Brockham Badgers U16A secured six vital points in their pursuit of the Surrey Youth League Division 1 title this weekend in a double header versus Sheen Lions at a wet and muddy Big Field.
A backlog of fixtures as a result of the winter weather and two good cup runs meant Brockham had the tricky challenge of two back to back matches in one day. This really was a six pointer. Both Sheen and Brockham are chasing the title and an advantage to either after this weekend would have a strong influence on the outcome of the season.
Brockham had a dream start to the first match scoring within five minutes when Joe Silver crossed a ball from the right which Cheeseman slid in to connect with. His strike rebounded off the keeper to Jack Coppin who passed the ball into the back of the net from six yards out.
In confident mood the Badgers controlled the first half from then on in with the back five in particularly organised and dangerous form, passing out from defence and building attacks. This defensive control helped take Brockham into the break two to the good with some attractive football and the most impressive goal of the game. A short ball from Vakeva-Baird in central defence was received by Oscar Cremmen in the centre of midfield. His incisive pass between full back and centre half set Coppin off on a run down the left from where he pinged a dangerous cross between Sheen’s penalty spot and six yard box. Cheeseman timed his run magnificently and slammed the ball in first time.
Sheen caught Brockham napping early in the second period following a lofted ball over the Badgers’ rear guard. James Rabbetts rushed out of his area and met the ball with a brave guided header to his full back but it was intercepted and the Sheen striker guided the ball over a retreating Rabbetts giving him no chance.
Brockham were not to be distracted though. They continued to dominate possession and frustrated the visitors with some excellent teamwork extinguishing threats at will across the park. Cheeseman added his second of the game and took the result beyond Sheen with ten minutes to play with a solo effort that saw him chase down a lost ball that was odds on to be gathered by the keeper. His urgency and enthusiasm caught the Sheen keeper by surprise and forced a fumble which was then followed by a scrambled tackle from a Sheen defender that turned into an assist for Cheeseman who poked the ball across the line from short range. Brockham had their first three points of the day.
Fresh legs came into midfield for the second game with the impressive Lewis Wood and Sam Lloyd being relieved of midfield duties by George Gomes and Sam Kandalaft. Both were very able deputies. Gomes broke up play at will and Kandalaft’s quick feet and silky ball skills sucked in tackle after committed tackle, opening space for himself to play.
Sheen were not to be underestimated though. They came at the Badgers determined not to roll over and concede another three points easily. If it weren’t for some heroic goalkeeping by Rabbetts the first half of this second game could have swung Sheen’s way. Several excellent decisions to come off his line, a tip over from under the bar, and an incredible dive low down to his left to palm away a certain headed goal from a Sheen corner, were all commended by the gathered spectators.
After fifteen minutes it was Brockham who struck again however. Gomes found Coppin who ran on ten yards at the Sheen back line before threading a through ball down the centre for Cheeseman to chase. Cheeseman shrugged off a challenge and placed his finish around the keeper impressively with his weaker right foot.
Five minutes later Brockham scored a second. Kandalaft’s maestro skills bought him a yard in midfield from where he played a slide rule pass behind the Sheen back line for Coppin to pick up and run at goal. From twenty yards out he curled an absolute beauty of a strike over the Sheen keeper and into the top far right corner of the goal.
Brockham shut down the game from there on in. Organised and in control they continued to snuff out any attacks and retain possession with great maturity. A good weekend’s work made up for the miserable conditions.
Man of the Match: James Rabbetts
