Brockham Badgers U16A were in complete control throughout this match but equally struggled to make it count, and arguably could have found themselves in a spot of bother had James Rabbetts not had one of his best days in goal.
The Badgers never really got out of third gear to notch an important three points towards their title challenge, but it wasn’t a case of cruising to victory, more one of those games where they managed to get away without having to put in as much as they should have. Other than a couple of frights when Epsom & Ewell got in behind Brockham’s defensive line and challenged Rabbetts the first half was a dull affair when Brockham failed to press their obvious quality into any advantage.
Joe Silver and Jack Coppin were always a menacing threat on either flank but didn’t challenge their opposite numbers as much as they might, but when given the opportunity their runs would draw the Colts defence to them and open up space for Michael Cheesman and Sam Lloyd through the middle.
It was a ball down the Colts’ flank that opened the opportunity for Brockham’s first goal in the early minutes of the second half. The ball was put out for a corner which Silver stepped up to take instead of the nominated Lloyd. Silver’s delivery wasn’t exactly copy book but to his credit he got an assist when the Colts defence failed to clear the danger and Cheeseman poked in his thirteenth competitive goal of the season from close range.
Injuries ravaged Brockham’s balance after that with Chris Parsons, Simon Vakeva-Baird, and Sam Lloyd all having to come off. Brockham’s back line, particularly Luc Jhugroo, kept themselves well organised however, and Rabbetts built further confidence with another important save when it seemed easier to score.
From his save he punted a direct ball down the throat of the Colts’ centre backs. Silver’s pace got him there first from where he placed a first touch ball behind Epsom & Ewell’s defensive line for Lloyd to run onto. Lloyd still had a fair bit to do, shrugging off a strong challenge, but impressively finished by calmly passing the ball into the net from fifteen yards out.
Brockham eased back into their comfort zone again and saw the game out.
Man of the Match: Sam Lloyd
