Badgers U10A 0 - 3 Albury Ospreys (South Surrey Boys League)

Badgers versus Albury has been one of the fixtures of the season for many seasons.  Saturday's game was another classic.

Both teams gave no quarter in a sizzling first-half.

Jack Duncan and Henry Lucas were like a bullet-proof shield.  Jack's distribution and clearances were superb.  Henry brought the ball out from the back with confidence and skill.  It was always going to be a hard game for the defenders and Henry in particular was the victim of a number of rough challenges. 

Even so, Albury were still fizzing shots at goal.  A number of times we waited for the net to ripple only for George "The Cat" Lees to stun us all with his acrobatic saves.  George made a number of top quality saves throughout the game.

Toby Evans is starting to remind us of Patrick Vieira.  He's always in the right place, strong in the tackle, never gives up on chasing opponents and works hard for the team. 

Morgan Hamilton was defending well.  He's a real all-round star for the team and his work at the back drew lots of praise from the parents on the sidelines.  The Badgers really needed him and Morgan put in another fine performance.  His team play was excellent.

Eventually Ezra Charles' hard work started to bring about a few chances.  He'd worked hard making runs down the left and put in a few crosses that caused problems.  Late in the first-half Ezra had a chance.  Under pressure from the defender he didn't make the contact he'd have liked.  On another day he may have won the penalty.

Half-Time: Brockham Badgers 0 Albury Ospreys 0

The second-half saw a virtuoso performance by the super-gifted Oliver Yeates.  He was like a will-o-the-wisp gliding away from challenges and set up chances for others.  At times it was breathtaking.  Standing next to the substituted Morgan and Ezra later on their admiration of Oliver could be in no doubt.

Oliver was amazing and should take great heart from his dazzling display.

Brockham really took a hold of the game in the second-half and looked the more likely to score.  But then a free-kick was dispatched into the top corner and Albury took the lead.  It was a fine strike and George almost tipped it over.

George would go on to make some of the best saves I've ever seen at this level.  It was without doubt the best goalkeeping performance seen over the last 4 years by and keeper.   One save where he dived to his right seemed to defy the laws of gravity.  Later on he made a double-save that was stunning.  George was brave and in control.  He threw the ball out quickly and also kicked it from his hands when he needed to.

Oliver Quigley did well when he came on.  He continued from the previous week showing a bite in the tackle and a real determination.  Oliver Q is improving every week. 

We're all fans of The Two Olivers.

Adam Bower put in a number of runs and tackled hard for the team.  There wasn't much to be had up front by this time.  Adam gave it everything though and we all know there are more goals to come from this little dynamo.

Albury followed up with two more late goals for a deserved if  flattering win.

Full-Time: Brockham Badgers 0 Albury Ospreys 3

  

Man of The Match: George Lees an unforgettable display of goalkeeping (Gordon Banks, Lev Yashin, Dino Zoff, Sepp Maier, Bruce Grobelaar, Joe Hart…who are ya!)

Squad: George Lees, Jack Duncan, Henry Lucas, Toby Evans, Morgan Hamilton, Oliver Yeates, Oliver Quigley, Ezra Charles and Adam Bower

Report by Jason Charles

Badgers U9 Barbarians 3 - 3 Roffey Robins (Horsham & District League)

Having run out convincing winners in the away match against Roffey Robins, the Barbarians came into the home fixture with reason to believe they should do well once more.

Complacency seemed not to be an issue as the Barbarians worked as hard as ever, however the Robins deserve great credit for a much more competitive performance than previously. The Robins rode a very early blow with fortitude. At the kick-off Arun Watkins played the ball to Callum Holder, who set off on a mazy run towards the Robins’ goal. As he was confronted with successive opponents, he ignored the pleadings of his coaches to lay the ball off and their ministrations turned to “good goal!” as he left his final challenger sprawling as he put the ball into the net. 1-0 Barbarians after 12 seconds.

Defensively the Barbarians were comfortable at this stage, with Tom Ambrose and William Glenn providing effective cover for goalkeeper Huw Morgan, and feeding the midfield of Bens Mackenzie and Austin with some ease when called upon to do so. After ten minutes the Badgers went 2-0 up with a second goal from Callum Holder, dispatched from a narrow angle following creative work from Jethro Burton.

Much credit to the Robins for their performance from this point on. They battled back hard, and earned themselves the right to be optimistic for the second half by pegging back the deficit to 2-1 at half-time. Shortly after the break the Barbarians paid the penalty for leaving the centre of midfield open to a Robins advance and conceded the equaliser.

The Barbarians is, however, a team which creates many opportunities to score. They gained the lead once more after the penetration of Ben Mackenzie, the tough tackling of Tom Ambrose and the diversionary running of the excellent Lily Turner created the opportunity for Callum Holder to complete another hat-trick from four yards out. Further scoring opportunities came, but were not taken and the Robins sealed a deserved share of the points with a late equaliser, the Barbarians’ own reward preserved with two late saves including a magnificent tip over the bar from ‘keeper Huw Morgan.

Player of the Match: Lily Turner.

Squad: Lily Turner (c), Tom Ambrose, Ben Austin, Jethro Burton, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Huw Morgan, Arun Watkins.

Report by Frank Holder 

Badgers U15A 1 - 3 Wycombe Wanderers (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Despite ultimately going down to a 3-1 defeat at home to strong league title contenders Wycombe Wanderers, Brockham Badgers U15A played their best game of 2011 and possibly their best of the season,

Determined to reverse a losing streak which has seen them concede 16 goals in 4 games since Christmas with only 4 scored, Badgers matched their opponents for long periods with a battling display which saw them come within 10 minutes of a deserved draw

Two late goals including a last-ditch penalty put paid to this but, playing into the wind on a very blustery Big Field, Brockham had gone in a goal up at the break, The pressure they exerted on their opponents paid off just before half time when a Wycombe defender saw his over-hit back pass from almost the half-way line beat the advancing keeper and find the net for a spectacular own goal. The visitors made amends 15 minutes into the second half with a well-taken equaliser, but thereafter Brockham fought manfully to retain parity.

 At the back, skipper Matt Higgins and partner William Bletso were dominant throughout, particularly in the aerial battles, while Jack Wyllie put in a determined showing on the right flank and Harry Ramsey ran at pace at the Wanderers defence at every opportunity. Alex Nicholson again showed what a competent stand-in keeper he is, and in central midfield Mike Richardson and Oli Winter matched their opposite numbers with their most composed showing for quite some time. With eight games remaining, Badgers can take a lot of heart from this performance and be confident of a push up the table.

Squad:  Alex Nicholson, Will Mahoney, Liam Ratcliffe , Matt Higgin (c), Will Bletso, Oli Winter, Mike Richardson, Harvey Mewis, Jack Wylie. George Coffey, Frankie Routledge, Harry Ramsey


Report by Bryan Bletso

Ashford Town 4 - 4 Badgers U14A (Surrey Youth League Premier Elite)

Anything the Premier League can do the Surrey Youth League can do better.  What a game!  The Brockham boys took a whole lot more from this game than just the point.  They proved to themselves that they can compete, they proved they can come back when seemingly buried, but most of all they relearned the tempo and work rate that for years had forged their spirit and yet this season had until now somehow eluded them.

The Badgers were right at the Ashford team from the off, pressing play, winning tackles, and breaking at pace.  It caught their hosts off-guard and unsettled their backline.  Within minutes Brockham had two good chances to take the lead but it took twenty minutes before their persistence paid off.  Sam Lloyd lofted a high cross in from the left and Simon Vakeva-Baird headed home from close range at the far post.

Ashford to their credit stuck to their game plan and gradually started to rein back some possession in the latter stages of the first half.  Some well timed tackles by Tom Hampshire and Justin Tarrant prevented one or two dangerous passages of play developing but the signs were there and there was nothing they could do to prevent the equaliser.   An early strike from range hit the foot of the Badgers upright, bounced out to the penalty spot from where a clearance merely fell back for the Ashford striker to lift over James Rabbetts in goal.

Brockham came back out for the second half with the same tempo as they started the first.  Things looked promising until an innocuous shot from Ashford found the net.  Rabbetts seemingly had the save covered but the ball bounced in front of him as he stretched to reach it and he watched mournfully as it went over his arms and rolled over the line.

It was still all to play for and both teams were competing strongly for a narrow advantage until two suicidal incidents of miscommunication between defence and keeper gifted Ashford a three goal lead.  Two silly mistakes and the Badgers were 4-1 down with five minutes to play and seemingly down an out of a game they didn’t deserve to be losing by such a margin.

The boys had other ideas however.  With new found resolve they mustered themselves for an almighty last effort to salvage something if only pride.   From the spot kick a midfield surge saw Ashford concede a free kick.  Jack Coppin whipped in a dangerous ball to the six yard area from where Tarrant finished with his right following a goal-mouth pinball.

Two minutes later a clearance found Lloyd lurching on the edge of the area.  He got a shot off but it was blocked by the Ashford defence.  The rebound span out to Coppin in the 18 yard D from where he lifted a peach of a left foot shot into the net.

With only seconds on the clock the Brockham manager half jokingly asked for another.  The Ashford centre kick was brought forward in midfield but the advance was quickly closed down by Hampshire and Tarrant.  Lloyd pinched possession and with a quick look up he saw Jordan Martin free on the left.  An inspired lofted pass of 30 yards into space was met by Martin running at pace.  This was his moment.  So many similar chances had passed this season but somehow he picked the most challenging of all to drive coolly past the Ashford keeper and level the game.

The boys celebrated in style and deservedly so.  They can build on this and enjoy once again the fantastic team spirit that has seen them good for so long.

Lad of the Match:  Sam Lloyd

Report by Jason Rabbetts

Badgers U9A 2 - 2 Bookham Colts U9A (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division)

Brockham kicked off this match at tempo, playing the best passing football of their lives and their supporters loved it; the only crucial thing missing was a goal. Brockham dominated the first half and should have been three up by the interval but as has happened on numerous occasions this season Brockham had not converted pressure into goals. After the interval Brockham looked like a different team and were caught watching the game being played around them and sure enough Bookham stuck one in the net, shortly followed by a second; much to the frustration of the noisy home crowd. Coach Rabbetts could only administer verbal smelling salts in an attempt to rouse his team and get them back into the game. It seemed to work and after 15 minutes of the second half Brockham awoke from their slumber and started playing football once again. Joss Hunt broke down the right and whipped a perfect cross into the Bookham penalty area where Joe Rabbetts hit the ball cleanly to narrow the deficit and bring some hope to the home team and its supporters.

Brockham continued to pile on the pressure, with excellent tackling by George Wryde winning numerous corners for Brockham but as the game entered stoppage time the elusive second goal wouldn’t come. Ed Russ then won the ball in his own penalty area and ran the length of the pitch, passing 2 opposition players before being brought down in the Bookham penalty area, fortunately Joe Rabbetts was on hand to finish and bring the score all square. Brockham continued to push and the ref blew the final whistle as the ball was heading for the Bookham goal; had the game lasted a further 5 seconds Brockham would have taken all 3 points. If this match were a 3 course meal we would have had foie gras to start, tripe as a main and perfectly executed crème brulée for dessert. The only thing missing was The Champagne but that can stay on ice until next week.

Man of the Match: George Wryde

Report by Rick Russ

Badgers U12A 1 - 3 Dorkinians (Horsham and District B League)

Someone's 100% record had to give as the two unbeaten teams in League B came head to head on the Big Field.


Despite playing into a strong breeze in the first half Brockham weren't blown away by Dorkinians fast, neat passing and firm but fair tackling. Dorkinians we soon building pressure on the Badger goal but their third successive corner was cleared by Killick to Tiley and a lightning break ended with the visiting keeper scrambling to collect in his own area. Dorking found success on their left flank and opened the scoring on 16 minutes with a good shot from the edge of the box. A minute later they doubled their advantage with a sharp finish from a left wing cross for 2-0. The Badger defence had to be at their best to stop Dorkinians running riot, keeper Potts saving on the line, ever reliable Lane recovering to thwart another attack and then covering to clear when Potts had been beaten. Vaughan cleared well from the resulting corner and Brockham ended on the attack with half chances for Turner and Teague.


With the wind behind them in the second half Brockham inflicted early pressure on the goal at the "Pavilion End". Turner set up Wickens whose shot was saved but Dorkinians countered and Potts made a fine save from a long shot. Thomas broke down the left with a strong run to win a corner but Dorking came back again to force Potts to make an even better save - standing up to the oncoming striker and getting a strong hand out to parry the shot clear. Finally Brockham's efforts were rewarded with a great goal on the counter attack - Turner cleared to Teague in the centre circle who touched it around his opponent, put a ball through the defence and set off in chase. Thomas came in from the right, beating Teague and the defender to the ball and poked it past the keeper and into the net. 1-2 game on...


Despite being reduced to 10 men by injury Dorking broke again to win a corner, which wasn't cleared properly. Badgers lost possession on the edge of the box and two sharp passes later the ball was in the back of their net again to give their opponents a decisive 3-1 lead.


Brockham fought back again and ended the match on the front foot, with the ref (Phil) emulating Clive Thomas by blowing for full time as the corner came across.


It was a typically brave and strong performance by Brockham and they were only beaten by a team who should probably already be in the A Division. Dorkinians march on unbeaten to certain promotion but Brockham should still be good for 2nd place - and there's always the rematch on 2 April to look forward to!


Man of the Match was goalkeeper Sam Potts who kept Brockham in the game with some great saves and covered his whole goal area like a young, uncorrupted Bruce Grobelaar (ask your parents kids!)


Squad: Toby Barnes, Kemal Dogansoy, Jamie Donegan, Daniel Killick, Dominic Lane, Sam Potts, Jacob Purcell, Joe Teague, Wilbur Tiley, Will Thomas, Ollie Turner, Jacob Vaughan, George Warne, Harry Wickens


Report by Ian Thomas

Heron Olympic 2 - 4 Badgers U16A (Horsham & District B League)

A game switched to the Big Field in Brockham saw Brockham eventually run out 4-2 winners over a battling Heron side,

Heron had pegged Badgers back twice from 1-0 and 2-0, but two goals in the final 12 minutes at last gave Brockham some daylight over their opponents.

With a strong wind to contend with, Brockham played well in the first half to contain Heron, Brockham creating the clearest chances when Aaron Clark and Henry Hill went close.

The game sparked into life in the second half when Will Bletso did well to get to a ball, his long clearance finding Stephen Kehl in space behind the Heron defence, Kehl slotting the ball home.  Badgers sat back and after a couple of close scares, Heron equalised when Brockham were caught short at the back after failing to clear.  Kehl once more gave the lead to the Brockham side, a good pass back by lad of the match Joe Parker seeing Kehl score well from 12 yards, but again Heron came back, scoring after a mix up in the Badgers defence.

But Brockham kept going and a great free kick from Charlie Holmes placed on a pin head into the Heron 6 yard was met by captain Tom Bletso and Henry Hill, Hill doing well to direct the ball past the Heron keeper to claim the goal and make it 3-2.  Soon after Aaron Clark made it 4-2 to let Badgers at last breath a little more easily, Brockham just about deserving their win.

Squad: Connor Mitchell, Henry Smith, Joe Parker, Tom Bletso (c), Jack Hunt, Charlie Holmes, Mike Carty, Henry Hill, Will Bletso, Aaron Clark, Stephen Kehl, Tim Hopkins, Ollie Legg

Report by Bryan Bletso

Ewhurst Rams 1 - 13 Badgers U10A (South Surrey Boys League)

It was a cold windy morning that blew Brockham Badgers into Ewhurst for their game on Saturday.  On a regular size pitch, but with larger goals than Brockham are accustomed to, we witnessed what has come to be known as "a game of two halves".

For much of the first-half a subdued Brockham were mostly absent in midfield.  There seemed little bite, no support and on many occasions the midfield seemed to be playing in front of the forwards.

Morgan Hamilton kept Brockham in the game as Ewhurst hit shots from around the edge of the area.  Morgan was the best player on the pitch in that first half.  But even he could not keep Ewhurst out forever.  Eventually one had to go in and it was hard to see where the reply would come from.  Even so…

George Lees was making good progress down the right.  George battled hard and his feet were like a couple of pieces of flint being rubbed together.  He tried on many occasions to cross the ball but was often thwarted by two or three defenders at a time.  He really was a danger man and Ewhurst had to be on their game to keep him out.

Ezra Charles was frustrated in attack by lack of service and finding himself having to work further and further back to compensate.  He did eventually manage a trick or two to find Adam Bower who finished well at the far post.

Then something very subtle happened that seemed to galvanise the team.  Oliver Yeates was on for Ezra and working well at bringing the ball out from the back.  When one of his acclaimed passes was picked off by Ewhurst Oliver Quigley went to recover it.  Oliver Q showed a determination, relentlessness in the tackle and a will to succeed that we had not seen before.  He won the ball, played the pass and was making an angle for the return.

The whistle blew just as the tide was turning…

Half-Time: Ewhurst Rams 1 Brockham Badgers 1

The second half couldn't have been anymore different than the first-half.  There were no clouds in the sky but it was suddenly raining goals.  Adam Bower sewed up a hat-trick with some excellent finishing.  Adam is developing a trademark swivel at the far post for crosses coming in from the right.  He certainly did the trick on Saturday.

Oliver Yeates helped himself to a hat-trick too.  Oliver was now running though with the ball and setting up goals.  He even  gave one to Ezra he could have easily taken for himself.   Now that's some team player.

Ezra completed a hat-trick of hat-tricks for the Badgers.  Morgan Hamilton got the goal he'd been looking for and deserved.  Late on Joe Allen scored a screamer to rival Jack Duncan's spectacular drive from last week.  The ever-dependable Toby Evans scored a well-deserved first for the A-team too.  And Henry Lucas set up wave after wave of counter-attacks

Again, Oliver Quigley caught the eye.  His goal was sandwiched between the other twelve in the second half but it stood out for the way he got it. 

Oliver gracefully skipped past a couple of defenders to get into the box, was dispossessed but then won it back again; nothing was going to hold this boy back.  As defenders sought to block, tackle and harry him away from goal Oliver did not give up.  He showed strength and character and a belief in himself that was a joy to watch.

Oliver's goal was all about grit and physical strength.  He would not be denied.  And the determination he showed which seemed to ignite The Badgers earlier on was rewarded with a fine individual goal.

Full-Time: Ewhurst Rams 1 Brockham Badgers 13

Man of The Match: Oliver Quigley (He's shown us great skill all season, on Saturday he showed bravery and commitment too – a fine performance)

Squad: Morgan Hamilton, Joe Allen, Henry Lucas, Toby Evans, Oliver Quigley, Adam Bower, Oliver Yeates, Ezra Charles and George Lees

Report by Jason Charles

Badgers U9A 1 - 4 Leatherhead FC (Epsom & Ewell League Premier Division)

Following last weeks’ hard fought draw away at Epsom Eagles, Brockham went into this match with a high level of confidence and came out playing attacking football. Some great runs by Will Timmons, goods skills by Joe Rabbetts and solid tackling by George Wryde at left back meant that Brockham were looking the better team during the early stages. A great run down the right by Owen Knowles followed by a perfect cross was met by Joe Rabbetts with an accomplished finish, 1-0. Brockham continued to apply pressure with Leatherhead counter attacking and on the stroke of half time Leatherhead got one back.

The late first half goal buoyed Leatherhead who came out meaning business in the second half, whilst Brockham seemed a shadow of their former selves. Leatherhead shot over the bar and that was soon followed by a brace of goals leaving Brockham 1-3 down after 10 minutes of the half. Brockham picked themselves up and pushed forward , forcing corners and creating shots on goal but they couldn’t find the back of the net. Sam Church battled in midfield for Brockham but that was not enough and Brockham were down and out when Leatherhead broke again to put away their fourth. A positive first half by Brockham, but they’ll have to maintain their concentration for the whole 50 minutes if they are going to take points from teams such as Leatherhead.

  

Man of the Match: Sam Church

Report by Rick Russ

Horsham Sparrows 1 - 2 Badgers U9 Barbarians (Horsham & District League)

YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD BADGER DOWN!

A combination of bad weather and a sparse fixture list having prevented a ball being kicked in anger for more than two months, it was going to be interesting to see how rusty the Brockham Badgers U9 Barbarians were after their enforced break.

The corresponding home fixture having been a close encounter with the Barbarians overturning a 1-2 deficit with two late goals, there was always going to be a need for the team to be at their best. The opening ten minutes saw Horsham dominating play, assisted by a lack of cohesiveness amongst the Barbarians. A tendency to dwell on the ball in midfield and attack, along with some misplaced passes enabled the opposition to put considerable pressure on the visitors’ defence. Horsham gained their reward when the constant penetration of their strongest player led to a goal from close range.

Some questionable refereeing decisions, including the denial of a clear penalty for a foul on striker Callum Holder served only to stiffen the resolve of a team not unused to recovering from losing positions. The Barbarians have this season shown that they are not easily cowed, and following a reorganisation of the line-up at half-time, came out fighting. William Glenn, Tom Ambrose and Jethro Burton henceforth limited the Horsham attack to very few opportunities, and Lily Turner, Ben Austin and Ben Mackenzie became a much more creative and effective midfield force, stretching the play wide and providing forwards Arun Watkins and Callum Holder with a steady supply of good ball.

With ten minutes to go, Horsham gave way to the stronger will of the Brockham team. Good work down the right wing saw Arun Watkins force the ball to the far post where Callum Holder reacted quicker than his marker to slide the ball past the oncoming ‘keeper. 1-1 and the tide turned.

The Badgers sniffed a winner in the air, and constant attacking pressure saw a corner won on the left side. A Ben Mackenzie corner evaded the Horsham defence, reaching Callum Holder at the far side of the penalty area. A deft lob and the ball rested in the back of the net for Holder’s 20^th goal in ten games. There were hearts in mouths late in the game when a mishit clearance was returned goal-wards at considerable pace requiring a good save from a nerveless Huw Morgan. Victory for a team which does not know how to quit, and which understands very well that doing the right things earns the reward more often than not.

Men of the Match: Tom Ambrose & Callum Holder.

Squad: Lily Turner (c), Tom Ambrose, Ben Austin, Jethro Burton, William Glenn, Callum Holder, Ben Mackenzie, Huw Morgan, Arun Watkins.

Report by Frank Holder