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
