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
