a little discipline.  Balls were punted forward in hope rather than with intent, and play was disrupted a little with subsitutions as the Badgers rested a few tired legs and rotated the bench.  When they did play to plan however things happened, and probably the best example was the build-up play to Brockham’s fifth and arguable best goal.

Oscar Cremmen fed Coppin on the left who chipped the ball into an advanced left channel position for Cheeseman to chase down.  Cheeseman was herded to the touchline but managed to wriggle past his marker and dart toward goal on the limit of the pitch boundary.  He pinged an incredibly flighted ball across goal which Martin flew through the air to meet at pace and volleyed almost taking the net off with the power of the ball.  Brave and fantastically well timed with intricate and determined approach play.

Despite the Badgers’ ruthless forward play, the defence deserved great praise for their shape, discipline, and particularly their constantly improving communication with other, from goal keeper all the way across the back line.  It was a deserving Oli Gout therefore that was awarded man of the match for his exemplary contribution at left back.

Brockham Badgers U11A 1 - 1 Leatherhead Youth

Brockham Badgers U11A found an early Saturday morning break in the rain to beat the weather and play their local derby with league leaders Leatherhead Youth.  Both teams played well and put on an enthralling match of high quality to compensate for the damp conditions.

Brockham edged the first half with good possession, Louie Darlington and Owen Knowles in particular showing great awareness and composure to control the game from central midfield.  Leatherhead were frustrating their hosts however, particularly in full back positions where they did well to blunt what is normally very sharp wide attacking play from the Badgers. 

Brockham looked the most likely to score, both Callum Holder and George Wryde having a couple of decent chances each, and so it was the black and whites that took the lead shortly before half time.  Joseph Rabbetts received from Knowles and cut the ball inside and square to Wryde who had followed the play down the left.  Wryde struck a peach of a shot first time with his left, powerfully driving the ball over the advancing keeper with enough dip for it to fly under the cross bar.

The second half was also a close affair but Leatherhead began to exert more pressure.  Nathan Page and Huw Morgan’s performances in central defence and goal respectively were critical, and when called upon they delivered, giving Brockham enough to stay a nose ahead in the game.  Leatherhead hit the cross bar, Brockham hit foot of the post, Brockham then put the ball in the net from an off-side position, and the ball narrowly avoided crossing the Brockham line when Leatherhead whipped it across goal without a touch from the crowded area.

The last five minutes were nail biting, so when Leatherhead won a corner after a minute into stoppage time, the outcome was written in the clouds.  The first delivery was cleared for a second corner.  The second delivery cleared for a third.  When the referee indicated it was all over once the corner was delivered for a last time, Brockham parents couldn’t look.  The inevitable transpired.  The best delivery of all three corners put the ball into a dangerous area.  Morgan met the ball first but it dropped into the area where a scramble involving four players saw the final strike from a Tanner push the ball over the line for a last gasp equaliser.

Man of the Match:  Luke Page

Junior Bees 3 - 6 Brockham Badgers U11A

A stunning second half performance made up for a shocking first half for Brockham Badgers U11A to run out deserved winners away to Brentfords’ Junior Bees.  The Badgers had an excellent first five minutes, playing to plan and scoring an early opener when Joseph Rabbetts headed home an Owen Knowles cross.  But The Bees got themselves a lucky equaliser a few minutes later and Brockham resorted to the untidy route one tactics of their hosts and spent the rest of the half in a tailspin, conceding a second for good measure.

The second half was a very different story.  Edward Russ, struggling with a long-term injury, was replaced in the centre by Knowles who started to dictate the tempo of the game and orchestrate most of Brockham’s build ups.  The defensive line of Sam Church, Luke Page, and Will Timmons began to relax on the ball and pass out from the back, always keen to receive short from Huw Morgan in goal, who was relieved to have some distribution options at last.

This took a lot of pressure off the team who were now able to widen their shape in possession and exploit their most potent asset – their attacking threat on the flanks.  The second for the Badgers came from just such a move.  Sam Church won the ball in defence and played a wonderful ball into the right hand channel for Callum Holder, who proved a revelation in the second period.  His run to the by-line was finished with a pin point ball across the six yard box to the feet of George Wryde who finished first time with his left.

The black and whites had the Bees on the ropes now and sensed victory was within their grasp.  When Holder was released again down the right by Louie Darlington, he beat his marker again, ran into the space and delivered a lofted cross for Rabbetts to repeat his first with a powerful downward header into the Bees net for Brockham’s third.

Holder made it four to the good when his delayed pass intended for the run of the effervescent Wryde was misjudged by the Bees keeper and slipped through his legs.  Brentford grabbed a third for themselves but the momentum was all Badgers now and when another Holder cross whipped into the box, Page, driving forward from defence, buried it with an equally impressive header as Rabbetts’ earlier efforts.

Rabbetts finished the Juniors off with a cross come shot from the left that looped over the keeper and into the top far corner.  It was difficult to split Holder’s assists, Rabbetts’ hat trick, the game play dictation of Darlington and Knowles, Wryde’s bullying forward play, and the organisation of Brockham’s defensive unit in the second half, so no man of the match was named.  Instead the whole team walked off the pitch secure in the knowledge they had all played their part.

Brockham Badgers U16A 2 - 4 Kew Association Youth

What started brightly ended in disappointment as Brockham Badgers U16A were defeated for the first time this season in a 4-2 home defeat to Kew Association Youth.

Brockham were out of the blocks quickly.  Man of the match Sam Lloyd set up both early goals as Brockham took a two goal lead within the first ten minutes. Both were slide rule passes behind a lethargic back line, and finished excellent first by Jack Coppin, and then by Michael Cheeseman five minutes later.  Seemingly, the Badgers were cruising.

On fifteen minutes however, James Rabbetts was lucky to stay on the pitch.  The Kew striker had beaten the off-side trap and was bearing down on his 18 yard box.  Rabbetts rushed out to close the angle, and took the attackers legs from under him as he’d nipped the ball past the prostrate Rabbetts.  Had the fouled striker not immediately got up and distracted the referee with a tirade of verbal objections then Brockham would have been down to ten men.  Instead a free kick was awarded to Kew 20 yards from goal and the striker went in the book instead of the Badgers’ keeper.

Rabbetts saved well from the following set piece but Brockham were slow to react to the loose parried ball and Kew got their revenge from short range to narrow the deficit to just one goal.

There was a nervous ten minutes as Brockham steadied themselves but they controlled the game for large parts in the lead up to half time, but did start show worrying signs of things to come by losing the ball too easily in midfield and the defence standing too far off Kew players in possession.  Whilst the balance of the game to the interval was marginally in favour of Brockham, Kew were certainly not out of this match.

The second half began well enough for the home side.  Captain Sam Lloyd and his strike partner Cheeseman were leading from the front.  Both were running sometimes 30 or 40 yards to chase down the ball and put in strong tackles to ensure Kew had to fight for everything.  Unfortunately support from midfield and defence in transition was sometimes wasteful.  Winning the ball Brockham should have imposed themselves, instead they too often lashed a foot at a blind pass and gave away possession too easily.  When closing down play they too often dived into a tackle or allowed a player to turn and run, and the combination of profligacy and sloppiness punished them in the end.

Three goals in a twenty minute period put Kew ahead by two and Brockham were now chasing the game.  For the last ten minutes they were camped in the Kew half.  Joe Silver, Coppin, and Cheeseman were all menace as a top line but it was all too little too late, and Brockham can consider this three points wasted.

Man of the Match: Sam Lloyd

Brockham Badgers 5 - 0 Cheam Sports

From a neutral’s perspective it was clear to see within the first twenty minutes that Brockham held the technical advantage and should push on and win the game against their lower league rivals in this cup draw.  Yes, Cheam had the ball in the back of the net in the first ten minutes, albeit by virtue of a hand ball, but equally the Badgers should have scored in the first thirty seconds.

Despite their qualities however, Brockham were wasteful in possession throughout the first half.  Sam Lloyd had hit the post and Jack Coppin, one on one with the keeper, decided to make a simple finish difficult and shoot wide, but if the team didn’t start taking their chances and getting the game by the throat they could find themselves on the end of an upset.

Fortunately that was not to be.  The defence were steadfast in the second half with Christian Parsons and Luc Jhugroo looking rock solid at the centre, and James Rabbetts was having an excellent game with a couple of exceptionally good saves.  Sam Kadalaft conducted the midfield who held onto the ball and dictated the tempo, and despite missing both their first team strikers, Brockham made it count up front with man of the match Oscar Cremmen scoring a hat-trick from the number ten position.

His first was a simple close range nod in after getting on the end a corner from Sam Lloyd which followed an excellent shot at goal from Jack Coppin who had switched to the right and cut inside.  Simon Vakeva-Baird had worked tirelessly up top on his own all game and played a part in Cremmen’s second.  He nodded a high ball on from midfield and into the area between an on running Cremmen and an out-rushing Cheam keeper.  Cremmen was very brave sliding in and poking the ball into the net from ten yards before getting clattered.

Oli Gout, Alex Bevis, and George Gomes had switched shifts left and right of defence all day and were now starting to get some good overlaps working, finding space in wide positions and introducing a threat of their own.  It was Bevis who fed Lloyd from the right who lashed a shot at the keeper that was goal bound.  The shot was saved though and sent out for a corner which Lloyd took himself and who else but Cremmen was there to bundle the ball in from short range for his third.

If it was a day for the unexpected in a hat-trick for Cremmen then it was to turn surreal when Lewis Wood got himself on the score sheet – a rare event indeed.  Joe Silver hit a fierce shot after a twisting run from the right which was saved but not held.  Wood was on the move and arriving at pace he leathered a thunderbolt from fifteen yards that nearly took the net off.  He wasn’t going to miss this rare opportunity.

Vakeva-Baird got his just rewards for a very good performance five minutes from time when he used his height to good effect heading in a Coppin corner.

Man of the Match:  Oscar Cremmen

Elm Grove Colts 4 - 1 Brockham Badgers U11A

Travelling with only eight fit players it was unlikely Brockham were going to come away with a result and so it transpired.  Playing uphill in the first half they trailed two goals to nil despite have at least four decent chances but all of which went wide or over. 

Luke Page was marshalling his defensive partners Lily Turner and Will Timmons excellent against the numeric advantage and Huw Morgan was playing out of his skin in goal.  This gave Brockham something to build on and the second half started a little brighter when they nicked one back and gave themselves a chance.  Joseph Rabbetts fed George Wryde who clipped a left footed strike past the Colts keeper. 

But then Elm Grove buried another to take their advantage to two goals again.  If things were tough up to that point they were about to get more challenging.  The mercurial Louie Darling was caught in a strong tackle and could not carry on.  The Badgers were now two men down and having to work their socks off.  Sitting deep they tried to break on the counter but it was proving very difficult.  With time running out, Elm Grove took their chances once again and notched their fourth.

Man of the Match: Huw Morgan

Brockham Badgers U16A 2 -1 Elm Grove Colts

A tight and scrappy game contested by two competitive teams won’t go down as a classic but Brockham Badgers U16A marginally edged their game against Elm Grove Colts to win by two goals to one.

Brockham soaked up a lot of pressure from the Colts in the first fifteen minutes with no less than eight corners conceded and defended.  Once that passage of play had passed and Brockham were able to get the ball on the ground and retain possession their fortunes changed.  Lewis Wood played a superb ball into Jordan Martin who shrugged off the close attention of his marker a showed great confidence and composure to place the ball past the Elm Grove keeper with his weaker left foot.

Elm Grove had a strong and physical spine from back to front, but it was the diminutive Brockham captain Sam Lloyd that won the intelligence battle.  Receiving the ball to feet from an advanced midfield position he ducked under the shadow of his towering minder, showed a clean pair heels and played another neat through ball to Martin who finished with his left for the second time.

The Colts wrestled back some control of the game towards the end of the second half, and their frustration threatened to boil over into cautions with a few late challenges coming in.  Brockham held their nerve and composure however and were good value for their lead going into half time.

As expected Elm Grove applied some early pressure once more, their No.10 in particular, clearly identified as a target and receiving every ball forward to his feet and muscling his way through the Brockham lines at times.  Injuries forced changes for both sides and following three changes to the Badgers’ right sided setup the Colts seized on a little bit of complacency and tucked away a scrappy goal to put them back in the game with twenty five minutes to play.

From then on in the game descended into a stop and start affair with both sides giving away silly free kicks.  Composure, patience, and control was lost to some extent but the negative results were mostly self-inflicted and felt by the visitors as it stifled their own ability to get back into the game when the momentum had been with them.  Brockham saw the game out and can credit themselves with a mature performance from all the team.

Man of the Match:  Jordan Martin

Sutton United 3 - 3 Brockham Badgers U11A

A stunning recovery and a deserved point was earned by Brockham Badgers U11A on their travels to league champions Sutton United.  Brockham had given Sutton two good games last season despite losing both, and had narrowly lost by one goal to nil in a summer tournament to the Us.  So a tight and competitive game was expected.

Both teams play out from the back and try to construct flowing possession in their game.  For the spectators it was a joy to watch as both teams looked well organised and showed the best of their respective talents.  Each had two or three decent chances on goal in the first half but where the Badgers never got a break, the Us did, an easy collect from a soft shot slipping through the wet gloves of the Brockham keeper to give Sutton the lead on 20 minutes.

Brockham can be thankful a penalty was not awarded against them shortly afterwards, but as to reverse what seemed a change in luck Sutton bagged a second from close range shortly before half time.

The black and whites were nowhere near out of the game though and were encouraged to press higher up the pitch.  The tactic paid immediate dividends when the Us were forced into an error.  Some excellent defensive work by the Badgers allowed Luke Page to drive into midfield and switch play to Harrison Watts who picked the ball up on the right and pinged it low into the area where a Sutton defender sliced his clearance across goal.  The keeper parried the ball but Joseph Rabbetts pounced from 3 yards out with a quick turn and a deft flick of his left.

Further pressure forced a corner five minutes later.  Louie Darlington lofted it into the danger zone where it came straight back out to him.  Without a touch he instinctively punched a side footed shot from a tight angle straight inside the near post for the leveller for what he described as the best goal he’d ever scored.

It was all Badgers now, and the home team were rattled.  Excellent teamwork was forcing pressure all over the pitch and disrupting the Us game plan.  When another switch of play put Callum Holder in at the byline, his neat cut back was met by the alert George Wryde who reacted first at a congested near post and bundled the goal over the line for Brockham to take the lead.

On their second half performance alone the black and whites deserved the three points, but lady luck decided to even things up three minutes from time.  A period of pressure from Sutton saw a cross into the box met by Harrison Watts.  The ball bounced awkwardly and met his protecting arm and the referee blew for a spot kick.  Sutton took the gift and the game finished all square.  It was cracker.

Man of the Match:  Luke Page

Epsom & Ewell Colts 2 - 4 Brockham Badgers U16A

Brockham Badgers U16A provided a master class in possession and dominance in the first half of their Surrey Youth League match away to Epsom & Ewell Colts.  Their possession and control of the game was such that Epsom were limited to just two chances for the entire first period.  The second period was a lesson in complacency.

Jordan Martin got Brockham off the mark in the first three minutes when Oli Gout fed him a curved forward ball behind the Colts back line from an advanced left midfield position.  Martin ran at the keeper and finished well with a nick of a stretching defenders leg.

Epsom & Ewell were playing a very high line and yet from the evidence of the first fifteen minutes were unlikely to match Brockham’s forward line for pace.  This and the Badgers midfield dominance led the manager to take a luxurious risk and put pace into the left midfield position as well, at times playing a pacey forward line of three. 

James Rabbetts had little to do in the game to this point and decided to test the Colts back line for pace following the change by launching a goal kick.  It was route one, it was unsophisticated, but it worked.  Epsom allowed the ball to bounce and before they had time to turn Michael Cheeseman had beat the offside and his marker for pace and buried the ball beyond the advancing keeper for Brockham’s second, and Rabbetts was pleased with his assist.

It had worked once so why not twice.  Rabbetts launched another goal kick down the throats of the Colts centre backs ten minutes later.  Remarkably the ball was allowed to bounce again and this time captain Sam Lloyd was one on one with the keeper and finished well to give the black and whites a three goal lead going into half time.  Brockham’s goal keeper was now number one on the assist list.

The Badgers relaxed too much in the second half.  Their over confidence got the better of them twice with poor midfield pressure and resulting loss of defensive shape which gave Epsom & Ewell two really soft goals that threatened to ruin Brockham’s day.  If it had not been for a remarkable goal line clearance by Luke Brightman and some wasteful shooting from Epsom the match might have been thrown away.

Fortunately the Badgers woke up and their class came to the rescue.  Alex Bevis received the ball deep on Brockham’s right and played a wonderful pass into the channel for Martin to run onto.  Martin was never going to lose a race for the ball and drove into a dangerous advanced area, delivering a superb cross which Joe Silver finished expertly with an impressive stretched toe of the ball into the goal having advanced down the centre with incredible speed and timing.

Man of the Match:  Luc Jhugroo

Bookham Colts 1 - 4 Brockham Badgers U11A

Brockham Badgers U11A exacted revenge on Bookham Colts for the defeat they inflicted two weeks ago.  Brockham looked a totally different side, in control for most of the match despite going behind early on when a shot from distance slid under the Badgers keeper.

Brockham were back on level terms when Callum Holder scored his fourth of the league campaign, and then got themselves a deserved second when Ed Russ placed a powerful curling shot over the keeper from distance.

The Badgers were excellent in possession and equally organised without the ball.  The home team’s inability to break them down was frustrating them and committing players forward in an attempt to find a way through the Brockham lines.  This left them exposed at the back, so when the ball was won by the black and whites in midfield and fed wide quickly, the space was exploited by man of the match Sam Church lurking on the edge of the area, smashing Brockham’s third into the Colts net and giving the keeper no chance.

George Wryde could have scored twice, which would have been just rewards for his excellent work up front after replacing Holder.  Russ then added a fourth for the visiting Badgers of similar style and composure to that of his first to polish off a very satisfying performance.

Man of the Match: Sam Church

AFC Ewell 3 - 5 Brockham Badgers U11A

Brockham Badgers U11A notched their first win of the league campaign in a dominating display that belied the score.  Joseph Rabbetts scored the opener with a stunning left footed strike in the first few minutes.  Winning the ball in his own half he scampered down the wing, cut inside, and hit a pile driver from a tight angle which flew past the keeper and in off the angle of the far post and crossbar.

Callum Holder was next on the score sheet.  Playing the lone striker role he prowled on the shoulder of the AFC defenders all day waiting for a chance to beat the off-side trap.  Once or twice he had already come close but this time he timed his move to perfection.  Latching onto a great through ball from Louie Darlington in midfield he shrugged off some close attention from the Ewell defender and bore down on the keeper burying the ball with power and confidence.

Brockham were in total control and just had to keep their patience and composure.  However, as has often been the case in the last two games, moments of inexperience let the home side back in the game.  With the ball deep in the Brockham half but safely out to the side line, one too many touches and a dangerous move inside by Brockham’s defender allowed the Ewell striker to nick the ball from him.  He took two touches out of his feet on a run and hit the ball low and early with a strong right footed strike from distance that slid under the outstretched diving arm of William Timmons, who had courageously stood in for the Badgers absent keeper.

A two goal Badgers advantage was quickly re-established when Luke Page made a driving run from midfield and collected a square ball from the right.  He took on his defender, beat him, and drilled his shot past the diving AFC keeper.  There really was only one team in the match now and Brockham should have pushed on to take a comfortable margin victory. However, inexperience punished them again.  Ed Russ went on one of his trademark rampaging runs from central defence.  The ball was lost just outside the AFC penalty area, which normally should not have been a problem, but nobody had filled in for Russ in a defensive position and everyone bar Lilly Turner had joined him too far forward in an offensive onslaught.  Ewell quickly got the ball to their front men who were now three on one with Turner.  As she was drawn out to try and slow the ball, they passed inside and the Ewell striker ran unchallenged at an advancing Timmons.  He stood no chance.

Half time was an opportunity to gather themselves and rectify the over-enthusiasm that had given Ewell a fighting chance for the second time.  Ewell came out on the front foot and forced one or two excellent saves from Sam Church who had now swapped for Timmons in goal.  Brockham were losing their composure out of possession, all too often diving into challenges or getting sucked to the ball when all they had to do was slow play down.  AFC won a corner and Brockham failed to meet it with any meaningful challenge.  It fell to a Ewell player who slammed it into the roof of the net.  Somehow the game was level and AFC were in the ascendency.

Fortunately there was no repeat of the previous week.  To their credit Brockham decided they weren’t having any of it.  They shored up at the back and took two more goals when both Holder and Page completed a brace each.  There were some hairy moments which forced Church to make a couple more excellent goal keeping decisions, and a Ewell shot that flew off the crossbar.  But the Badgers nine men had managed without any subs and without a goalkeeper to battle the three points out of the second half.

Man of the Match:  Joseph Rabbetts

Brockham Badgers U16A 4 - 2 AFC Brooklands

Neither Brockham Badgers or AFC Brooklands had met each other before so this Surrey Youth League Invitation Cup draw was a bit of an unknown quantity for both sides.  Brockham started brightly and were comfortable in possession, moving the ball quickly with some good two touch football.  Their patient build up play was rewarded when Luke Brightman played a lovely through ball from the middle of the park between the AFC full back and centre half for Michael Cheeseman to latch onto.  Cheeseman started where he finished his stunning debut match last week scoring once again with a perfectly taken goal from 15 yards, struck hard and low off his left foot beyond an on-rushing goal keeper.

Sam Lloyd is a combative captain, always there to win a fifty fifty ball and lead his team by example.  When he ran onto another ball behind the Brooklands back line it seemed his first touch had invited the keeper to collect, but Lloyd was having none of it.  He stretched to toe the ball first and was taken down in the area by the momentum of the advancing AFC keeper on a wet sliding surface.  Cheeseman had been nominated for spot kicks but Lloyd picked up the ball and nobody was going to tell him otherwise.  He despatched the penalty confidently and Brockham were cruising.

Luc Jhugroo had put in another excellent performance but was crocked by a groin strain minutes before half time.  Brockham had to switch their defensive line-up to accommodate the injury and other missing players but everyone slotted in and performed superbly.  Had it not been for a comical goal ten minutes into the second half and a tired pass 10 minutes from time Brockham should and would have kept a clean sheet.  James Rabbetts advanced out of his area to nod a 10 yard bouncing ball to man of the match Oscar Cremmen in midfield.  The ball should have bounced up to meet his head but somehow just slid flat across the ground leaving Rabbetts stranded and gifting an easy tap in for the Brooklands striker.

Brockham remained patient though and stuck to their game plan and sure enough the maturity of their play enabled them to take a two goal lead again.  Lloyd received a pass to feet with his back to goal and under tight pressure from an AFC defender.  Lloyd rolled his body and with a nice turn of pace and deft footwork freed himself and ran into the space behind the Brookland left back.  Looking up he spotted Jack Coppin flying to the back post.  Lloyd delivered an inch perfect ball across the goal where Coppin tapped in from two yards out.

Brooklands nicked one more goal when Brightman sold Rabbetts short with a tired back pass from where their striker nipped in, rounded Rabbetts and slotted into an empty net.  Ten minutes from the final whistle Brockham won a free kick 30 yards from the Brooklands goal.  Jordan Martin played an intelligent ball to Cheeseman’s feet twenty yards out who was able to turn and shoot.  An outstretched Brooklands defensive leg changed the direction of the ball and gave the keeper no chance.  Brockham saw the game out confidently and can look forward to the next round of the cup.

 

Brockham Badgers U11A 4 - 6 Bookham Colts

This was a classic game of two halves.  30 minutes of Badgers domination followed by a second half in which they pressed the self-destruct button.  The first half was a disciplined performance.  Brockham enjoyed the majority of possession and converted two of their best chances into goals to take a comfortable lead.  The first came in the 15^th minute when Bookham conceded a free kick 20 yards from goal.  Joseph Rabbetts swung in a dangerous dead ball between the penalty spot and keeper which was met with a neat flick from the head of William Timmons burying the ball in the back of the Colts’ net.  The black and whites’ second was scored by Callum Holder in a magnificent solo effort cutting in from the right and passing the ball through the keeper’s legs.

Bookham got one back shortly before half-time but the Badgers still seemed in control of the outcome and destined to take the points.  And so it seemed when Brockham again took a two goal lead within minutes of the restart.  Rabbetts whipped in a corner from the right and man of the match Luke Page was there to deftly hook the ball in on the volley.  What happened next was inexplicable.  Bookham shot speculatively from distance and the ball looped over Huw Morgan in goal to close the deficit to one.  When an innocuous ball came in from the left two minutes later it was missed by Morgan and then fell to Rabbetts to clear under no pressure at the far post, but swinging his right it ballooned off his shin and in for an own goal to level the game.

The Badgers heads dropped when in fact they should have pushed on for the winner, whilst the Colts had their tails up.  A sustained period of Bookham pressure sent panic through the Brockham ranks as they tried to fathom how they were now fighting to stay in the match.  A combination of everything you shouldn’t do saw them ship three more goals in 5 minutes to take Bookham out of sight.  George Wryde made a rampaging run from deep in his own half all the way to the Colts penalty area where he was brought down and Rabbetts converted from the spot to snatch a consolation goal, but it was too little too late.

Brockham Badgers U11A 3 - 3 Stoneleigh Athletic

Brockham Badgers U11As secured what might be an important point in their first Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division league match of the season after a thrilling end to end match versus newly promoted Stoneleigh.

Early signs showed that the newcomers were going to be no push overs, with the visitors going ahead within the first minute before the Badgers had switched on.  A period of sustained pressure then followed, and Stoneleigh’s strong physical game threatened to overrun the black and whites, whose calm possession plan was going out of the window as Stoneleigh quickly dictated the tempo of the game.

Fortunately Brockham gradually wrestled control back and swiftly responded when Joseph Rabbetts cut in from the right and placed a left foot shot beyond the keeper from 10 yards to level the game within ten minutes.

To be fair it was against the run of play when Brockham went ahead.  George Wryde made a storming run down the left and fed Rabbetts who let fly.  The ball was parried by the Stoneleigh keeper but Wryde had followed play into the area and slammed home the loose ball clinically.

Stoneleigh continued to press and harry the ball, breaking up the Badgers’ tempo and causing some panic on occasions, but again Brockham scored against the run of play on a counter attack started by Louie Darlington, assisted by Wryde with an exceptional cross from the left, and finished equally impressively by Sam Church on the half volley after a charging run from midfield.

In the second half the Badgers attempted to control the game and see out the time for all the points but Stoneleigh were having none of it.  With ten minutes to play they pulled one back after catching a high line from Brockham onside.  With only four minutes remaining Brockham conceded possession in midfield, awkwardly attempted a defensive clearance but were outnumbered and out-paced when the ball fell to the Stoneleigh striker.  He advanced one on one with Huw Morgan in goal, rounded Morgan’s intelligent rush to close the angle, and tapped home from close range, earning Stoneleigh a deserved point.

Man of the Match:  Harrison Watts

 

Wraysbury Youth 0 - 4 Brockham Badgers U16A

Brockham Badgers U16A’s kicked off their league season promisingly with a convincing 4-0 victory away to Wrasbury Youth.  Things could not have started better when after a period of early pressure Michael Cheeseman delivered a wonderful corner that captain Sam Lloyd finished with his head at the front post after just five minutes.

The Badgers dominated possession, comfortable to stroke the ball around at the back and patiently wait for the opportunity to break forward.  Man of the match Lewis Wood was an influential figure at the heart of midfield, breaking up play, and conducting the tempo of the game.  It was two superb assists from Wood that helped Cheeseman cap an impressive league debut for the black and whites.  Both passes were telling through balls between full back and centre half, and both were pounced on and finished with a chip by the confident looking Cheeseman.

Jack Coppin rounded off a pleasing afternoon for the team with some neat footwork in the box, receiving a pass from Lloyd he dragged the ball one way then the other, avoiding three challenges before slotting the ball home from close range with his left.  A clean sheet, great shape, good possession and a disciplined performance can hopefully form the basis for a promising season to follow.

 

Surrey Youth League - Brockham Badgers U16A 5 Ashford Town U16 3

Brockham Badgers U16As played their last ever game for the club on Sunday, securing a win to sign off on a very successful 10 years with Badgers.

 

The win sees the team finish in third spot in the Surrey Youth League Premier Division, and was a fitting end for one of, if not the most, successful teams ever seen at Brockham Badgers.  Not only did the team become the first ever Brockham side to reach the final of the Surrey County Cup, losing narrowly at Under 14 level to AFC Wimbledon, but the side competed at many years in the top Surrey youth league against some of the finest teams in the county and beyond, batting well above their village club, non selective status to mix it with academy-level teams.

 

Coach Simon Coffey said at the end of the game that it had been a privilege to coach the team, many of whom had been with him from Under 7 level, and that the team could be extremely proud of their exploits.  Many of the team could now push on in to high level adult and Under 18 youth football as they enter the next chapter in their football development.

 

Needing a win to be sure of their third spot in the league, behind Farnborough Elite and Royals Elite, a club connected to Reading FC, Badgers went behind midway through the first half, but Brockham hit back within a minute through Mike Richardson to make it 1-1.  Alex Nicholson then headed home a Matt Higgins free kick, before further goals from George Coffey and Nicholson made it 4-1.  Ashford were always dangerous in attack, but even though they made it 4-2 with 15 minutes to go, Brockham were in control and a fifth goal from Richardson settled the game for good.  A consolation goal from Ashford rounded off the scoring

 

Squad:  Dennis Rapson, Connor Baker, Will Mahoney, Matt Higgins, Will Bletso, Alex Nicholson, Josh Brown, Ollie Winter , Mike Richardson, Gecco Navalta, Tom Ball, Harry Morland, George Coffey, Harry Ramsey

PRITCHARD ENGLEFIELD CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
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Amy Ticehurst - SLT callout

Hi Nicola,

 

Please would you alert the on-call to the fact that Amy Ticehurst has registered this morning, but has not appeared for her ICT lesson in C21?

 

Thanks,

 

Frank.

---

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Surrey Youth League U16 Premier Diivision - Barnes Eagles 1 Brockham Badgers U16 1

Brockham Badgers U16As moved back to second place in the league with a comfortable 3-0 win at 3^rd placed Barnes Eagles on Sunday.

 

Badgers had gone into the game after last weekend’s good win at Mitcham in which keeper Dennis Rapson had produced a couple of good saves to provide the platform for Badgers to push on and win the match, and with recent form behind the away team, Brockham were in positive form.

 

Barnes had overcome a slow start to the season to move to the top areas of the division, but Brockham were comfortable throughout this game.  Influential midfielder Mike Richardson was on the score sheet twice, while striker George Coffey scored a third to give Brockham all three points.

 

Squad - Dennis Rapson, Will Mahoney, Connor Baker, Matt Higgins ©, Will Bletso, Tom Ball, Mike Richardson, Josh Brown, Alex Nicholson, Gecco Navalta, Frankie Routlef, Harry Ramsey, George Coffey

PRITCHARD ENGLEFIELD CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This communication and the information it contains is intended for the person(s) or organisation(s) named above and no other person(s) or organisation(s) and may be confidential, legally privileged and protected by law. Unauthorised use, copying or disclosure of any of it may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please contact us immediately by email, telephone or facsimile. We will be happy to accept a reversed charge call (call collect).
Pritchard Englefield, 14 New Street, London EC2M 4HE (DX 88 London) Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7972 9720 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7972 9722
E-mail: po@pe-legal.com Web: www.pe-legal.com
No contract may be concluded on behalf of Pritchard Englefield, nor service of process accepted, by e-mail. A list of Partners names can be viewed at the above address. The service is provided by solicitors of England and Wales, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA Registration No. 00079854. The contents of any attachment to this e-mail may contain software viruses, which could damage your own computer system. While Pritchard Englefield has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise this risk, we cannot accept liability for any damage which you sustain as a result of software viruses. You should carry out your own virus checks before opening any attachment.

Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians 4 - 1 Kingswood Falcons A, (Epsom & Ewell Youth Football League), Saturday 17th March 2012

After a strong performance in last week’s draw against league leaders NPL, the Barbarians showed that they truly were back to their best in comprehensively dispatching Kingswood Falcons A.

The promise of a bright, sunny morning was soon dissolved by a steady drizzle, making the playing surface somewhat difficult, however this did not hinder the Barbarians settling into a rhythmic passing game with which Kingswood found it difficult to cope. The speedy back line of William Glenn and Ben Austin comfortably coped with the long ball game of the opposition which was their only means of evading tough-tackling centre-midfielder Bailey Osborne. Defensive solidity enabled left and right midfielders to get forward almost at will, and the deadlock was broken after seven minutes as a right-wing cross from Ben Mackenzie was played straight out to Callum Holder who made no mistake in hitting the back of the net.

Roles were reversed a few minutes later as Holder turned provider for Mackenzie, cross from the right for the latter to show that he could match his colleagues finishing prowess. 2-0 Barbarians.

Finally breaking out from the sustained pressure delivered by the Barbarians, Kingswood finally gave ‘keeper Josh Snow some action by calling upon him to demonstrate his handling skills by meeting and holding a shot just under the bar. Moments later, captain Lily Turner sent in a free-kick from deep which evaded defenders and attackers alike, and flew just past the post.

No let-up for Kingswood, as the introduction of the speedy Tom Ambrose to the right back position to combine down the right with Mackenzie led to the latter shooting from the right corner of the penalty area just inside the left post to give the Barbarians a 3-0 lead at half-time.

Kingswood had the advantage of the slope in the second half, however the Barbarians were in no mood to ease up. On those occasions that the visitors were able to break through from midfield, they were efficiently and effectively marshalled by Glenn and Ambrose and reduced to hurried, off-target shots, and a single scoring chance which was snuffed out by Ambrose’s superb sprint back to block-tackle.

On 28 minutes, Ben Mackenzie was rewarded for his best performance of the season when his high cross to the far post dropped into the net to earn him his hat-trick and player-of-the-match award. There followed a number of further chances for the Barbarians, including a shot over the bar from Ben Austin and from Callum Holder an outrageous Gascoigne-esque lifting of the ball over a defender following by a long-range shot. A re-shuffling of positons gave Lily Turner a run as striker and she was unlucky not to claim a goal as she shot narrowly wide.

Kingswood maintained their fighting spirit throughout, however, and for this earned a deserved consolation goal as they scrambled the ball home shortly before the final whistle, leaving the score at 4-1 to accurately reflect the Barbarians superiority on the day.

Barbarians: Lily Turner (capt.), Josh Snow, Ben Austin, William Glenn, Tom Ambrose, Ben Mackenzie, Bailey Osborne, Callum Holder.

Report by Frank Holder

 

Brockham Badgers U10A 1 - 3 Wolves

The best team on the day lost!  Another enthralling encounter between Brockham and league winners Wolves, saw the Badgers seize the advantage in terms of open play and chances, but the opposition snuck into the sheep pen and ran off with the Sunday roast.

Both teams play some very good football.  They each like to build play from the back and move the ball along the ground with a natural passing style that on occasions gives a display of pass and move one touch dynamism that belies their age.  Wolves are very good at dictating the tempo and as such can take the sting out of the opposition when it comes to pressing and urgency.  A little more of Brockham’s normal style and tempo might have produced a different result.

Brockham were up for this one though and were soon out of the blocks with a couple of attempts on goal from Conan Torpey and Ed Russ that stung the Wolves keeper’s hands.  The Badgers certainly had the lion’s share of possession in the first half but Wolves are an excellent counter attacking team.  They allow their opposition to play in certain areas and wait to press and nip in once the ball reaches their own half.  They then rarely waste it, making accurate passes to quick moving players that mount goal opportunities in a matter of seconds for a clinical forward with a real eye for goal.

Wolves’ first came from an interception in the middle of their own half which was quickly switched outside right.  Brockham were a little slow to cover the threat and a cross came in that was finished well.  A similar second shortly followed.  A wasteful pass in midfield conceded possession, the ball was switched right again and despite some tight marking by Joseph Rabbetts the canny Wolves winger sneaked a cross in from the by-line.  Huw Morgan anticipated well and went to ground to parry the ball with an outstretched hand as it fizzed across his area, but it fell to a Wolf in sheep’s clothing who sharpened his claws from short range.

Against the run of play, two shots had put Brockham down by two goals.  Brockham pushed on.  Torpey hit the post, Russ skimmed the cross bar and fired another into the belly of the very capable Wolves keeper, and William Timmons, who was having an excellent game in left midfield had one shot pushed away by the keeper and another fizz past the post.

The next goal was typical of football , and what makes it such a frustrating but ultimately exciting game.  A long goal kick from Wolves was met by Rabbetts deep in his own half.  The ball spun up off his knee from his half clearance, Morgan and Rabbetts hesitated as the ball dropped between them and the Wolves number 4 was there again to nip over the sheep pen fence and snaffle supper for a third time.  The big bad Wolf licked his lips.

The second half was one way traffic.  Brockham stifled the Wolves counter attacking threat with a little more pressing high up the pitch.  This worked, neutralising threats to the extent that Morgan had nothing to do in the second period.  Sam Church, Ed Russ, and Owen Knowles combined well with some one touch passing that saw a good shot from Russ collected confidently by the Wolves keeper.  Russ then headed another good chance from a Church cross and had a another strong shot from distance pushed over the cross bar.

Harrison Watts and Rabbetts were absolutely solid by now, and this provided a little confidence for Brockham to continue to push for a goal.  Russ on a rampaging run punched the ball at goal from outside the area.  The Wolves defender raised an arm to protect himself and a penalty was given.  Russ drilled it low and hard and the Badgers were back in the game.

Rabbetts had a powerful shot sail over, a great turn on the outside of the box saw Torpey ping another shot which the Wolves keeper saved yet again, whilst Church was finding lots of space on the right to put in threatening crosses in a repeated display of link up play with Russ.  Timmons had another crack, Torpey hit the post for a second time, and the big bad wolf in goal blocked yet another, this time from Timmons.

Twelve shots to none, but it wasn’t to be in the second half.  Brockham tried everything but the Wolves keeper was up to the challenge.  Watts was the Badgers’ man of the match for his perfect defensive display, but everyone agreed that the Wolves stopper must surely have walked away with their own award.

Man of the match:  Harrison Watts

Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians 1-1 NPL Youth A (Epsom & Ewell Youth Football League), Saturday 10th March 2012

Having perhaps not quite delivered the results of which they are capable during a New Year period which significantly disrupted their match schedule, Brockham Badgers U10 Barbarians finally raised their performance level to that of the first half of the season.

Saturday’s return fixture at home to NPL Youth saw a frenetic opening period, with end-to-end action from the off. Despite the absence of the defensively stoic Tom Ambrose, the gritty determination of the defensive unit saw off in quick succession some penetrating offensive moves from the opposition. Some excellent blocking and covering by the likes of Ben Austin and William Glenn gave protection to ‘keeper Josh Snow who – when he did need to respond – did so effectively and confidently. In their turn, the midfield trio of Bailey Osborne, Ben Mackenzie and Lily Turner gave NPL plenty to worry about, with the latter providing a stunning 20 yard pass to split the defence and provide Mackenzie with a shooting opportunity which went narrowly wide.

The tendency of the Barbarians not to be first to the ball set a counter-attacking pattern to the game. NPL were able to keep the defence busy on those occasions when they managed to evade the strong tackling of man-of-the-match Osborne in centre-midfield. Home supporters and team alike had hearts in mouths momentarily when Snow was called upon to make a stunning point-blank save, and again when a header from an NPL corner was put narrowly wide.

Going forward link play between midfielders Osborne and Mackenzie kept their opponents from complacency by linking well with striker Watkins to create chances, however a lapse in attention further back allowed NPL finally to break the deadlock with the last kick of the first half.

After the break the Barbarians progressively suppressed NPL both in terms of penetration and confidence. The clearance of a Barbarians free-kick fell to Turner who shot narrowly over, before being provided by Watkins with a further opportunity which again failed to find the net. As legs tired the game again opened up into an end-to-end affair, however chances for both teams dried up, the Barbarians fortunate to have in defence the ever-dependable William Glenn who on more than one occasion used his speed and anticipation to sweep up long balls forward from the visitors. In midfield the Barbarians more than held their own, and were defended from the front by Watkins who battled hard to regain possession in advanced positions.

With ten minutes to go and having given everything he had, Watkins was replaced by leading scorer Callum Holder who had been held in reserve following a bout of illness. Fresh pace gave fresh concern to NPL. Holder kept them fully occupied at the back until the last minute when the quick-thinking Mackenzie provided penetrating service to Holder from the flank, and the latter ghosted past the defence to shoot from the corner of the penalty area through the legs of the keeper and into the far corner. Thus was sealed the point the earlier efforts of his teammates so richly deserved.

Team: Turner (capt.), Snow, Austin, Glenn, Mackenzie, Osborne, Turner, Watkins, Holder.

Report: Matt Snow & Frank Holder

 

 

Brockham Badgers U10A 2 - 4 Old Coulsdon Colts

It wasn’t a great day at the office for Brockham Badgers U10s at the Big Field this weekend. The Barbarians went down 4-0 to Ashtead Colts whilst the Assassins missed out on securing 3^rd spot in the Premier Division of the Epsom & Ewell League when they were beaten 4-2 by Old Coulsdon Colts.

It was not for a lack of effort though.  Conan Torpey struck gold on five minutes to score for the third game in succession and give the U10As the lead following a long throw from Ed Russ.  The lead was short lived however when the excellent Harrison Watts was adjudged to have brought down the Colts forward in the penalty area, which he duly converted to level the game. 

Brockham continued to push forward and take the lion’s share of possession but were stunned when Coulsdon caught them on the counter and struck a sharp shot from outside the area.  Coulsdon bagged a third quickly afterwards, winning the ball in midfield they drove forward and switched the ball quickly left to right for a well worked goal.

Somehow Brockham still looked good for the points though and their good work was rewarded when again Russ provided the assist for Torpey to reduce the deficit.

How Brockham didn’t draw level in the second half is anyone’s guess.  Russ and Joe Rabbetts went close from long range, and when the two combined with fifteen minutes to goal only quantum physics can explain how Rabbetts’ header saw the ball drop on the line and then spin of its own accord around the outside of the post.  Will Timmons made two good drives into space from defence and could have scored with either had luck been wearing black and white on the day. 

The Badgers had read the direct and  long-ball goal kicks from Coulsdon all morning, but on the last occasion they failed to deal with it.  Confusion between Timmons and the otherwise excellent Huw Morgan in goal, allowed the ball to bounce over them and the Colts striker to sneak in and bag their fourth.  Fair play to the Colts, but it’s a funny old game!

Man of the Match: Harrison Watts

Molsesey Juniors 4 - 1 Brockham Badgers U15A

Brockham Badgers U15A undid themselves this weekend.  They dominated offensive play, and had they been more clinical in their finishing, the score line may have been different.  But their failure to organise defensively as a unit, combined with some nervous goal keeping, once again lost them the match and places them firmly in a relegation dog fight with only four games of the season remaining. 

The first ten minutes was a pretty even affair, both teams getting to grips with each other and trying to impose their own shape and tempo on the game.  The match ebbed and flowed with some half chances at either end.  Molesey opened the scoring at the end of this spell.  Brockham lost the ball high up the pitch in midfield.  Molesey played the ball wide to their right midfielder.  Brockham’s left winger failed to track and by the time he’d woken up to the threat Oli Gout at left back was two on one.  Molesey’s right midfielder was allowed to advance as Gout tried to cover both the threat and the potential pass inside, and enough space to shoot was all Molesey needed to put the ball in from 15 yards.

Brockham responded well.  Alex Mitrovic and Joe Silver both had chances cleared off the line, and Brockham looked more like the team who would go on to win.  It was a neat ball into Alex Mitrovic from midfield which he smartly switched outside right with his first touch which allowed the Badgers to level the game.  His pass was perfect – a yard or two nearer Jordan Martin than the Molesey goalie, forcing the keeper to advance always in the knowledge that Martin’s pace would get him their first.  Martin took a touch, rounded the keeper and drilled it home.

Brockham were immediately hit by a self inflicted succour punch.  Within two minutes of the restart Molesey went ahead again.  Again the threat came down the Molesey right.  Gout could have met the aerial threat early with his head but did well all the same well to recover and push the danger out wide from where an innocuous cross came in for the Brockham defence to routinely clear.  Inexplicably both centre halves and right back let the ball roll in front of them without an attempt to intercept and an advancing Molesey player cut in from the left and tucked it away.

Brockham looked a little nervous now and started to rush things.  Too much emphasis was being placed on getting the ball forward too quickly and as a consequence possession was being given away cheaply.  The next goal started from losing the ball too easily in an offensive position high up on the left but the result was more a stroke of luck than anything.  A Molesey striker took a speculative shot from 20 yards.  It was a simple collect for the Brockham keeper as the defence and the Molesey front line turned to jog back to the half-way line.  Somehow though the ball slipped through his wet gloves and rolled through his legs and over the line.

To their credit, Brockham didn’t drop their heads.  Two excellent chances to get back in the game were gifted on a plate but neither were taken.  The first came from some excellent combination work on the right from Sam Lloyd and Luke Brightman.  Lloyd put a peach of a cross in from the right, across the six yard box that just begged to be finished.  The ball passed all of the Molesey defence and dropped for Martin who elected to attempt to chest it into the goal rather than direct a simple header into the gaping net.  The ball went wide.  Next, Jack Coppin made an excellent run into the Molesey penalty area where he was brought down and the referee blew for a spot kick.  Coppin shot wide.

Luck just wasn’t helping Brockham’s attacking cause to balance their defensive shortcomings, and so the combination transpired for Molesey’s fourth.  A simple collect on the bye-line was fumbled by the Brockham keeper and the ball somehow rolled out for a Molesey corner when Brockham should have instead been on the counter.  The most obvious Molesey man to mark was the number 10.  He was the tallest, most vocal all match, and was their standout player and captain.  The corner sailed in, and the number 10 was there at the back post totally unmarked to head home.

Brockham have a front line to be feared.  They can score against anyone, but if they don’t defend as a unit and organise themselves on set pieces then no matter how many chances they create they will always be vulnerable even when the possession advantage is theirs.  The team is good enough to be at the opposite end of the table but instead it finds itself in a relegation battle.  The boys can get themselves out of it but it will require them to determine the outcome not the opposition.

Men of the Match:  Sam Lloyd and Luke Brightman

 

 

 

 

 

Surrey Youth League - Brockham Badgers U16A 4 Mitcham Imperials U16 0

Brockham Badgers U16A put their disappointing defeat in the quarter final of the Surrey Cup last weekend against lower league Corinthian Casuals by sweeping a decent Mitcham Imperials side aside at a rain swept Big Field on Sunday.

 

Brockham now sit in 2^nd spot in the division, and with three straight victories without conceding a goal Brockham seem to be on a good spell of form at the moment despite a mystifying loss of form in the Surrey cup clash. 

 

Sitting just 2 points behind Brockham at the start of play, Mitcham are a good footballing side, but Brockham were always on top and the 1-0 interval scoreline courtesy of a Will Mahoney goal was no more than Badgers deserved.  As the rain tumbled down, a second goal for Brockham from a busy Josh Brown set the tone for the game in the early second half.  Harry Ramsey used his pace to punish an indecisive defence 15 minutes from time, and then George Coffey rounded of fthe scoring via a direct free kick that evaded the keeper as players deceived his line of sight in the box.  Tom Ball made a good debut for the Brockham side with an energetic performance.

 

The Brockham clean sheet was almost threatened late on when the otherwise exemplary Brockham defence switched off for a second, but Dennis Rapson was his normal impressive self and he smothered the effort as Mitcham looked destined to score a consolation.

 

Team – Dennis Rapson, Will Mahoney, Connor Baker, Matt Higgins ©, Will Bletso, Tom Ball, Mike Richardson, Josh Brown, Alex Nicholson, Gecco Navalta, Frankie Routlef, Harry Ramsey, George Coffey

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Brockham Badgers Black U11 v Kingswood Falcons U11 (South Surrey Youth league)

Brockham started the game with some crisp accurate passing that had Kingswood chasing shadows.  The team work was exceptional and the passing inch perfect.

 

Toby Evans really stood out, in what became a tough physical midfield battle.  Toby was brave in the tackle and released the ball quickly to make chances for his team mates.  He's a real team player and was instrumental in keeping the pressure on Kingswood.

 

Oliver Yeates scored the pick of the goals with a chip into the top corner.  The Kingswood keeper had a great game and made a fantastic last ditch tackle on Ezra to prevent a certain goal.  But he couldn't keep Badgers at bay.

 

Morgan slammed home a penalty.  Ezra poached one in the box and Oliver Yeates went in to the half-time huddle with a hat-trick.

 

Half-time: Brockham Badgers Black 5 Kingswood Falcons 0

 

The second half saw a spirited fight back from Kingswood early on.  And The Falcons got a deserved consolation goal.

 

Brockham continued to apply the pressure but the final ball didn't arrive quick enough as the boys all had one eye on the goal and the other on the score sheet.

 

George Lees was very accomplished in his striker role.  Kept the ball, led the line and finished superbly.  He has a great shot on him and brings others into the game.  His goal was a highlight of the second half.

 

Jack Duncan got his reward for his constant running with a cool finish.  Lucas Woolley was electric on the left and played his goal through the keeper's legs.  Oliver got his fourth in a high scoring match.

 

The Badgers did well to keep their cool in a game that saw many fouls and incidents.  They have big games coming against top quality opposition.  They will need to be at their absolute best.

 

Final Score: Brockham Badgers Black 9 Kingswood Falcons 1

 

Squad: George Lees, Morgan Hamilton, Lucas Woolley, Joe Allen, Zain Khan, Oliver Yeates, Henry Lucas, Toby Evans, Ezra Charles, Jack Duncan

 

Man Of The Match:  Oliver Yeates (superb finishing)

 

Match Report: Jason Charles

 

 

 

 

Brockham Badgers U15A 1 - 1 Leatherhead Youth

Despite having only twelve players to field this Sunday, Brockham Badgers U15A responded with a thoroughly disciplined display that ensured they shared the spoils with local rival Leatherhead in a closely fought 1-1 encounter.

Brockham setup to limit Leatherhead chances and play a counter attacking game.  They enjoyed some good possession in the first fifteen minutes going close when Joe Silver was through one on one with keeper and drew a brave save.  The Badgers maintained their shape and stuck to their game plan despite a concerted effort from the Tanners to force themselves into the game.  Leatherhead chances were limited to long shots from outside the area thanks to some sturdy work from the tireless Sam Lloyd and Kieran Rice who had been asked to patrol midfield in front of the Badgers’ back four and break up threats before they had a chance to challenge Justin Tarrant who put in an impressive display as stand-in keeper.

If Brockham were going to break the deadlock it looked more likely to come from a wide position where Jack Coppin and Silver were enjoying some success but instead it came down the centre where Alex Mitrovic bagged his first goal for the black and whites.  Receiving a high ball on his chest with his back to goal and under pressure from both Leatherhead centre backs, he had enough composure to quickly look over his shoulder and see the Tanners keeper off his line.  As the ball dropped Mitrovic hooked a cheeky lob over his left shoulder which dropped under the cross bar and gave Brockham the lead.

The remainder of the first half was box to box stuff but with little in the way of chances coming for either team.  Brockham were working hard and frustrating Leatherhead and deserved the edge going into the break.

The second half played out in a similar pattern to the first.  To their credit Leatherhead started to look the more threatening but Brockham were happy to let them play in certain areas and break it down in others always, always on the look out to put their pacey wide men in for a counter.  Both teams has some tight calls for off-side halt some fair chances had they run on, and Leatherhead had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be disallowed for off-side, whilst Brockham had a good strike cleared off the line by Leatherhead.  The match had a narrow win for either side or a draw written all over it.

Leatherhead then snatched the equaliser.  A corner to the Tanners was cleared, then pinged back in and half-cleared again, where it rolled into a space twelve yards out onto which a Leatherhead player was advancing.  He struck it well and drove it powerfully into the Brockham net.

Leatherhead now had their tails up and fancied they might go on and win.  Brockham were tiring and rolling one sub every five minutes to keep some legs fresh.  The Tanners pressure was pretty relentless in the last ten minutes but Brockham steeled themselves and also had one or two opportunities that threatened of their own.

With a minute on the clock to go, Leatherhead put a through ball down the middle.  Their striker latched onto it at pace and edged a yard past his marker into the penalty area.  Tarrant had advanced quickly to close the angle but put in more of a defender’s challenge than a keeper’s.  Penalty.  Brockham hearts stopped.  They’d fought doggedly all match for each other and now looked to lose a well earned point in the dying seconds.  Tarrant stood tall and did enough to make the Leatherhead spot kicker aim for a low corner.  Fortunately for the Badgers, and agonisingly for the Tanners, he put it marginally wide.

The final whistle blew and the spoils were shared.  Both teams had equipped themselves well and a point a piece was the right result.

Men of the Match: Oscar Cremmen, Sam Lloyd, Kieran Rice

Brockham Badgers U10A 3 - 3 Leatherhead Youth

A magnificent effort to come back from two down against a very good Leatherhead side earned Brockham Badgers U10A a well deserved point at the Big Field this Saturday.

Leatherhead took the lead early on with a wonderful strike from outside the area, and they doubled their lead ten minutes later with a headed goal following some nice wide play and a cross in from the right.  Brockham were struggling to find their rhythm early on but once they got the ball on the ground and started to move it quickly across the ground they gradually imposed themselves on the game. 

Conan Torpey was once again a threat up front – all movement, strength, and pressure, giving the Swans defence a real handful of power to deal with.  Two opportunistic strikes in succession were dealt with before Torpey got the Badgers back in the game.  Will Timmons showed great composure under pressure to weave out of a tight spot in left defence, put the ball down the line to Joe Rabbetts who went on a tricky run and fed a nice ball from the left.  Torpey still had a lot to do but with a calmness that belied his age he slotted home with a great right footed finish from ten yards.

Torpey then fell foul to a double set back.  Mud in his eye followed by a tough shin challenge put paid to his threat for a while and the disruption was all Leatherhead needed to set their stall out again.  Pinching the ball from a Brockham defender in a tight position the Leatherhead winger put a pass across goal for their impressive No.6 to bag a third for the visitors just before the break and force Brockham‘s manager to re-write the half-time team talk.

The Badgers set up differently in the second period.  George Wryde and Rabbetts were set the task of stopping the service that was all coming down the right side of the Leatherhead formation, whilst captain Ed Russ was asked to put in a man-marking shift against their creative and combative No.6.  The change made a difference.  It was Brockham now looking the most threatening and a good stint by Matt Chapman was now asking questions of Leatherhead’s left field.  Two or three good chances for a goal were thwarted at both ends with Huw Morgan and his counterpart in the Leatherhead goal making a difference to the scorecard.  But with only ten minutes remaining Brockham needed a break.

Dividends were repaid for their good work when Harrison Watts and Owen Knowles combined on Brockham’s right to cut a ball back from the bye-line where who else but Torpey was there to bundle the ball in for Brockham’s second.

Sam Church’s introduction for Watts late on was the last roll of the dice.  It was decisive change.  As the clock ran down, Church made an interception deep in Brockham’s half, he cut the ball inside for Russ who fed Rabbetts making a run on the left.  His ball into Torpey was switched back left to Wryde who slid a left foot shot into the bottom of the Leatherhead net.  The centre kick was taken and immediately the referee blew up for full-time.  The Badgers had pulled off an excellent recovery from two goals down to level the game 3-3 in the dying seconds.

Man of the match: Conan Torpey