Points are proving difficult to find in 2012 for Brockham Badgers U15A, and so it proved as they went down by two goals to nil at Manorcroft this Sunday. No points from five games since the turn of the year leaves them looking over their shoulders only four points clear of relegation with some difficult games to come. A poor run they have to halt.
It doesn’t help that goalkeeper James Rabbetts has been in an out with injuries all season, and is now a long term absentee. Justin Tarrant and Jack Coppin both admirably volunteering to stand in during his absence. A number of key players are also yet to hit any sort of form in 2012. Losses to be fair have been narrow in score line and on occasion not necessarily a reflection of the performance on the pitch, as Brockham have dominated at times and rarely been outplayed. Alex Mitrovic is also new to the team, leading the forward line, and still coming to terms with his team mates and Brockham’s style of play. These are excuses but also crumbs of comfort from which to draw some confidence.
Manorcroft took the lead after fifteen minutes with a fortunate goal. Stand in keeper Tarrant had advanced a long way off his line and the Manorcroft winger lofted an opportunistic ball from range which dropped into the net. The game was still up for grabs. Brockham should have upped the tempo and gone at the Manorcroft boys with their normal high speed pressing game, but instead they allowed their opposition to dictate the pace of the game. At times it was snail like, and Manorcroft simply parked the bus with two banks of four in a well organised defensive shape.
Things improved marginally midway through the second half but the final ball in the final third was lacking and on far too many occasions possession was given away with a sloppy pass. Manorcroft were all hustle and bustle without creativity and bundled a second in with twenty minutes remaining. Brockham continued to dominate possession but again the incisive pass, the tempo, and the desire seemed to be missing from the efforts of too many players.
If the Badgers are to salvage anything from this season it is these key players that need to muster themselves and the team and demand performances. Two or three leaders need to establish themselves. Conceding without a keeper is understandable but failing to score against an average team who for large parts of the game played with only ten men is a concern. This Brockham side are capable of beating anyone on their day, as some of their victories this season are evidence. It’s time for a response.
Man of the Match: Luc Jhugroo and Simon Vakeva-Baird