A highly competitive match between local rivals Westcott 1935 Youth and Brockham Badgers U16A resulted in a fair draw.
It was less of the cliché game of two halves and more of a game of identical halves. Two goals in the opening minutes of each half, one for each team, were all the highlights of a scrappy match compromised by conditions and opposing playing styles.
Oscar Cremmen opened the scoring for the Badgers with a poke in from short range following a goal mouth scramble from Sam Lloyd’s early corner in the first two minutes. This was then immediately countered by a fine strike from 15 yards out by Westcott. A ball through the middle was well intercepted by Luc Jhugroo but a strong challenge forced him to the floor. With the defence out of position Westcott took advantage, Dan Huggins picking up the game and hitting the ball across goal with his right and into the side netting.
The remainder of the second half was an uninspiring spectacle. Conditions made any hope of free flowing football difficult and Westcott’s natural second ball game, whilst effective, didn’t give the spectator much of a thrill. There were some strongly contested tackles and the odd dangerous set piece from both teams but the half time whistle was a welcome break in a battle of attrition.
The second half started just as the first had begun. Brockham scored in the first two minutes from the penalty spot after Jordan Martin’s chasing of a lost ball ended with him being grounded by the Westcott keeper. Captain Lloyd stepped up and placed a perfect penalty kick just inside the post.
Westcott immediately replied. Charlie Clarke chased down a fifty-fifty ball in a race with James Rabbetts in the Brockham goal. Both players met the ball at the same time but it popped loose and Clarke chipped it into the goal from distance despite a valiant effort from Simon Vakeva-Baird to make a last ditched attempt of clearing off the line.
The balance of the game then resumed very much the same script as the first half. Long and high balls, knock downs, battles for the second ball, and neither team really asserting any great advantage.
Man of the Match: Oliver Gout
