Brockham Badgers U15A kicked off the new year with a difficult match at second placed Barnes Eagles. The first half was a scruffy affair. Too many high balls were easily dealt with by the impressive Barnes central defence pairing, and Brockham failed to string more than two or three passes together. Barnes went ahead early on and maintained the advantage until half time, shortly after which they deservedly doubled their lead.
Jordan Martin was getting little success through the middle of the Barnes defence and switched to the right. Although the Barnes no.14 at left back had put in an impressive display to that point, Martin asked a few more questions and before long snatched a goal back for Brockham from close range following a cross from Jack Coppin.
The Badgers started to play the ball on the ground and wrestled the possession advantage from the Eagles. There were chances at both ends, but if anyone was going to score next it was looking more likely that it would come from the visiting boys in black and white. With only three minutes remaining Martin ran onto a delightful through slide-rule ball from Kieran Rice and finished strongly for the equaliser. What should have followed was a lock-up job and the boys could have gone home happy with a point away to a strong team, but instead Brockham’s tails were up, they felt they were in the ascendancy and went for the winner. Unfortunately they left themselves exposed at the back and conceded an unnecessary goal with a minute remaining.
The team showed great spirit to battle back from two down, and can be confident their performance level is still improving, but they also learnt a very tough lesson.
Man of the match: Luke Brightman
